I'm ready. So very ready.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Tomorrow!
Tomorrow. It's all happening tomorrow. Tomorrow, we will get to see our Tehilla for the first time.
Monday, September 23, 2013
A Week Away
We are just a week away. Just a week until we get to see our baby girl's little face. At this point, we are feeling stronger and calmer than ever. Every now and then we sit up straight and say "It's all happening next week."
My prayer is the same that it has always been. "Hashem (G-d), please let our baby live, so she may be a source of praise for You. When people see her grow and, G-d willing, thrive, they will know that they are watching a miracle." This is the reason for her name, which literally means "praise" in Hebrew. Her name came to us before her diagnosis and once we knew what was happening, there really was no other name suitable. It is why we have called her by her name throughout this whole ordeal. Because for us, at this point, she already was a source of praise for G-d.
When the time is right, we will have a party for her and be able to explain more about her name.
My prayer is the same that it has always been. "Hashem (G-d), please let our baby live, so she may be a source of praise for You. When people see her grow and, G-d willing, thrive, they will know that they are watching a miracle." This is the reason for her name, which literally means "praise" in Hebrew. Her name came to us before her diagnosis and once we knew what was happening, there really was no other name suitable. It is why we have called her by her name throughout this whole ordeal. Because for us, at this point, she already was a source of praise for G-d.
When the time is right, we will have a party for her and be able to explain more about her name.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Baby Day!
I finally got the date. October 1st! It's the perfect day to have a baby.
I go to the hospital two days earlier, to get checked out and everything. Usually, it's just a day before, but because of the circumstances, they'd like the extra day.
Two and a half weeks...
I go to the hospital two days earlier, to get checked out and everything. Usually, it's just a day before, but because of the circumstances, they'd like the extra day.
Two and a half weeks...
Surgeon Appointment
On Monday, I had my appointment with our
surgeon, Dr. Erez. Before that, I met with a geneticist who plans on
collecting DNA and data from the baby, to research HLHS.
Dr. Erez is really an incredible doctor. I feel so blessed that Hashem has provided us with doctors that are world renown, as well as completely devoted to their patients and the families. The appointment went incredibly well, relieving me of certain worries. The c-secion will be scheduled for the week of September 29th, although due to an "obtuse" secretary, we still don't have the exact date yet.
One of the things that Dr. Erez said was that the baby's aorta size was not a problem. In fact, his words were "it's great! 3 mm is large. 1 mm would be a problem, but we should be just fine." Sigh of relief taken.
As well, he was very thorough in making sure that I understood the condition, the surgeries, the possible outcomes and how it would impact on every member of our family. He was very happy to see that I was well versed and didn't need any explanation. I explained to him that our pediatric cardiologist, Professor Rein, had been very straightforward in explaining to us that the baby had a 45% chance of living over the age of 5 and that with each (G-d willing) successful surgery, our percentage went up.
With this he corrected me and said, "45? Really, that's what Professor Rein said? No...that's too low. I would say in the 60s, closer even to 70%." Needless to say, I left the appointment with a big smile on my face.
Our only foreseeable problem would be, if something happens and I need to deliver early. Dr. Erez will be out of the country for the next two weeks and he is the only surgeon in Jerusalem that performs the Norwood surgery. We would have to go to Shneider's Children's Hospital in Petach Tikvah.
So, I'm going on bedrest for week 38, drinking a lot, keeping my legs together, and doing what I can to stick to the plan.
Dr. Erez is really an incredible doctor. I feel so blessed that Hashem has provided us with doctors that are world renown, as well as completely devoted to their patients and the families. The appointment went incredibly well, relieving me of certain worries. The c-secion will be scheduled for the week of September 29th, although due to an "obtuse" secretary, we still don't have the exact date yet.
One of the things that Dr. Erez said was that the baby's aorta size was not a problem. In fact, his words were "it's great! 3 mm is large. 1 mm would be a problem, but we should be just fine." Sigh of relief taken.
As well, he was very thorough in making sure that I understood the condition, the surgeries, the possible outcomes and how it would impact on every member of our family. He was very happy to see that I was well versed and didn't need any explanation. I explained to him that our pediatric cardiologist, Professor Rein, had been very straightforward in explaining to us that the baby had a 45% chance of living over the age of 5 and that with each (G-d willing) successful surgery, our percentage went up.
With this he corrected me and said, "45? Really, that's what Professor Rein said? No...that's too low. I would say in the 60s, closer even to 70%." Needless to say, I left the appointment with a big smile on my face.
Our only foreseeable problem would be, if something happens and I need to deliver early. Dr. Erez will be out of the country for the next two weeks and he is the only surgeon in Jerusalem that performs the Norwood surgery. We would have to go to Shneider's Children's Hospital in Petach Tikvah.
So, I'm going on bedrest for week 38, drinking a lot, keeping my legs together, and doing what I can to stick to the plan.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
What a hero!
We are quite aware of the challenges that Tehilla will face and all the different outcomes, but at least she has a hero to aspire towards. Thank you Meghan, for doing what you do and raising awareness!
Monday, September 2, 2013
Getting there...
I am 35 weeks pregnant, today. Tomorrow, we have the appointment with Professor Rein to check on the baby's heart and to see if the aorta has grown. Next week, we have an appointment with Dr. Erez, our surgeon.
The doctors, social worker and I, all believe that the c-section will be planned for week 39. In our appointment with Dr. Erez, he will give us a date for the Norwood surgery for Tehilla and we will plan the c-section for 2 days prior.
Emotionally, I am doing much better. I'm feeling very positive and hopeful. We have completed most of everything necessary to do before the baby comes.
Physically, this girl packs a mean kick. But I'm thankful for each and every one of them. I've had a lot of contractions and I'm being closely monitored. The last thing we need is for me to go into labor in the middle of the night.
I'll update tomorrow, after the appointment.
The doctors, social worker and I, all believe that the c-section will be planned for week 39. In our appointment with Dr. Erez, he will give us a date for the Norwood surgery for Tehilla and we will plan the c-section for 2 days prior.
Emotionally, I am doing much better. I'm feeling very positive and hopeful. We have completed most of everything necessary to do before the baby comes.
Physically, this girl packs a mean kick. But I'm thankful for each and every one of them. I've had a lot of contractions and I'm being closely monitored. The last thing we need is for me to go into labor in the middle of the night.
I'll update tomorrow, after the appointment.
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