Arnold's Thoughts

I often wonder what Arnold is thinking as he is increasingly alert and looking around, especially when Emma Claire is involved. Why am I wearing princess high heels, why is her finger in my mouth, why am I surrounded by dolls and pink blankets, when will she stop pulling my toes apart, why is she screaming on the floor, am I going to fly out of the swing - why is she pushing me so high, etc.?

I have had more fun watching Emma Claire interact with Arnold over the past four weeks. I like to believe he is thinking how much he loves his sister who is nothing but infatuated with him.

So Close...

And so it continues. Brad took me in Monday for the "procedure". I reported to Abbott at 6:30 am for "venogram with possible IVC filter removal". Finally, we can get this behind us and I (we) can move on and get back to "normal" (whatever normal is for us now).

Initial CT scan showed no more clots - but no question that I would need a stent. I then went to the cath lab (where there were familiar faces - a much better situation than the last time I was there). I started out positioned on my belly so they could access the vein behind my knee to get to the iliac vein for the stent placement. Got some good sedation to relax me (which it did). The stent placement was successful - hooray! They flipped me over to my back, went in through my jugular to remove the filter (which, in my mind, seemed like it would be a piece of cake - but, what do I know?). I must have been in this position for 1 1/2 hours or so (was drifting in and out from the pain medication - the worst part of this was severe back pain from being on my stomach for so long).

Long story short, they weren't able to "grab" the filter to remove it. Apparently it is leaning against the vessel wall. Had to stop trying for now because I had been under fluroscopy for the maximum time. Soooo - back again next week. The good news is, they know exactly what they need to do and have a good strategy for doing it. Two interventional radiologists (the one that was in charge today and the one that did the initial procedure in April) are going to work together to get it done.

Just when I think it is over, there is more... Procedure was on Monday. Wednesday night, took the bandage off of my knee (where they went in for the stent) and it started bleeding like crazy (I intentionally waited until Brad was home to take off the bandage - call it a gut feeling). Par for the course. Not to be too gory, but blood all over the bathroom. Shower looked like a scene from Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho". Brad patched me up and off we go (again) to the ER at Abbott. Went through the whole "routine" there and got patched up with a pressure dressing there. Home again by midnight.

As I am finishing writing this saga on Friday, of note, I bled through my dressing tonight :-). Brad, again, patched me up and we are hoping for a night without any ER visits and an uneventful weekend.

I have to say, Brad deserves the "Husband of the Year" award for being my doctor, nurse and rock throughout this whole ordeal.

Hotty Toddy!

Emma Claire: "Baby brother's talking to me." (as I hear Arnold cooing in the background)

Emily: "What is he saying?"

Emma Claire: "He's saying Go Rebels!"

Arnold's One Week Stats

One week appointment with Dr. Hobbs:

Head: 14" (31%) - doesn't seem to have the large Kaduevian head

Weight: 6 lbs. 12 oz. (12%)

Height: 20 1/2 inches (62%)

The Bickersons: Swaddled in baby dolls

The Bickersons: Swaddled in baby dolls

Drs. Kadue

Brad went along to my appointment with Dr. Herring on Friday to be "trained in" on how to pack my incision over the weekend. He has been a trooper in dealing with my issues over the past few months - gives me my shots, changes my bandages, etc. Now, I am asking him to perform minor surgery on my incision. I have confidence in him.

Dr. Herring starts poking and prodding again. I NEVER watch or really know (or want to know) what is going on down there. I hear the nurse ask Brad if he needs water or needs to sit down. "No, I think I'm OK", he says. A couple of minutes pass... "I think I need to sit down". I take a look at Brad - white as a sheet and sweaty (the same way I have been feeling this whole time). "Maybe my dad should do this, he suggests". Fine by me. They send us home with all the necessary supplies.

Ultimately, Rick (retired OB-Gyn) comes by on Saturday to help and Brad is able to do it himself - and I able to tolerate it without incident. Emma Claire pulls up her stepstool and watches the whole thing as she holds my hand "I don't touch", she says. She also relives the initial experience of the incision opening up last week "It went pop".

Thank goodness for good help.

Best Friend

Rowie: "Is Addie your best friend, Emma Claire?"

Emma Claire: "No, she is not"

Rowie: "Well, who is your best friend?"

Emma Claire: "Arnold"

One Week Home

We brought Arnold home one week ago Thursday - and what a week it has been. First of all, Arnold is the perfect baby. Cries when he is wet or hungry and gets cuter every day. He is increasingly alert, but continues to spend most of his days sleeping peacefully. There is nothing better than cuddling up with him sleeping on my chest for an afternoon nap. I just want to capture every minute. Arnold has been perfect and, as much as I enjoyed my hospital stay, there is no place like home.

What started off as a perfect post-natal experience, has turned into quite the ordeal. In summary - our first week has gone like this:

Thursday, August 5 (day 1) - arrived home with Arnold in the afternoon. Everything was perfect. Night went as well as can be expected - nursing is going well.

Friday, August 6 (day 2) - another good day. Emma Claire went to school and Rowie and I had a quiet day with Arnold at home. Whitney and Hope came by for a visit.

Saturday, August 7 (day 3) - A rainy morning at home. Rowie took Emma Claire to Little Gym and Arnold I had a nice morning.

