Here is our continued story on Miss Gracie and how our pregnancy progressed. I am entering several journal entry posts from the year 2013 when I was pregnant with Gracie. If you have missed her story from #1-4, here they are! Blog #1, Blog #2, Blog #3, Blog #4
Caring Bridge Website, a site dedicated to helping people tell their stories to family and friends while going through difficult times. Here is the link to Gracie’s story.
Journal Entry October 13, 2013 Today was just a quick check of my blood pressure and baby’s heartbeat. This time they found the heartbeat without having to bring the bedside ultrasound table in. It was in the 140s. She seems to be fighting and I feel her move usually all day every day. Next check up is Friday, October 18, 2013. Another heartbeat check. After this appointment, they plan to wait two weeks and do another ultrasound at that point. This Thursday we will be at 22 weeks. Amazing that she has fought this long. I hope she keeps up her fight.
Journal Entry October 18, 2013 Was admitted to the hospital today because I had a fever, chills, dizziness, and severe abdominal cramping. Within 2 hours I had changed from no dilation to 1 cm dilated. We were then sent to a delivery suite where I ended up having cramping almost all night. Tylenol helped with the pain, but never took it away completely. I didn’t get much sleep that night. With no progression with my cramping, they didn’t check me again for dilation till the following night, on Saturday. Though baby Gracie kicked me the entire time, we were expecting to deliver her. Since, we had no change in dilation, the hospital sent me home. We spent the night again at the hospital as it was around 9 pm when the doctor checked me, so we stayed. The good news…I can potentially stay at 1 cm till term, it is possible. Now, we just have to go back to keeping hope that Gracie stays kicking me the way she has been. I was not put on bed rest as I was told by the doctor there is no proof that bed rest slows the progression of labor. Stress, however, can play a role. So, I hope to take it easy these next few days.
Journal Entry October 30, 2013 I went to the doctor today for an ultrasound. Our little angel Gracie has hydrops around her belly and her lungs, and now more has developed around her heart. Her tiny heart has a hole in it and she has club feet from all of the fluid she has been taking on. Her condition has worsened and today the doctor said she doesn’t have much time left. A percentage of 95% sure that she only has days to a couple weeks left is what he gave me. Here, I thought I was going to hear good news because of how long she has fought. Most Turner babies do not make it this far. I am saddened and feel so terrible for Gracie and what she has to endure. It hurts so bad. I plan to enjoy her kicks as long as she will hang on for. We love you Gracie.
Journal Entry November 8, 2013 Heartbeat was strong today, 160s. Next week I go in for another quick check, then in about 3 weeks, if Gracie fights that long, the doctor wants to look at her again. I hope she can keep on fighting. This Thursday, we are on week 26 already. Normal babies are viable at 24 weeks, however, in Gracie’s condition, she wouldn’t make it outside the womb until week 30, well, according to what the doctors are saying. Anything is possible though, and Gracie has shown me that everyday.
Folks listen, I’m here to inspire you with Gracie’s story and to help you all realize that what doctors say or even do, doesn’t necessarily mean that will be what happens. I wrote these journal entries 9 years ago. My heart was broken during that time. In the midst of all my sadness, anger and worry, I still had to get up every morning and take care of my daughter, and head off to my business of lawn care. The headaches never stopped that year. Looking back though, it really did make me who I am today. It strengthened my soul, my relationship with God, and every time I look at Gracie now, she, in all her extraordinary abilities, has continued to shape me into a better mom.
Many Blessings,
Gina, The Butterfly Mum
