Traditions Run Deep

It's Easter! And what does that mean for the Ford family? The hospital!! So, it isn't the typical place where families go to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, but in our family its a tradition that runs deep. Let's see, Granny had a stroke on Christmas, Bryce was born on Easter, Maw Maw died on July 4th, Aunt Kim had kidney stones on Easter and, bringing it all back to Easter, Kynlee Rae should join the clan sometime this Easter weekend! I admit it isn't all that normal, nor is it something to brag about, but it is a tradition nonetheless! I wouldn't mind breaking it to be honest, or at least starting some new fun traditions of our own!

Rachel spent the night at St. Lukes and has had several tests run since signing into her lush accommodations at the gorgeous hospital. After reviewing the ultrasound they determined that there is hardly any fluid around the baby. There is still a small amount, but with the onset of Toxemia increasing quickly that is sure to go down. The good news is her enzymes did not decrease. As long as those stay at a constant level they can hold of delivery, hopefully until after she receives her 2nd steroid shot this afternoon to help build Kynlee's lungs. The doctors are most worried about this. Her new specialist has estimated the baby's weight to be around 2 pounds. Kynlee's lungs and heart looked good, so with the help of this second steroid shot, hopefully Kynlee will just need some time to grow at Texas Children's Hospital. They are assuring Rachel that everything will be just fine, the neonatal unit from TCH will be in the room with her and Kynlee will be sent just down the hall to TCH to grow and be nurtured!

My heart hurts for my baby cousin because I know what it is like to have to leave your baby, it is something that no mother should ever have to go through. But, Rachel being a preemie herself, knows that she is in God's hands and her precious baby will be just fine. Rachel was born at 26 weeks, so we are all prepared, having been through this only 11 months ago, for the next couple of weeks.

An interesting fact though. Her specialist said that this IS hereditary! Duuuuhhhhhhhhhhh!!! Both my doctor and her original OB said that there is no evidence to prove that it is. Her specialist said that there are tons of doctors that believe it is not, but he has seen too many cases of women who have this same family history and end up developing Preeclampsia/Toxemia. He said with just one aspirin a day from the time they find out they are pregnant he has been able to carry babies all the way up to 39 weeks! Lesson learned! I will be popping an aspirin daily with baby number two to help increase the blood supply to the baby. He also said that it will happen again with Rachel's second, with her little sister, who was also a preemie, and most likely in my next pregnancy! Just goes to show that science is still a work and progress!

Thank you for your continued prayers. I know Kynlee Rae will be brought into this world by the best doctors in the country and will be cared for by the best nurses.