The Ultimate Hard and Fast debt clearing mission

Birdie85

I'm glad it's not just me calling her Little Gracie!

Hunger Games was pretty good but loooooong and I think we'd have understood it a lot more if we'd read the book first (I know, I know... I'm usually the first to complain about people doing that! ). The worst thing was that we were in a jam packed theatre with loads of groups of teenagers who started to lose interest about halfway through so started amusing themselves by laughing really loudly, and gasping, and booing and cheering, even clapping at one point! I was that grumpy old woman saying, 'Oh, is there nothing worse that being surrounded by youths!'

shrimpy_80

I might have already mentioned this but when I went to see Harry Potter in 3d there were a group of teens at the front of the cinema making fart noises (I was just looking for the rolly eye smiley but forgot it doesn't exist any more!)

Glad to hear everyone is doing well NIM and thank you for letting us know.

One of my cats loves the washing machine, he sits staring at it for hours whether its on or not, but he is a little special.

totallybonkers

Long time lurker dropping in to say congratulations and best wishes to the new family. Beautiful name and all the best, looking forward to seeing some pics x

Dinah93

Thought I'd take some time to give you a proper update today. Thank you for all your messages and well wishes, they are much appreciated and I have been reading, although not nessisarily had time to reply.

Grace continues to be a fighter. She is currently jaundiced and sunning herself under a lamp to kick start her liver. Her breathing is getting stronger, and we're hopeful they'll be trying her off the ventilator in the next day or so. Her big achievement today is she's off morphine and antibiotics, and she's having her first feed of milk, which hopefully will put some meat on her bones. It's amazing though, they have her on 0.5ml of milk per hour, it's hard to comprehend how little that is.

I do at least feel like with the milk I can finally do something to benefit her, although I'm amazed how much time it takes to get a tiny pot full. I'm hopeful in a few days things may get a bit easier and more plentiful.

She's met her Irish grandpa today, and her English uncle is meeting her tonight. So many people wanted to meet her today I considered selling tickets (all profits to the NICU of course). Irish grandad brought her a lovely bag of Monsoon baby clothes, most of which she could use as a cot cover. There is a pair of mittens which I actually think we could fit all of her inside.

I can't remember if we explained at the time, but she was a day early after my platlets fell again and my liver started to fail overnight on Sunday. They told me they could wait until Tuesday if I really wanted, however they can only do a spinal anaesthetic on someone with a platelet count over 100, after that it's a general due to the risk of bleeding. On Monday morning mine was 104, down from 178 on Saturday morning... so we decided it was better just to do it. I got a bit of a sense that they thought it was urgent by the fact they said if I chose to do it Monday (conversation at about 10am) they'd put me in the first slot at noon and push everyone else back as they didn't want to risk my count falling during the day. Despite all this it was still considered an elective rather than an emergency c-section, meaning NIM was in there with me and even got to cut Grace's cord.

I was suprised by how positive I found the c-section experience, everyone seems to see it as a worst case scenario, but so far for me it has been a good thing. It's only 3 days on and while I wouldn't be able to lift a baby, I could hold one to feed it if it were handed to me. The c-section itself wasn't in any way scary, and because I was only under a spinal I didn't feel out of it at any point. I was very very sore the first two days, however I can now get up from the bed easily, walk quite a long way (we worked out I did over 3k yesterday!), although my underwear is really annoying the scar (which I'm pleased to say is so low down I could actually still wear a bikini if I were ever to regain my tummy). All in all so far not the worst case scenario for a bith people seem to fear.

archersluck wrote: »

Welcome to the world Grace, gorgeous names. Are any of them family names? And Congrats proud parents, I think Jesus understand the need for a pint nim! Sounds like she's doing great so far OH and I are killing 13 hours in a tiny town between buses and this is def the most exciting news of the day! X

Nancy was NIMs granny who passed away a few weeks before we conceived Grace, we've always felt a bit like she sent her to us. Apparently Nancy was also my dad's grandma's name (or middle name, I got confused) I was told last night - he's never mentioned this himself so don't know if he's aware. Alison is my mum, I can only hope Grace and I have a relationship like we do. The name Grace is all her own though, we just thought it seemed right for her.

Birdie85 wrote: »

So glad to hear that your girls are well NIM Is Dinah still in hospital? Have they given a timeline on how long Grace (who, by the way, is called Little Gracie in my head! ) will be in the NICU? The pics on FB are so cute, she's just so teeny tiny but perfect; it's difficult to tell just how small she is though, how 'tall' (long?!) is she?

Very much still in hospital. They don't seem keen on discharging me anytime soon. Blood pressure is still very high, so they're taking time to try to work out a new combination of medications which will work for me. While I would like to be with NIM, I can't say I actually mind too much, as Grace is here and I'd only need to be coming over here twice every day anyway for morning rounds and then an evening visit. Mum is off school for the next 2 weeks so she can drive me to and from the hospital once NIM goes back to work, and then when she goes back I'll have to ask my dad. It's not ideal but there's not much else I can do until I can drive again. This way at least I feel like my focus is all on her, and I'm right here if she needs me (although lets face it the 24/7 team of baby doctors are probably a lot more use).

Cinny91 wrote: »

Sounds like Grace is doing so well! And I'm so glad Dinah's getting on well too. Second Birdie, any idea what kind of time frame you're looking at for her?

I can't help calling her Little Gracie (in an irish accent!) in my head either, hoping NIM and Dinah don't mind the nickname

Time frame for me to escape will be sometime in the next 2-5 days I would think. Gracie will likely be here until around when she was due (mid June).

starnac wrote: »

Ah just logged on to see how things went today and I'm a day behind.

Glad things are well. Sounds like little Grace is a fighter. And what a lovely name.

Take care Dinah and NIM. We are praying for the three of you here and if you dont mind I will add you to our prayer list for the church to pray for you too. (please let me know if you are not comfortable with this)

May God bless you as you start the wonderful journey of parenthood

In no way uncomfortable, feel very blessed you'd include us.

Birdie85

Ah it's so nice to hear from you Dinah and I'm glad you're doing well! :j

I've just seen your videos on FB and she certainly is a little fighter, all kicky/punchy arms and legs bless her!

Are you allowed to spend much time in the NICU with her? It must be quite nice in a way that you're there with her all the time.

I'm glad you found the birth to be a positive thing too, must really help your frame of mind right now.

Flower08

Great to hear from you Dinah and glad to hear Grace is doing well. I cant even begin to imagine how small she must be, but she certainly sounds like a little fighter!
Looking forward to seeing some pictures.

Take care of yourself xx

Dinah93

I can visit her any time 24/7 so long as they're not doing invasive procedures on another baby in the room, or during rounds when they talk to another baby's family. It's great if you can't sleep at 2am, you can just wander along and have a peek in and see her sleeping and be reassured.

Swinstie73

Glad to hear all is well Dinah (and Nim, and not forgetting Grace), thanks for adding me again to FB, just going to pop on and see the pics. Take care and get loads of rest, you'll need it for the next 16+ years! x

ruby_eskimo

So glad to hear everything is going well Dinah!

clearmydebts

Thanks for the update Dinah. Grace sounds like a fighter. I am glad the C-section was a positive experience. A lot of my friends have had them, including my sister, and like you, have had good experiences. It must feel so strange to be a mum when she wasn't due until June.

Belated Happy Birthday Cinny and Zig. It's a popular day, I know 3 other people (not including little Grace) with their birthdays on the same day.

How are the eyes Birdie?