Butt Day (Part 2)

Since the surgery on October 23. A lot has happened, including the birth of sweet little Dakota. She was born early, we knew that was a huge risk with the surgery. We still believe that even though she was born at 29 weeks and 2lbs 15oz, the surgery was successful. In fact, her being born at 29 weeks was way better than what we thought was going to happen just a few days after the surgery. 

I updated you on the first few days post surgery in an earlier post... So, Sunday.


Saturday ended like I said, sitting up and eating a liquid diet. Sunday I was given the green light to walk 10 feet and take a shower, with lots of help. LOTS. I had my husband holding me up while my mom and the night nurse washed me. If any of you know me personally you know I am a very independent person. For example, I drove myself to the hospital while in labor with Dathan. I only called Drew when I was absolutely sure that I was being admitted. So this shower was an extreme blow to my independence. I would have laughed through the whole thing to cover up how uncomfortable I was but laughing with an incision. I don't recommend it at all. In fact, I don't even recommend breathing heavy. So now that you've got that picture in your head. Sunday I was showered and dressed in regular lounging clothes. I may have even brushed my hair. As seen below. Hoping to be released to bed rest outside the hospital on Monday maybe Tuesday.

 I feel like the Monday after surgery should have been my big clue that everything revolving around Dakota was/is going to be DRAMATIC. Monday the ultrasound tech came in to do one last check before we were released. Dakota had been showing that she was recovering from surgery very well on every other ultrasound. Today she had an extremely high heart rate and the Ob's started to get suspicious that something was wrong. Something was... my cervix was beginning to open and Dakota was more than willing to exit. I was given the update from the Dr's that there might be an infection and that they were going to do an amniocentesis (second one this pregnancy) to find out. If there was, they would be delivering her today. If not, then I would go back in for surgery to close my cervix. They came in to do the amnio and I was a mess. Either outcome of the amnio meant surgery. Either for Dakota's birth or to close my cervix. The amnio, ended up taking two times for success. The first time Dakota put her hand up to the needle and they had only filled up the tube 1/3 of the way when they had to pull it out. Girl is like her mom, keeps things dramatic. The second time was successful, painful but successful. The initial results showed that there was no infection and that they would do the cerclage. Dakota would not celebrate her Birthday that day! Hooray! Never thought I'd ever say "oh, I'm so relieved its "just" a cerclage!" Since I had just had surgery I felt like a bit of a pro going in. I was way more alert this time and I was only numbed from the waist down. To keep tradition alive I made sure to give the surgeon a peace sign. They kept tradition alive by giving me more magnesium to calm my uterus. So instead of leaving that day we stayed 3 more days. Had we not stayed though we would not have met another couple who were receiving the surgery that next Thursday on their little boy, they were from North Dakota. Just another little sign that we were meant to stick around and meet them. We will always think of them as a symbol of Dakota's Name.

          Me recovering from my second      surgery with Dakota. 

Thursday, I was released to stay across the street from the hospital at the hotel. We stayed there because my mom's work had her staying there. The hotel stay was uneventful. The hotel and staff however, were absolutely amazing. They are across from the hospital so they see a bit of heartbreak. Upon entering though you can tell they all love their jobs. They made my two weeks on bedrest there awesome.  After the two weeks we had our final fetal MRI at the hospital and the final meeting with the surgical team to determine if I was stable enough to fly home and then have follow up care at our local high-risk hospital.

The fetal MRI  showed almost full reversal of her Brain malformation, reduced ventricle size, the brain bleed that had us disqualified was no longer present and a syrinx (spinal pocket of fluid) she had in her upper spine had almost completely dissipated. On the ultrasound she was showing movement all the way to her toes. The fetal surgery, so far, was a complete success. Now, to keep her cooking. I was told I could fly home and I did that Saturday. That brings me to November 8th.