Baby Update

This is Shari's sister Shannon. She asked me to do a post to update everyone on the status of her sweet little girls. I'm going start from last Thursday, January 5th. Shari had her normal ultrasound visit at her doctor's office in Pullman. Through the ultrasound they could see that 'Baby B' had fluid in her heart, lungs and tissue and scheduled an appointment to get everything checked out up in Spokane. On Friday, January 6th Shari and Brady got checked in and set up at Deaconess Hospital in Spokane. Through tests and ultrasounds, they concluded that there was in fact some concern around 'Baby B' and that they needed to get a team ready to help her as soon as she was delivered. They made the decision to schedule the surgery for Monday, January 9th so that they were able to have all hands on deck, and all the specialists in the room that they needed. On Saturday, Shari's mom and dad were able to leave Utah to drive up to Pullman and get the boys from the neighbors that had been so willing to help look after them. On Sunday, January 8th, we packed up the boys and headed to Spokane so that they could see Shari and that Brady and Shari could let them know what was going on, and some of what to expect (mainly that they wouldn't be able to see the babies right away). Also on Sunday, Brady's parents were able to fly in, and from there the planning started as to who would go where when and who was doing what. Brady, his dad and Shari's dad were able to give her Priesthood blessing and then we headed a couple of different ways. Shari's dad and I took the boys and headed back to Pullman. Brady's parents and Brady headed to his aunt's house that lives in Spokane Valley and Shari's mom stayed with her in the hospital. On to Monday, January 9th. Shari's surgery was scheduled at 11am, due to her having low platelets (what helps your blood clot) the surgery was pushed back. After getting her platelet count up, they were able to take her into surgery at 1:00pm. The babies were born at 1:13pm and they took 'Baby B' (Bethany) straight into the operating room to work on her. Brady was able to hold 'Baby A' (Alexa) in the delivery room and then she was taken into the NICU to make sure everything was okay with her. After Bethany came out of the OR and into the NICU, they wheeled Shari's bed into the NICU and she was able to see both of her beautiful girls! (she wasn't planning on seeing them at all that day, so she was really happy that she was able to go in and see them). After Shari and Brady had some alone time with the girls and a chat with the doctor about Bethany, Brady, his dad and Shari's dad were able to give Bethany a Priesthood blessing. Here are some pictures of these precious little girls on their birthday:

Alexa Grace 4lbs 13oz 19 inches

Bethany Kristine 5lbs 12oz 19 inches

Bethany (the puffiness is due to her water retention which is gradually decreasing)

After the surgery, Shari's platelet count was still low and she was soon diagnosed with HELP Syndrome, and put on magnesium. She was pretty wiped out for most of the day on Tuesday, but we were very happy to at least have the reason why her count continued to be low. The babies first night was a rough one, Alexa was doing pretty well, but had to be put on a bit of oxygen since her lungs still hadn't fully developed. Bethany was put on an oscillator to do her breathing. By Tuesday night Shari was starting to feel better and her color had started to come back. Alexa was still on oxygen, but they were able to gradually turn down how much they were giving her. Bethany had increased her urine output (which is good because that is her getting rid of the water retention), her blood pressure was up and they also did a scan on her brain and heart and everything came back that there was no fluid in those areas, which was more good news. Wednesday Shari's dad and I were able to get back up to the hospital. I was able to see these sweet little girls for the first time. In going up to the NICU both Brady's dad and Shari's dad (who had both seen Bethany on Monday) commented on how different she looked and how much her 'puffiness' had gone down both girls were doing well  and they continued to progress slowly but surely. Thursday Shari continued to feel better. Alexa was down a little bit more on oxygen, and Bethany was losing a bit more fluid. All positive steps.

Friday Shari was set to be discharged at anytime that day. She opted to wait until we could all get up there from Pullman once the boys got out of school. Once we got up there, we got the paperwork started to get Shari discharged. I was able to go into the NICU with Shari and Brady to see the girls. It was so good to be able to walk in and see for myself the amazing change in Bethany's water retention. She was able to make a fist with her hands (which she couldn't do before due to so much swelling in her fingers). Another amazing thing I was able to see, was Shari holding sweet little Alexa for the first time! Alexa was doing really well and was off oxygen and doing all of her breathing for herself, she had started with a bit of jaundice, so they had put her under the lights. Bethany was taking quite a bit of breaths on her own, again, progressing slowly but surely. The doctor stopped by and talked with Shari and Brady for a bit and said that Bethany is doing better than he thought she would at this point, doing good, but not out of the woods yet. It was at that point that I had to say goodbye to those sweet little girls and make my way back to Utah, along with my dad.

Bethany's little foot. Looking sooo much better. That's Shari's finger, showing just how tiny she is.

Bethany on Friday. She can put her hands in fists now and looking much better!

Shari's first time holding Alexa. I just love the way that Alexa is looking at her mommy!

Brady, Shari and Alexa

Saying goodbye to little Alexa

Saying goodbye to sweet little Bethany

On Saturday, they moved Bethany from the oscillator to a ventilator, and Alexa was still doing well. Just still delicate and unable to take normal activity. Sunday Bethany was much improved. They removed her catheter and took her off the nitrous oxide. Her swelling in her ears had gone down and she had drained off quite a bit of fluid over night, she's doing really good, but still has a ways to go! On behalf of Shari and her family (myself included) we want to thank everyone for their prayers, thoughts and concerns. All have been felt by our family, and we know that they are definitely helping these girls progress. I will try to keep this updated until Shari is able to. Shari will be staying in Spokane Valley at Brady's aunts house until both babies are able to be released from the hospital!