March 3, 2011 - 30 Weeks, 2 Days

Yesterday was such a rough day that I forgot to mention that we've passed thirty weeks!  Yay!  They have always told us that if we can make it to thirty weeks, everything will probably turn out OK. Yes, thirty-four weeks is better, with less than a 1% chance of any lifelong disability, but thirty weeks is a major benchmark that indicates good things.

Unfortunately, the news has not been great today. They did more blood work this morning and Amaraa's blood count has dropped to 24. That is dangerously low. It was at 27 when they gave her the blood transfusion before. She has been very weak today and even needs help getting up to the restroom. She did manage to make it through a shower today, but the whole time, she felt like she was going to pass out. The doctor ordered another blood transfusion for today. This time, he ordered four units!  That's double the amount she had last time. These transfusions are rough for her. Her chest feels heavy and it just makes her feel miserable. She's halfway through her third unit, so she only has a bag and a half to go.

Amaraa had the same nurse yesterday that was her nurse the night she started her latest heavy bleeding episode. Her name is Amanda and Amaraa really likes her. She is really attentive and nice. Anyway, the same night Amaraa started bleeding, her next-door neighbor started bleeding heavily as well. The nurse was running back and forth from Amaraa's room to the other girl's room all night. Amaraa's neighbor ended up delivering that night after that nurse went home. When the nurse came in today, she told Amaraa that she was sure she would come in and find that Amaraa had delivered and the other girl was still there.

When the doctor came in today, he told Amaraa that she had done a great job by getting the baby to 30 weeks. He also told her that if she has another bleeding episode as heavy as this last one has been however, they will have to "throw in the towel." It is just too risky to allow these episodes of heavy bleeding to continue. He said that the baby looks great and is doing really well, and that all signs point to him doing well if he has to be born early. We're obviously still hoping for at least 34 weeks, but we are just grateful to have made it this far. She started bleeding at 10 weeks, so it's hard to believe we have made it to 30 weeks. We prayed that we would make it to 30 weeks and we have been blessed with that. We're still praying for more, but we are ready to accept whatever comes our way. Thanks to everyone for your support and prayers. Our photo today is of Amaraa having her blood transfusion. Nadia Jackson visited today and brought these beautiful flowers that are on her table.