Cassiana's Tender Heart

It won’t be long before Cassiana arrives.  In fact, she will be here in 18 days or less!  She is continuing to show no signs of distress.  I am dilated at 1 centimeter but not having any contractions.  Next week another ultrasound will be done to check on several things: Cassiana’s growth, amniotic fluid level, see if fluid is developing around Cassiana’s organs, and to check on Cassiana’s heart.

 

Words cannot say how truly touched I am by the prayers and support that our family h...

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The good news is that Cassiana is continuing to do well.  She is moving around a lot and is showing no signs of distress.  Praise the Lord!! 

 

 The bad news is that Jeff lost his job 2 weeks ago.  The bad part is our finances but at least now Jeff is home to help me during these last few weeks and will be able to spend more time at the hospital unless he is able to secure another job before then.  He has an interview on Monday!

 

 

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Yesterday's appointment went well. Cassiana is growing (weighs about 5lbs 3oz) and is showing no signs of distress. My amniotic fluid level was a little higher than last time. They have set the date for my induction for June 22 at 8 am. 


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My appointment went well on Wednesday. Cassiana moved around a bunch for the non-stress test. Her heart rate didn't accelerate like they would have liked it to during movements but she kept a fairly steady baseline and had no dips in her heart rate.  Next Wednesday I will have another ultrasound to check on her growth, to make sure no fluid is building up around her organs and to measure my amniotic fluid. 

Give praise to the Lord for keeping Cassiana strong!!  Thank you so much for your cont...
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Here is a better explanations of Cassiana's diagnoses. I hope it helps to better understand her conditions and the challenges she faces.

Diagnoses:

 

        Hypoplastic Left Heart – the left ventricle is underdeveloped and non-functioning.

 

        Double Outlet Right Ventricle – both of the heart’s outlets (the aorta and the pulmonary artery) arise from the right ventricle.

 

        Malposed Great Vessels - an abnormal positioning of the great vessels.

 

        Mitral valve ...

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Had my weekly appointments today. High-risk OB ordered an ultrasound to check for fluid around Cassiana's organs. Praise God, she has not developed any fluid around her organs and is not showing any signs of distress. The amniotic fluid is below average and they want to check that again in two weeks when they check her growth.

Pray that the amniotic fluid doesn't drop too much in the coming weeks and that Cassiana stays strong.

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Only about 7 more weeks to go until Cassiana will be here.  I now go to the University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics weekly to ensure that Cassiana is not showing any signs of distress.  At the end of this month my weekly appointments will include me being checked for signs of dilation and if I am dilated at 2 or more I will be kept in the hospital.  Currently, the plan is to induce me around 39 weeks (around June 21).

 

Cassiana's diagnosis is Double Outlet Right Ventricle with both great ves...

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