Thursday, May 17, 2012

Battlestations!!

Here we go!  Delivery day!  Last day as a pregnant lady!  Yahoo!!!

Our time on denial island has come to an end.  The week of relaxation is over. The day we have been equally hoping for and dreading has arrived.  Today we find out which end of the "50-50 chance" little Parker will fall on.  He's in for the fight of his life.  Fight FOR his life.

I feel like there should be a montage here-- sweet little Parker drinking raw eggs, running up some courthouse stairs, and lifting barn beams with "Eye of the Tiger" blaring in the background.  Instead, this will have to do:



Might as well put that pouty face to good use!

It terrifies me to no end to know that, from the second he is pulled from my belly, his life will be about fighting the CDH Monster.  We're in for some ups and downs and a long journey.  But we're ready to do this thing.  We know we are covered in the prayers of many, and that makes it so much easier.

Several people have asked what specifically they can pray for.  Rose, a fellow CDH mommy, is great about listing specific prayer requests, and I am going to try to follow her example.

1.  Safe delivery for me and Parker
2.  Strength and peace for Mike, as he will be running back and forth from Parker to me.  I have told him time and time again that Parker comes first, but he's a boy and doesn't always follow instructions.
3.  Wisdom and guidance for the enormous medical teams waiting at both Northside and Egleston
4.  Good news from Parker's first tests-- that his heart is developed and working appropriately, and that his lungs are well-formed and ready to oxygenate, and that his first x-rays will show an easily repairable hernia with minimal disruption to the rest of his organs
5. NO ECMO!  We will, of course, go down that road if we need to, but avoiding ECMO is a good thing.  If his early testing goes well, our chances of ECMO will go down.
6. Prayers for our little family, as we are scattered all through metro Atlanta.  I dropped off my furbaby and my first baby today, and my heart misses them. Please pray that Jeremiah remains blissfully ignorant of the stress we are under, and that he doesn't feel swept under the rug.



After a few days, we should know a lot more about what we're facing and the timeline for repair surgery.  In the meantime, we are so appreciative of any and all prayers, good thoughts, spirit sprinkles, etc. etc. etc. you can send our way.

SPEAKING OF WHICH---

Today was a good day. I dropped off Jeremiah at preschool, went to Krispy Kreme, and got Parker his last donut for a while.  He and I had a lengthy discussion about how there are infinite donuts awaiting him, plus a trip to Disney World, on the other side of the NICU,  but that he will have to behave nicely to get them.  I think he's upset about being cut-off with so little ceremony, but that's life.  Can you do me (and Parker) the most ridiculous of favors?

If you find yourself, tomorrow or at any point in the next few days, in the vicinity of a donut store, stop and get one.  Send some happy donut thoughts our way.  Parker and I both will be stuck in hospital beds, devoid of donuts, generally grouchy and trying to be on our best behavior.  It would tickle me to death to know that donuts are being consumed all over Atlanta in honor of Parker's birthday.  BETTER STILL, take a picture of your donut and send it to me.  Facebook it, text it, email it, whatever.  It will give me something to look at and smile about while I am trapped at Northside, away from my very sick little boy in his critical first few days of life.

I'll update as soon as I can-- see ya on the flipside!!  Much love to you all.

26 comments:

  1. Prayers coming from Austin, TX. I can't imagine what you are feeling right now but I am asking that God holds your little family tight and gets those little lungs working in record time. God bless you all.

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  2. I will have a donut just for you & Parker! Prayers are going up all day for you both!

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  3. John, Heather, Andrew & LaurenMay 17, 2012 at 11:56 PM

    Abby,
    You are loved by so many... many more than you even know. You are all going to make it through this. There are prayers, love, and spirit prickles coming your way. Don't think that for a second you are alone ;). Love to you all!

    The Entire Holbrook Family

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  4. Prayers from Fort Irwin, CA. We are asking for God's grace and mercy to cover you all beginning immediately and continuing not only for the duration of this time of stress, but forever. Love and hugs! Stacie Husak

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  5. Following from Greenville, SC. We will keep praying for your family, and we'll have a few donuts for you and Parker!!

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  6. You have my prayers. A friend of mine Rose sent a link to this blog and I just want you to know you have prayers from Pickens Sc coming your way!!!

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  7. Had a donut (Pittsburgh creme - chocolate on top, filling in the middle) just for Parker. Prayers from PA!!!

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  8. Many prayers are extended to your family and if I have to, I'll eat a donut every day until you bring Parker home!

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  9. Just found your blog from Kelly's Korner. Wishing you all the best for Parker's safe arrival. I love the donut idea, and although I'm not the biggest fan of them, I feel like I should be going out tomorrow to get one for you!

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  10. I love a (good) reason to have a donut!! I will be praying for you and your baby, and eating a donut in your honor in Ohio :)

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  11. Wishing you all the best today. I hope everything is okay. My husband will gladly go get us donuts today in your honor!

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  12. My daughter and I stopped by KK this morning for a treat! Thinking of you and praying for you. (friends of Rose and Baby Jude)

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  13. Praying for you & your family in Arkansas!! Heart hugs to you!

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  14. Blessings and prayers that God holds you in the palm of his hand through all of this. May his glory, love and strength surround you all! And thanks for an excellent reason ti indulge in a donut!

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  15. Just found your blog thru Kellys Korner. I will pray for your family and Parker.

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  16. Just found your blog through Kelly's Korner too. Praying for you & your family in WA! Please update us when you can!

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  17. Found you through KK. Definitely praying and I'll take on the difficult task of eating a donut in your honor.

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  18. A friend of mine sent me the link to your blog (usually I read Kelly's Korner daily, but was busy today!) Sending my thoughts and prayers to your family. We had a girl with undiagnosed R-CDH in Aug 2005. One of the things I was busy with today was her kindergarten graduation. :) She is almost 7 and loves gymnastics, her sisters, and the Iowa State Cyclones. :) She had a pretty good ride through the beginnings of CDH--no ECMO, 6 weeks in the NICU, home only with a temp ng tube. All our best as you begin your journey with Parker. There is a FB group called Raising Healthy Congenital Diaphragmatic Children where you can ask questions and get support.

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  19. I am stopping by from Kelly's Korner and wanted to wish you all the best with your new baby boy. I have experienced CDH first hand. Our dear friends(my sister in-law's sister & husband) welcomed Benjamin last year and he spent his first few weeks at Shands Hospital in Gainesville with a very serious case of CDH. I am happy to say little Benjamin is a happy, healthy, chubby 15 month old who loves walking, laughing, and playing with his cousins! I'll be praying for your family!

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  20. Praying in Oregon that the news is good! Fight like a Cherub Parker!!!

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  21. Been thinking about you and Parker today. I have been following your Journey for about two months. Even though I have never meet you in person, I feel like I know you. Praying that God's healing arms are around Parker and that his mercy is shown today. Love and Prayers coming your way from Kershaw , South Carolina!!

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  22. Abby, just wanted to send you a note to let you know you and Parker are in my thoughts and prayers. I have so much enjoyed reading your blog--you are rapidly becoming my favorite writer. I will DEFINITELY try to have a donut for you and Parker tomorrow (was stuck at work today). May God be with you all in the days ahead.

    Love,
    Mandy

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  23. Prayers from Atlanta, GA! I came here from Kelly's Korner. Praying for your little guy! I actually work at Scottish Rite!

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  24. Prayers definitely and a doughnut tomorrow.

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  25. Found you through Kelly's Korner. My maiden name is Knoll. :)

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  26. I love any excuse to eat a donut - but Parker has to be the best! Praying from waaaaaaay up north in Canada!

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