We Have Answers

It's me, Jaimie, this time giving you the update. We finally have some answers to what is going on with me! After multiple tests, scans, and ultrasounds, and after being seen by literally 6 different specialists - they finally "concurred" on an answer. Since I had 3 different strains of an UTI before labor - the UTI came back with a vengeance after birth. Unfortunately, it spread to my kidney, which was called pyelonephritis. Since I've been on antibiotics for now almost 4 weeks, I then developed a bacteria in my colon known as C-dificil. When antibiotics knock out all of your good flora then the bad flora take over, which is basically how the C-dificil was able to take over. After the doctor gave us this prognosis, she then dropped a bomb on us. Apparently the antibiotic that can kill the C-dif would mean that I couldn't nurse for 2 weeks. I would have to feed him formula and pump and dump. Most of you know how upsetting this would make me, the whole nursing thing has been my favorite part. Any mother can tell you how special this bond can be. Anyway, 30 minutes after getting this devastating news, the GI doctor came in and told me that there actually is an antibiotic that will not go through to the breast milk. The cost difference between the generic one (the one not safe for nursing) and the one safe for nursing is pretty extreme, but we are willing to make that sacrifice.

So, I now know I have 3 different infections and I have 2 different antibiotics that they will put me on and send me home on. If my WBC continue to improve, and my inflammation goes down - I may actually get to go home tomorrow night (but this is not a sure thing and we just have to wait till tomorrow). The other good news is they are allowing me to get up for more walks, within the hospital of course, and move around more in my room. This whole thing has been emotionally and physically draining on both Jason and I. However, Parker seems completely content to have both of his parents and his Grandma all to himself in a small confined room.

One other thing is that I know many of you are wanting to visit us either at the hospital or once we return to home but unfortunately I probably need to limit my contact with others. They (the doctors and the internet) say that C-dif is not really contagious but can be passed if people are not extremely careful and those with compromised immune systems (pregnant women, young children) should limit their contact. So unfortunately, I think it best if I don't have many visitors for at least a week, maybe two. I'm officially in quarantine!

I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers and hopefully we will be at home raising our son soon!

We will be in touch!