Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Because...

...Typing while laying down sucks.

...I can only tell the tale so many times without losing my shit.

...You all are like family to me anyway...

I am posting a message here that I e-mailed to my family so you all know what we're up to. It's not as peppered with foul language as some of my posts are, but that's about the only difference between what I want to share with the people I love like family and the people I love just as much on the internets. Please keep us in your thoughts.


Hey all!

Sorry for the mass e-mail! I just wanted to let you know how we're doing. You might have heard through the family grapevine that I was in the hospital Saturday night showing signs of preterm labor. I'm 21 weeks along and had a routine ultrasound where they check the baby to make sure everything is measuring okay and all the essential organs are present. The good news is that the baby looks perfect. Sucking his or her thumb and somersaulting all over the place. The bad news is that my body has prematurely decided to get a little lazy with this business of cooking up a human. For any of my fellow Google-aholics out there, what I have is called an incompetent cervix. In any future pregnancies I'll be given a cerclage at 14 weeks as a preventative measure.

They were going to give me a cerclage on Saturday but in pre-op I was hooked up to a moniter which said that I was having minor contractions and unfortunately, once contractions have started, a cerclage is a bad idea. For now they've prescribed bedrest. I'm allowed to get up and go to the bathroom. And that's it. It is SO not fun. Especially given that I'm not a big fan of soap operas or those annoying injury lawyer commercials. But, hopefully, it will all be worth it in the end.

Incompetent cervix and contractions aren't the only things we have going on. They did a blood test which shows that I have a small amount of fetal cells in my blood. This can signify a placental abruption (another Google-worthy phrase). If that is the case, it is only a minor one. Women do stay pregnant with partial abruptions, we just have to moniter the growth of the baby closely to make sure the placenta is still doing it's job of nourishing him/her.

In addition I'm awaiting several cultures which will tell us if there is some kind of infection. A very, very bad thing would be if I have an infection in my blood. If that is the case, I'll have to have an immediate amniocintesis. If that shows the infection is in my uterus, things are dire. I'd rather not think about it, but you all can feel free to hope and pray like hell that that's not what's going on here. The doctor did say that she doesn't think this is the case as my white blood cell counts have been okay and I haven't had a fever. But it is a possibility.

If you wouldn't mind sending us some thoughts and prayers they would be greatly appreciated. Heck, we'll take voodoo and naked dances under the full moon if that's what you're into. We certainly don't discriminate against well wishes and whatever form they might take.

We're doing pretty well considering. I'm bored out of my skull but trying to keep my chin up. Friends have offered to help with the shopping and have already started bringing us dinners to help Zube Boy out since I'm pretty well incapacitated. Zube Boy is just incredible. Though he did daresay, I think buoyed by the fact that I'm unable to leap off of the couch and bitchslap him, "So, honey, I've done the dishes, the laundry, vacuumed, fed the animals, and made dinner. What do you do around here that takes up so much time anyway?" Hee. He'll be lucky if he survives this, I think. But really, he's handling being the only mobile human in the house fabulously.

My boss is going to get me set up to work from home, so fortunately we'll be able to endure this without losing my paycheck. She's also offered to send one of the hotel housekeepers over once a week to clean up because she rocks like that. I'm really lucky to work where I do.

Despite keeping up my general good spiritedness, I'm pretty damn sad. To be honest, it's entirely possible that this just might not work. I have an appointment on Thursday and I promise to keep you updated, but in the meantime I could use all the encouragement you can muster. I'm not really good at asking for stuff like that, but I'm a little desparate. Being stuck laying down 24 hours a day makes it really difficult to distract myself from worry.

I hope you're all doing well. Let me know! I have plenty of time to read your updates, both mundane and life-altering.

Thanks for reading my novella,

Love,
Zube Girl

29 Leg Humps:

Anonymous said...

You and your little family are in my thoughts and prayers. Fingers are crossed, too, just in case.

If you need anything...we're here.

Anonymous said...

I've been lurking on your blog for a while now. This seemed like a good time to jump out and say hello. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and sending out all my best thoughts and well-wishes that everything goes a little more smoothly for you from here on out.

Anonymous said...

Hi Zube! Need some books or movies? I could send some. Will cross everything that I have to cross and am willing to dance naked under the moon( after all, here in sunny Florida we are still in the 80's) if that will help! Hang in there!

justdawn said...

oh, Zube...why can't things just go smoothly for you guys???

I hope that your cervix stays closed up and that all of you have an otherwise clean bill of health. I would like for the Odd Turtle to hang in there for just a bit longer...

I know that bedrest can be boring...would you like any books on CD??? That Guy I Married has a ton. (everything from lectures on philosophy to the hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy.) If you are interested, just send me an e-mail with your address and I will get them right out to you:)

Much love, Z-girl...and give your tummy a little rub for me...

Anonymous said...

BIg hugs, Zubes...
I'm a lurker who has had you in my prayers right along.. and I check in often to see how you and the turtle are doing. KNOW I will continue holding you all up in prayer. I can't imagine how tough the waiting, worrying and having to stay in bed ALL THE TIME must be.
So...just know that someone in upstate NY is sending good vibes your way. hugs hugs hugs hugs hugs.
Annie in Albany

Anonymous said...

Sending you Maui magic including sunshine and warm ocean waters.

You're in my prayers every day.

A lurking friend.

Darilyn

Anonymous said...

