[The4OfUs]

wonderful, WONDERFUL!!<br><br>
And the newer pics are great<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/love.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="love">

 

[LavenderMae]

I'm not from your DDC but I have been following this thread and finally I must chime in and congratulate you, so <span>CONGRATULATIONS</span>!!!! Samantha is adorable and such a strong little person she is!! I'm just one more person who has been cheering for Samantha and just thrilled about how great she is doing!!<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/love.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="love"><br><br><br>
Heather

 

[OwensMa]

Awww, she sounds like she's doing so wonderfully! I love to hear such good news from our early Juners. Keep up the good work Sam!!

 

[Leakyboobs]

I'd be giddy too!!! She looks so STRONG in the newer pics!!!<br><br>
Lovely family you've got there... still keeping you in my thoughs.

 

[sehbub]

Sam is still gaining weight (up to 3 pounds 11 ounces as of last night) but isn't drinking any more reliably from her daily bottle. So, we've lost our Mother's Day homecoming day.<br><br>
We knew it was possible that she would regress, or stall, but I let myself put stock in what the doctors have been saying since day 1, and in the fact that she was so far ahead of all the babies her age. We've been told all along that she would be sent home on Mother's Day. So much for that.<br><br>
I know I should be grateful that our baby is healthy and that we won't have a lifetime of medical concerns...and I am happy and eternally grateful for all of those things...but after three weeks of only seeing my husband one day a week, and sleeping no more than two or three hours a night, and not being able to feed my child, I'm having a hard time finding the silver lining.<br><br>
Now I guess we're hoping to have her home by Memorial Day. I think I'm just going to permanently affix her mouth to my boob. She'll have to get the point eventually, right?<br><br>
I want my baby.

 

[chiromama]

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hug"> Sarah. I'm sorry for the setback. I'm thinking of you!

 

[Darcy37]

(((((HuGS)))))

 

[Lousli]

I'm so sorry. I know all about the ups and downs and it is so, so hard. Keep trying with the breastfeeding. It is hard but you can do it! A really good LC helped me soooo much. I hope your baby is home and in your arms very soon. Every day seems like a week right now, but it will be worth it when she comes home healthy and strong!

 

[Paddington]

i know there is really nothing i can say but just know that you have a lot of people pulling for little samanatha and try to keep your spirits up. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/grouphug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="grouphug">

 

[The4OfUs]

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hug">

 

[sehbub]

Bad morning, mamas...<br><br>
I stayed home this morning, because I haven't really been home at all for any significant period of time in the last three weeks, and there are things I have to do in order to bring a baby home.<br><br>
I just got a call from Sam's doctor. My family has a history of kidney reflux, so they want to screen Sam for it, which I'm all for. However, I can not be there while she is being tested (it requires inserting a catheter in to her urethra and filling her bladder with radioactive dye to see if it flows back in to her kidney, which would be a bad thing) because there is a significant enough amount of radiation introduced that they worry about any effects on unnecessary observers (read: parents). In addition, she had an echocardiogram yesterday, and they found a "tiny" hole in her heart. They assure me that it will correct itself, but it's something that we'll have to keep an eye on and have checked every 6 months or so until it closes.<br><br>
I understand that they're wonderful doctors, and they know full well what they're doing, and my kid is not the first nor will she be the last to deal with this, but WOW that was an awful phone call.<br><br>
And I can't go to the hospital today because by the time I get there it'll be 1:00 (if I leave right now) and then I'll have to immediately turn around and come back so that I can pick her sister's up from school by 3:30.<br><br>
My tiny little baby.

 

[OwensMa]

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hug"> I'm sorry.

 

[The4OfUs]

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/grouphug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="grouphug"> hoping and sending prayers up for Samantha to get over these hurdles and be home with you soon!

 

[chiromama]

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hug"> Thinking of you and sending love and light. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hug">

 

[Paddington]

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hug"> poor mama <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad"> i'm sorry you had such a bad morning. it is good that they found the hole though and know that it is there. they sound like they are good doctors and i hope you have your babe home soon. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/hug2.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Hug2">

 

[sehbub]

The doc called back. She also has a patent foramen ovale, which means that the wall between the two upper chambers of the heart didn't close. It should also correct itself eventually. This sucks.

 

[chiromama]

Sarah, a patent FO is really common in preemies, as it usually closes shortly before birth. I know it doesn't make it any less scary, but they do close on their own most of the time. I'll be lighting a candle for Sam, and thinking of you today. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hug">

 

[KnittingKara]

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hug"> Sarah, I know this isn't the Mother's Day you were hoping for ... and you've certainly been through the wringer this week, especially <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hug"><br><br>
please, know that you & Sam are being thought of with love and that many, many good wishes are headed your way <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/love.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="love"><br><br>
Hang in there, super mama! Your girl is a fighter and so are you! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hug">

 

[sehbub]

Assuming we don't have any major setbacks, Sam is coming home on Wednesday! Her kidney reflux was diagnosed as being grade 2 or 3, but the pediatric urologist chose not to operate, but rather decided that there was a 50/50 chance it would resolve itself, so we're taking a "wait and see" approach. She will be reevaluated at six months to see if it's getting better or worse, or is stable.<br><br>
I'm so deeply relieved right now, even if it doesn't last. At least for now it's wonderful news!

 

[The4OfUs]

YAY! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/praying.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="praying">: