Tuesday, November 30, 2010

OB upate and MIL

The visit went very well. Due to the heavy snowfall a few people had cancelled their appointment so we had plenty of time with Dr. L. Elvis is growing well (belly measures 33 weeks), fluids all around look good but the placenta is still low. So we have scheduled a more accurate scan for the 10th of December, just before my next appointment with the OB on the 14th. Note that for both visit Mike won't be with me as he's off to a conference in Mexico, so my mum will come along instead. Urine sample and blood pressure checked out perfect which is great. We also chatted a bit about how things are going and so I told him that like he predicted I'm getting a bit nervous about the due date and vaginal delivery. Not for the pain of labour at all, but mostly about things that can go wrong (I know, same old me). I told him I have this image of the umbilical cord wrapped around the baby (which he then checked with the scan and the cord is nice were it should be with plenty of room and seemed to be going from his belly up into the placenta!) and that he may get oxygen deprived during birth. Again he said they will be monitoring the baby very closely during labour and intervene immediately if they think there is any sign of distress, but that all the options are open to me, that there is no rush in deciding as we can schedule a c-section at a very late notice (it would happen a week before the due date). Once again I was very reassured and happily went on my way. I so love the appointments being so close together!

So all was good. Until I got a call from Mike. I had not written about this as I was hoping to be able to write part 2 of MIL story when everything had settled down, but things have taken a turn for the worse unfortunately. MIL has been in hospital for the last 8 weeks (with a brief time off in the middle) for clots in her right leg. They have attempted several procedures to by-pass the clots and restore blood flow to the foot, but her veins and arteries are so compromised that there is no improvement in her circulation. This is such a painful condition she's on pain medication almost constantly. They evaluated the possibility to do a chemical block to the nerve so that she wouldn't feel pain and could exercise the leg a bit. As of Friday this was no longer an option as the nerve the would need to intervene on is too close to the kidney (she had a kidney transplant 20 years ago) and they could not risk it. Last night we were informed that they were considering amputating her leg towards the end of the week. This morning the situation must have looked different as Mike got the call from the consultant that they are going ahead with the surgery today. While this would be a dreaded solution to most people, MIL is looking forward to being pain free (it may give you an idea of how painful the leg is). I believe she's in surgery now. They couldn't tell where they would amputate, if below or above the knee until they are operating. Any thoughts you have to spare for her please do so, she is a fantastic woman and I want Elvis to spend plenty of time with her grandmother. I'll update when I have news.

16 comments:

Circus Princess said...

How awful about your MIL, I hope surgery goes well and that she becomes pain-free after.

So good to hear Elvis is doing great and growing up a storm - I'm amazed that it's getting so close!!

XO

Mrs. Lemon said...

So happy for the baby and the good news but so sad for you and the MIL... You'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

jill said...

Ugh your poor MIL :( I hope the surgery goes as well as possible and that it does leave her pain free.

Clare said...

So sorry to hear about your MIL. I hope this surgery enables her to live a more comfortable pain-free life.

Glad to hear all is well with Elvis! Wishing you the best for the exciting times ahead xx

BB said...

I hope the surgery went well! Thinking of you all!

Kakunaa said...

Awww, that's hard about your MIL. But it's better to amputate now before infection n stuff. My grandfather had to have both of his legs removed due to diabetes, and it was close the one time. So this is not too horrid. HUGS and positive thoughts headed your way.

tireegal68 said...

Sending lots of love to you, Elvis, Mike and MIL. that's so hard about your MIL - I hope the surgery is a success and she feels a lot better and is around to be a wonderful grandmother to Elvis! Good for you for talking about your fears to your doctor. I'm
Glad they checked the chord. Afterwhat happened to me I am even more leery of that whole chord issue. Take care,sweetie!

tireegal68 said...

Sending lots of love to you, Elvis, Mike and MIL. that's so hard about your MIL - I hope the surgery is a success and she feels a lot better and is around to be a wonderful grandmother to Elvis! Good for you for talking about your fears to your doctor. I'm
Glad they checked the chord. Afterwhat happened to me I am even more leery of that whole chord issue. Take care,sweetie!

Alex said...

How scary about your MIL. I hope she recovers from the surgery very quickly!!! Yes, your little growing Elvis needs his grandma!!! And so glad to hear Elvis is doing so well...

Conceptionally Challenged said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your MIL. Hope the surgery goes well, and that she will spend many happy years with Elvis!

Momasita said...

Wow, that's horrible to hear about your MIL. Sounds like she may have a long road to recovery after the amputation, but hopefully it will lead to a pain-free life for her.

Glad to hear everything is on track with Elvis. Your dr. sounds like a sweetie-pie.

Mrs. Misfits said...

I'm so sorry, Fran. My thoughts are with you and your Mother-in-Law.

Anonymous said...

Sending prayers and good wishes that your MIL has a speedy recovery and that she is doing well post surgery. I can't imagine her pain if she is relieved to have the amputation. Poor dear.

I'm glad to hear Elvis is doing perfectly and that you have the option of a C-section if you want. I completely understand the worry, although I'm sure everything will be just fine. Hugs to you and be careful traveling about in all that snow!

Michele said...

So happy Elvis is doing well :)

Many prayers for your MIL. How terrible!

Nick and Kristi said...

Awww your poor mother in law:( She must be in a ton of pain....However Iam glad your appt went well...Your Dr. is so good with you to:) I feel like me and my Dr. really never talk about anything to important but that could be because I see him all the time

Valery said...

Oh Fran, I hope the surgery goes well..
I have fond memories from when we were little, of my brother and me taking baths with my grandfather, sitting where he had no left leg.
In my eyes he was more real of a grandfather with his wooden leg...(and he lived to be 97)
hugs