Baby Shower!

Hi! I apologize for taking so long to write another post, things have been hectic (in a good way)! Since getting home, a little over two weeks ago, things have been gradually getting better. The first week home was difficult. I was feeling very weak and a bit down, but luckily it only lasted a few days. Coming home was much more difficult than I had imagined. I thought once I was home, I would somewhat jump back into my daily routine, but that wasn't the case. I needed to sleep a lot, needed help just walking around, and I had to stay home until I went to the doctor because I didn't know where my blood counts were. It was heartbreaking to feel so helpless in my own environment and at times it felt like it wasn't going to get better.

After going to the doctor, a few days after being discharged, I got good news! I had a bone marrow biopsy and it confirmed that I had reached remission! :) The whole point of the first round of treatment, Induction Chemotherapy, is to induce a remission. All of the treatments afterwards are meant to maintain the remission. It was so exciting to know that all of the time in the hospital paid off. This helped to perk my mood, and I started feeling better within the week.

After that appointment, I had another with my OB. We set up a date for delivery! As of now I am scheduled for a c-section, but if the baby turns I will be induced. The plan all along has been to deliver Emma at 32 weeks, which would be the week of June 20th.  I know this sounds crazy, but while I was in the hospital, I got really freaked out that the star signs for that week turned to Cancer! What are the chances of getting cancer while pregnant, having to deliver two months early, AND having the baby's star sign be a cancer?! It was too much for me! I told my doctor and she apparently didn't think I was too crazy because she went along with my idea of choosing a delivery date for a Gemini (they were close anyway). Ryan and I were able to choose between three days, one of them being a Sunday, which I thought would be a nice day. I had no idea until I put it on my calendar, but its Father's Day! I am so excited that Ryan gets to have his daughter on Father's Day, how special!

After my doctors appointments, it was time to get ready for something I had been looking forward to for awhile, my baby shower! After all of the craziness surrounding chemo, it was difficult to focus on the pregnancy. I was so excited to get back into baby mode and celebrate her soon arrival. My mom, with the help of my friend Dawn and family, set up a beautiful baby shower for little Emma. Everything was amazing from the food, decorations and company. It was so nice to see my friends and family who I haven't seen in so long. I'm so thankful for everyone taking the time out to come celebrate Emma and for giving us such generous gifts. She is certainly one spoiled baby already! We only had a week between the shower and Emma's arrival and while she won't be home for awhile, I wanted everything set up and ready to go for her. We only had a week between the shower and her arrival, so the wonderful daddy-to-be, Ryan, has been busy every night setting up all of her stuff.

This week is filled with a ton of doctor's appointments. Today and tomorrow I will be going into the city to get a steroid shot. Since Emma is coming early, a steroid shot can be given a few days before birth to help develop her lungs. I will be getting the first shot today, and need to go back for the second in 24 hours. I will meet with my OB tomorrow for a final check up, be admitted on Saturday night and have Emma on Sunday! Within these appointments I will also be getting my blood checked and meet with a Bone Marrow Transplant doctor to discuss the best options for continuing treatment. As of now, I have a two week recovery time after the c-section and will be back in the hospital for round two of chemo. This round will be another month in the hospital and will begin after the 4th of July.

The last exciting thing I'd like to address is the blood drive! While I was in the hospital, and for all of my future hospital stays, I relied on many blood and platelet transfusions. To help give back, my family has arranged a blood drive in my honor. It will be on June 30th at the East Islip Fire Department. I will attach the flier below.  If you are unavailable but still wish to donate, consider making an appointment at your nearest blood center! It is so important for people to have access to the blood they need!

As always, thank your for all of the love and support. The next time I update this blog, Ryan and I will be parents! :) :) :)

Kristin