What is it?

Thank you so much for all of your emails in response to this blog. It is so nice to know how many people are out there rooting for us while we remain here.
Some people have asked if we are dealing with preeclampsia. They are calling it superimposed mild preeclampsia at this point. Fortunately, I have not shown some of classic signs of early preeclampsia (i.e. headaches, seeing spots, decreased urine output/swelling, decreased kidney function). However, I do have rising/hard to control blood pressure and protein in my urine that was confirmed after a 24 hour urine test. With my pre-existing kidney issues, I already had protein in my urine and I have for over ten years. One of the first things they needed to do was establish my baseline for this measurement. My perionatologist had already had me to two of the 24 hour tests earlier in the pregnancy, so my doctors here had something to compare my current protein output to. They said that the number had doubled from my previous pregnancy tests until now, but that can happen in pregnancy to women with previous kidney issues. The numbers from last week's 24 hour test were not alarming to them, and they will be doing another 24 hour test tomorrow. Thankfully, I'm also happy to report that my kidneys are holding strong.

These days, we like to say that an uneventful day is a good day. Well, last night was an eventful night. Typically my blood pressures go down as I sleep, but last night, they kept rising. At this point we've confirmed that the increases are physiological (not psychological) and are evidence that the pregnancy is directly impacting my blood pressure. Thankfully, my nurse was keeping a watchful eye on me through everything they are monitoring. She noticed the increase and called the chief resident. They decided to give me some IV medication to help the blood pressure go down. I haven't mentioned yet just how many meds I am on right now. At my hospital admission, I was taking the same four blood pressure meds that I've been taking for years. They started off trying to control my BP by increasing those meds since my body was used to them. When it seemed that something stronger was neeeded, they added and took away meds to come up with a new combination. They also staggered my medication. I used to take my morning meds and my night meds. Now I am practically taking a different dose of medication every two or three hours up until midnight. When need be, they will do an IV push of one of those meds. I have been told that they have lots more meds at their disposals, including the "big guns." Once my blood pressure seemed to calm down early this morning, my nurse told me that my case has her a bit stumped. She is used to seeing high blood pressures in pregnant women in the hospital, but it usually is accompanied by the symptoms that I listed above. Thankfully, I do not show those symptoms at this time.

Since Ray wasn't working today, he spent the day at the hospital with me and will be here tomorrow too. We watched a movie on our dvd player and he came with lunch from my favorite sandwich place Jimmy John's. My Aunt Laura sent over some delicious turkey chili for dinner, and both meals were a welcome change from the hospital food. This afternoon was quiet. The nephrologist (kidney doctor) stopped by and said that they were going to alter my meds slightly. Then my perionatologist who admitted me stopped in for a while to chat with us. He said that he was pleased that I didn't deliver last weekend and just reminded us that things can change quickly and that the day will come (hopefully later than sooner) when they decide it is time to deliver. They cannot predict what day that will be and we are thankful for every day we get. We are now at 26 weeks and 2 days.

Ray took the photo below today. That bed is where I spend my days growing baby girl. We will post more photos as time goes on. I was in a particularly good mood because of the sprinkled cupcake on my tummy.