Medical Center Employee: Hi, Mrs. X, I'm calling to confirm Amelia's appt. for tomorrow.

Me: OK.

MCE: Has she had a fever in the last week?

Me: No.

MCE: Good. We're located at XXX building, XX floor.

Me: OK

MCE: Please arrive fifteen minutes early

Me: OK

MCE: And no lotions or powders for 24 hours before the test.

Me: Ok

MCE: Oh, and does she have any dry skin?

Me: Yes

MCE: Is it on her arms?

Me: Um, I don't know, let me check (while trying to yank on daughter's sleeve)..uh, not really

MCE: Ok, good. See you tomorrow

Me: OK

We hang up. Being the anxious new parent that I am, I decide to double check her arms, as she is currently wearing long sleeves and I could not really get a good look while on the phone. I notice more dry skin than I originally thought.

Me: Hello MCE, I just spoke to you a minute ago about my daughter's appt. tomorrow. Well, I noticed some more dry skin on her arms. Is that going to be a problem?

MCE: Well, how bad is it?

Me: (dumbfounded as I  was originally told by the pediatrician that some dry skin on newborns is normal). Um, not that bad. Is this going to be a problem? Will it cause some kind of false positive or something (with a not so subtle hint of hysteria creeping into my voice)?

MCE: (laughing amusedly) Um, probably not, but it wreaks havoc on the sensors they try to use

Me (starting to panic): Um, so what do I do?

MCE: Put some lotion on it today. THat should be fine.

Me: Uh, ok

MCE: Bye

I hang up again, now terrified that I will somehow screw up this test because of her dry skin and "wreak havoc" on the sensors (yes, those were her exact words). I put lotion on her, then remember the no lotion in the 24 hours before the test rule I was told in the first phone call. It is now 22 hours before said test (at the time of lotion application). I am now terrified that I will scew up the test because I put lotion on her. Sometimes, I really hate the medical community.  The plan: Go to test at appointed time, lotion in tow, discuss this with person doing testing. Hope that at worst we have to wait another two hours at testing facility until we reach 24 hours post lotion application.

Current Mood: Terrified and angry

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Dear Amelia,

You are almost three weeks old. I can hardly believe it. Seems like only yesterday that I heard your first cry and held you in my arms for the first time. I am so excited and happy to have you in my life. And yet, I am gripped by a terrifying fear right now. I hope to be telling you this story one day with a bit of nervous laughter and a "oh, how hard that was, but we made it through" air. For you see, my dear sweet, innocent little baby, tomorrow you have to have a test that you parents are downright terrified of. Never, in a million years, looking at your angelic face and your sweet smile, would we have imagined that we might have given you a deadly illness that will claim your life far too soon. Of all the things we worried about, of all the fears we had, this one did not even cross our minds. And here we are, staring down the barrel of what might be a heavily loaded gun. And we are beside ourselves with fear. But, we'll be strong for you little one. We'll face this challenge with as much courage as we can muster. And most importantly, we'll love you always no matter what the outcome tomorrow.

And now, I say a little prayer, Please, oh please, Dear God, let our little angel just be a carrier. Please. We'd give our lives for her health.

I love you baby girl,

Mommy

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.

March 11, 2009 2:03am
8lbs, 1oz
20.75inches

 Happy and Healthy!

Welcome to the world baby girl! The world is so much better now that you're here.  We love you! 
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I am now officially a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. And in celebration, I am planning a prenatal massage tomorrow and have been madly "nesting" in my office at work all day. Does it count if you nest at work? My drawers have never been so clean.

 

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As of today at 11:30am, slow progress is being made on operation birth Baby. And by slow, I mean very slow. Looks like the countdown may very well be extended. If she does not make an entrance on her own, induction will occur the week of March 23rd. *sigh*. Mommy is losing her patience, sanity, and ability to walk slowly but surely.

Keep sending her good thoughts about what a beautiful day today or tomorrow or the next day is for a birthday!

 

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Dear Baby Girl,

 

We are praying for your safe and healthy delivery on or before your due date 10, yes only 10, short days from now.

 

And in honor of the fact that I can now count on two hands the number of days left until we get to meet you face to face (hopefully, hopefully), here are ten things that your Daddy and I are especially excited about (in no particular order).

 

1. Holding you in our arms for the first time
2. Finding out what color eyes you have and what you look like
3. Watching you grow
4. Letting you roll around and play with your lovable pets
5. All the cute baby girl clothes
6. Your first holidays
7. Your first smile
8. Your first steps
9. Taking you for walks in the park with us
10. Loving you more than we thought it possible to love anything in the world.

 

 

And Let the Countdown begin…

 

T minus 10 days and counting

 

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