And so the story begins

So a lot of people know that Jen has had our little G.  It was a rough start to his life.  I've been very vague about a lot of things on Facebook while trying to keep people that we know and love updated on things.  Why vague?  I don't have a "real" reason, but then again I really don't need to have one.  I guess the main reason was because I would have to keep repeating the story over and over. And to be honest, I don't really like to relive the moment.  After some thinking I remembered that I have this blog.  The very reason why I started this.  To document and remember things as Grayson is born and grows up.  So I felt that doing everything via this blog was he best thing to do.  Plus believe it or not, I do have friends and family that are not on Facebook. 

And so the story begins...

Jen's water broke at 6:30am Monday, August 18th.  She had just gotten up to go to the bathroom and barely made it before the flood gates opened.  She yelled for me but I was in the shower and didn't hear her.  She comes into the other bathroom and tells me she thinks her water broke.  We called the doctors office and they had us come in so that they could confirm.  With the amount of water that came out there was no doubt to us after a while that it indeed her water.  We then headed to the doctors office and the midwife there was going to test to the fluid that to confirm.  The funniest thing was that as soon as Jen took her pants off to get on the table another gush came. The midwife then said that , "Yup... water is broken" and we all kind of chuckled.  At this point all you can do is laugh.  We then pretty much realized that when it came to the birthing process... modesty is thrown out the window.

They told us to start walking and head over to the hospital by noon.  Unless she was starting regular contractions then we were to head over sooner.  We walked and walked around the neighborhood and no contractions.  So we headed over by noon.

Once we got there we headed into Martha Jefferson Hospital and got into our birthing room.  I would like to just say that the people at MJH from the time of insemination till we left there have been absolutely incredible.  Supportive, caring, and compassionate people.  I'll spare the details of birthing... so we will fast forward to about 2am on Tuesday, August 19th.

At this time Jen was finally 10cm dilated and it was time to push.  After hours of pushing G just didn't wanna come down and out. And by 6:30ish am...  C-section needed to happen.

The c-section started off very normal.  I sat with Jen by her head while they operated.  They were telling us everything they were doing.  But at the point where they were to pull him out.  That is where things became more difficult.  His head was still stuck in the birth canal and so they had to pull him up and out of that to get him out, an he then was stretched all the way out.  The doctor was about elbow deep trying to get his feet to pull him out.  And he was also facing up.  Not to mention that he is 9lb 8oz of a hunk of baby!  They had to push down on Jen up on her chest to try and get him out.  The doctor said that in his 30+ years doing this... this was one of the most difficult c-sections he had ever performed.

So after the insane c-section G was out and into the world, but he wasn't breathing.  They got him on the table and did CPR and still nothing.  His heart rate was starting to fall fast.  And things in the OR was just crazy.  People running around, talking all this medical stuff and it was pretty much the scariest thing I have ever had to see in my entire life. Jen and I were in hysterics and I felt caught in between trying to calm Jen down and trying to make sure my boy was okay.  They put a tube in his mouth and after what felt like an eternity he started to breathe again.  In those moments before he started to breathe I felt empty. I felt like my soul had left my body and there was nothing left. And as soon as they said he was breathing I became whole again.  

They took him over to the sick nursery in MJH and Jen and I went to the recovery room. The doctors and nurses came back and told us that due to the period of time with out oxygen there might be damage to the brain.  They also thought that he might have had a seizure as well.  And that he needed to get transferred to UVA NICU so that they could do treatment.  They did a Hypothermia Therapy on him followed by an MRI.

After a bit I was able to go back into the sick nursery to see him while they tried to get an IV into him.  They ended up having to put it in his belly button.  My first time seeing my son.  So many emotions ran through me.  I was so happy to see him, he was finally breathing on his own and the nurses were surprised on how fast he bounced right back.  My son awake and looking at me.  He is here and in the flesh.  All I wanted to do was hug on him and give him loads of kisses and love.  But I couldn't.  I could touch him and I felt so sad that he was going through all of this.  That Jen had yet to even see him and was wondering what was happening.  I was able to get some pictures of him during this process.

G was born 9lbs 8oz on August 19, 2014 at 8:01am!

My little man looking right at me.

G looking at me about to grab my finger.

G was on his treatment for 72 hours.  It was really hard to see him the way he was.  Cold and shivering, but each day I saw him he looked better and better.

(8/19) His first day at UVA NICU.  Just started treatment.

(8/20) G with better color.

(8/21) Even better color... Go G!

(8/22) Jen FINALLY out of MJH and getting to spend time with G!

They finished the cooling treatment on Friday night (8/22) to begin the slow warming process.  8/23 he was able to regulate normal body temperature on his own. And things were looking good.  He had the cooling tube removed, and his EEG wires removed.  We can finally see all that hair he has!

G with NO cooling tube down his throat.

Now the EEG wires are off his head!

Busy boy taking a rest.

Mother and Son finally getting skin to skin in Jen's shirt. So beautiful!

So now we are at the present... 8/24.  I tried my best to do a recap of what has happened this past week.  I left out some random things but whatever. :)

I'm FINALLY able to hold my boy.

This morning G had his MRI.  At first they said that we might not get results until tomorrow because it was Sunday.  But when we asked again the nurse didn't like that answer and made sure that there would be someone to read the MRI today!  We just got a call from the doctor and everything is clear!  G has past all his tests!!  Atta boy!  Either tonight or overnight tonight he will be transferred OUT of ICU and into regular inpatient!  All he has to do now is work on his feeding goals and we should be able to bring his chunky butt home!

There were plenty if times while I was visiting him in the NICU that I was torn. Especially when Jen was still at MJH and G was at UVA. I also questioned myself. Was I visiting enough? Did I stay long enough? Were people there judging me on how often I visited and stayed. Did G know? 

All in all I'm happy things are better and I can't wait to be lovin' on my boy.