Zube, I'm thinking about you often. When I had my twins, I had preterm labor starting at 18 weeks, and I was on complete bedrest from then until they were born at 33 weeks. They were teeny at 3lbs 11oz and 4lbs 6oz, but they grew into gigantic, perfectly healthy 11 year-olds!

>AHEM AHEM! LIBRARY PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT AHEM AHEM!<

Don't forget to talk to your friendly neighborhood local public library. Most libraries have a Homebound program, and they will deliver and pick up materials for you.

And all the people that are going to start saying, "Oh, it must be so nice to be able to lie around all day. I wish I could do that!" or "Be glad that you get to lie around now, because you won't be able to do that anymore once the baby arrives!"? Just start bonking them on the head now, and get a head start!

Love and healthy thoughts,

Maya

Anonymous said...

I'd dance naked under the full moon, but it's January in Minnesota...

I think I'll stick to the 'thougths and prayers.' This time.

PaintingChef said...

I am emailing you pictures of my movies and books. Let me know what you want me to send you. Also? This situation TOTALLY calls for another brownie care package. Just so you know...

Anonymous said...

Another long-time lurker here coming out of the woodwork to send you all my good thoughts and wishes. I've got some unsolicited advice on a couple of natural things my midwife suggested to try that might help stop the contractions, I'd be happy to share if you like, but I don't want to be pushy. Just know there are people all over thinking about you and crossing everything for you, Zube Boy and your precious Turtle.

Emily

Anonymous said...

I'm a lurker too. I'll be cheering you on and sending some prayers your way. You'll be in my thoughts.

Anonymous said...

I too have been lurking for a while. Good luck tomorrow at the Dr. appt. Keeping you in my prayers.

Phil said...

Vibing. Praying. Hopefull thinkinging. Well wishering. And anything else that I think might help shall be heading your way.

Chickie said...

Good thoughts and one naked-moon-dance coming your way!

Anonymous said...

Hey Zube Family - best wishes from an anonymous lurker. My fingers are crossed for you.

Anonymous said...

Hi there. My thoughts go out to you and Zube Boy. I'm surprised he's still standing after making a comment like that. I'll keep you both in my thoughts and prayers. Take care and thanks for the update.

Anonymous said...

De-lurking from NJ to send well-wishes! My heart goes out to you...both for your boredom and your baby! Books on CD or tape might help with the boredom part. You wouldn't have to be uncomfortable holding a book and the baby would get to hear the story, too. I listened to NPR a lot when I was pregnant ane my kids came out loving the sound of Bob Edwards' voice - whenever he'd start talking, they'd calm right down. I was very sad when he retired!

Anonymous said...

A huge amount of well wishes and prayers from the UK (where it is rainy and windy and cold, so no moonlight dances I'm afraid!).

Anonymous said...

Fingers and toes and eyes crossed. The neighborhood has decried the naked dancing. Best of the best.
Fran

Anonymous said...

Prayers for you here. And a cyberhug. (((Zube)))

Amy said...

Fingers and toes crossed constantly for you. You are never far from my thoughts these days. Naked moon dances, voo doo, prayers, I'm googling all the possible positive vibes and how to perform them accurately just for you!

Bedrest sucks. Done that. I feel for you. At least you can catch up on movies that you haven't seen... making Netflix almost worth it. ;o)

Much love to the Zube family!

Anonymous said...

Hey Breck,
I just clicked on this and am sending good thoughts your way - the air here is (finally) cold so they should travel quickly. All best to you and I hope you have a great doctor appointment.

To another Jersey-girl!

Hugs,
Obie

Anonymous said...

z-
1. i do naked moon dances for no good reason anyway, but now i have a better reason!
2. between my 2 pregnancys, i was on bed rest a total of 35 weeks. as a result, not only do i have a kick ass cool as hell 7 year old boy, and a chubby happy as crap 6 month old (born at 35 weeks, but doning great!!) i also have a new appreciation for walking and good cable service.
3. i am a pediatric nurse for a facility for kids with delays. modern medicine rocks ass. kids born at 24 ish weeks do amazingly well.
so, if your thing is taking the advice from total strangers, then this is your lucky day! chill, rest, watch soap operas, order the boy around and appreciate the quite, cause when odd gets here (be it 3 weeks from now or 3 months) you'll miss the silence....
nursenimue

Anonymous said...

You are in my paryers, PLUS, I will cross everything and draw things on walls.

junebee said...

We're all hoping for the best for you. Now I'll have to get out the duct tape again. Ya know, to keep the Branch's and Blossom's and the Citizen's and my toes and fingers and everything crossed.

Anonymous said...

Keeping you and the little on in my prayers! I hope all goes well.

Anonymous said...

Another de-lurker baring heartfelt best wishes! Books on CD or tape are really good company. I think you might like Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. Another cool Jersey chick, and hapless bounty hunter, with some boss boyfriends and wacky family from the Berg. Could keep you busy for a while - there are 12 numbered novels and a few in betweens. Odd might enjoy the massage of laughter...

Anonymous said...

Zube, I haven't read you in a while and then I came and found this post. I had a placental abruption with my son at 32 weeks and it was damn scary, so my heart started beating very fast reading all this. You will be happy to know that my son is a thriving 4 year old sleeping contently upstairs right now and I hope the same good new is in your future. Keep the faith. I am a friend of Julie/mothergoosemouse and she has my private email if you'd like to contact me directly to chat (cause I ain't posting it here, LOL). My best wishes are with you guys, sending "hang tight" thoughts from Denver...

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