THEN Saturday night - the craziness began. Around 8pm, I feel a little "pop" at my incision and immediately feel bleeding. Now, I am uneasy

at the thought of and physically ill at the sight of blood - especially when it is myself. Thank goodness Brad was home and is calm. Emma Claire, also was calm, as was Rowie. So, Brad took over and had me lie on the floor and apply pressure. Emma Claire held my hand and stroked my hair. Brad called the nurse line for advice and they said I need to go to the ER since I am taking blood thinners. So, we packed up Arnold (Rowie: "will 10 diapers be enough?" - I was sure hoping so). Emma Claire stayed with Rowie. Off we go - back to Abbott, anticipating that we would be there waiting until 2 am on a Saturday night. Arnold's first "outing". We were pleasantly surprised to get back to a room immediately and be seen by a doctor about 30 minutes later. The bleeding had stopped, she said it was blood and fluid that had accumulated between the layers of stitches and created a pressure that caused the opening and bleeding. So, they dressed it, had me walk around. No more bleeding. Come back if it bleeds more. Soooo...sure enough, I woke up at 4am to feed Arnold and there was a nice amount of blood in bed from the incision. Off we go again (Arnold in tow). This time, the doctor we saw poked around in there, drained and dressed it and said to see my OB doc early in the week. OK. Home we go at 7am.

Sunday, August 8 (day 4) - Lots of sleeping. So tired. Still bleeding. Brad changing the dressings for me. I still can't look at the incision - might pass out. Adrian and Elissa visited.

Monday, August 9 (day 5) - Arnold is to see Dr. Hobbs this morning. Emma Claire is to go to school. Change in plans - Emma Claire has a 101.9 fever. She goes with us to see Dr. Hobbs. STREP? Are you kidding me. Instructions: keep Arnold and Emma Claire as separate as possible for 48 hours. Penicillin shot or antibiotics. Shot, I decided without hesitation. Knock it out. Poor Emma Claire. Apparently it is a pretty hefty, painful shot. She had more trouble with the soreness from that (limping around all day) than from the strep. Again - thank goodness for Rowie. Arnold ultimately made it through without getting sick.

Tuesday, August 10 (day 6) - To the OB doc for follow up - with Arnold and Emma Claire and Rowie. He makes it bleed MORE! Pokes and prods. I lay on the exam table sweating like I had run 5 miles. He packed it with some coagulant "stuff" to hopefully slow the bleeding.

Wednesday, August 11 (day 7) - BACK to the clinic. Again, Arnold AND Emma Claire in tow. MORE poking and prodding. This time, the incision was packed with gauze and there was mention of MAYBE having to go back to the OR to address the issue.

Thursday, August 12 (one week home) - Emma Claire is now well enough to go back to school - hallelujah! Back to the clinic with Rowie and Arnold. Things are looking up a bit and not nearly as stressful. At this point we are pretty good friends with all the staff. Arnold is a superstar at the office. Dr. Morton (my outstanding hematologist) says hold the Lovenox for 36 hours. Reschedule the stent procedure (which was scheduled for next Monday).
Back again on Friday - with Brad - for the OB doc to teach HIM to pack my incision over the weekend :-). Will keep you posted.

What a time. Can't complain - what a beautiful baby boy we have to show for it.

Day #2

Day #2 with Baby Arnold. Is it sad if I say being in the hospital is feeling like a bit of a vacation? (maybe that means I need to get away more).
Arnold gets cuter and sweeter by the second. He has been sleeping and eating and spending a little time with eyes open and alert. He has fussed very little. We spent much of our time today resting and cuddling in the quiet of our room.
Big Sis and Rowie and Opa visited a couple of times today. Emma Claire is very much infatuated with her baby brother. She is full of energy when she visits and insists on holding, hugging, kissing him and showering him with McDonalds happy meal toys. She is back to her school routine and Opa leaves tomorrow We should be home in 2 days. Hopefully she is so happy and enthusiastic once we are all home as a family.

First Photo with Big Sister

Arnold Ray Kadue

At last - our little baby boy is here. Arnold Ray Kadue. Arnold after Brad's grandfather (also Brad's middle name) and Ray after my dad - two of the most significant and special males in our lives.
Arnold is perfect in very way. Born at 8:52 am, he weighs 6 pounds 14 oz and is 21 inches long. He had a strong cry at first, but has been sleeping soundly most of the day. He has taken to nursing without any problems and had his first bath this afternoon.
Emma Claire is taking her role as "big sister" very seriously and has been stuck to him like glue. She brought him his first "gift" - a yellow Hulk-like toy from McDonalds happy meal and was so excited for him to have it. Arnold did open his eyes wide and turned his little head to look straight at his big sister with curiosity his afternoon (maybe wondering what he has gotten himself into). The c-section went beautifully and the afternoon has been lovely. I feel tired, but well, as does Brad. We are so very blessed to have a second beautiful, happy baby and could not be happier at the moment.

Then There Were Four...

Our last day as a little family of 3. Hard to believe we are going to have a new baby boy just 10 hours or so from now. Bags are packed, photos taken, Emma Claire showered with gifts, big sister books and the "I'm the Big Sister" t-shirt to wear to the hospital, Rowie and Opa here safely and everyone ready.

What seemed like a pregnancy that might go on forever a few months ago has actually flown by. Now - all a blur. I will miss the strong movements, kicks and hiccups of baby in my belly. I will miss how Emma Claire talks to, cuddles with, kisses, feeds and, on occasion, tries to dress my belly. She is excited to "eat ice cream with Rowie and Opa" at the hospital.

We are all thrilled to meet this little guy. Life is about to change - again - and get that much better tomorrow.

Family Portrait

Future Artist?...

Performance

Emma Claire has been into singing songs (most of which she learns at school). She has motions to many of them (all of which she learns at school). We listen to a CD of music given to us by her teachers over, and over, and over in the car. We all know all the works - and all the motions. Notice in the video, Brad's accompaniment in the background...