Small Talk: The Prayer Closet

[Wellfleet]

In case I ever forget to thank them daily, I wanted to take a moment a j d thank these wonderful NICU nurses. From the moment Maisie got back here, they've been focused on her needs, our needs, and even the needs we didn't think we needed.

Maisie's due date was this past week and, to be honest, with everything that has happened, I'd forgotten that it was a milestone. A due date didn't seem to apply anymore because we knew we weren't going home on that date and, for our girl, it would be one more day of struggle. The nurses came in to our room with a wonderful little cake - for the three of us. They put a special little sign on her door and gave her a new blanket. It was such a genuinely kind gesture. Each nurse who has been on Maisie's team wrote a little note on a 6x6 square of paper, since they know I want to create a scrapbook. But, more than that, they gave us this piece of paper on which they'd photocopied her original footprints and overlayed that with her current footprints so we could see how far she has come. It is a treasure.

The Easter Bunny visited every NICU baby and left a Beanie Baby Bunny. Except for our girl- she got a lb additional gift- a onesie, from her primary nurse, that has "I'm the Khaleesi!" Embroidered on it. Lol.

 

BIG sniff. Wow, you certainly did luck out in the nurse department, wanderwoman. Your stories about them remind me of something a college friend of mine told me 30 years ago when doing her residency [family medicine] in Boston. "You know what I'm learning, Wellfleet? That doctors don't save lives - nurses do..." Blew me away back then, but how right she was. I was thinking about Maisie yesterday & hoping the Easter Bunny had stopped by her crib, and after what you've told us, it sounds like maybe the EB is on permanent staff there. Sending a big virtual squeeze, hope you're all healthy and home very soon.

[Jellybeans]

Wanderwoman, hearing from you and knowing Maisie is back where she is safe makes my day. I appreciate each and every update you share with us. :-)

[dillpickles]

Oh, wanderwoman. I'm so glad to hear your stories. I've said it before, but it really makes me happy to hear how well your little girl is doing.

[amitville]

In case I ever forget to thank them daily, I wanted to take a moment a j d thank these wonderful NICU nurses. From the moment Maisie got back here, they've been focused on her needs, our needs, and even the needs we didn't think we needed.

Maisie's due date was this past week and, to be honest, with everything that has happened, I'd forgotten that it was a milestone. A due date didn't seem to apply anymore because we knew we weren't going home on that date and, for our girl, it would be one more day of struggle. The nurses came in to our room with a wonderful little cake - for the three of us. They put a special little sign on her door and gave her a new blanket. It was such a genuinely kind gesture. Each nurse who has been on Maisie's team wrote a little note on a 6x6 square of paper, since they know I want to create a scrapbook. But, more than that, they gave us this piece of paper on which they'd photocopied her original footprints and overlayed that with her current footprints so we could see how far she has come. It is a treasure.

The Easter Bunny visited every NICU baby and left a Beanie Baby Bunny. Except for our girl- she got a lb additional gift- a onesie, from her primary nurse, that has "I'm the Khaleesi!" Embroidered on it. Lol.

 i am very teary this morning reading this beautiful post it touched my heart.  Our Maisie  is a treasure to so many. As Always ffhugs love and kisses to you hubby and our Maisie

Edited April 8, 2015 by amitville

[Marigold]

Glad you are stable back at the first NICU.

Continuing to pray for your daughter.

[Honeycocoa]

Wanderwoman I happened to be online and read the first version of your big post. It was a doozy, you have been through so very much. I hope you were able to save it somewhere for yourself. I'm hoping your laptop ( or tablet or whatever) has some type of Journal app so you can cut and paste all your entries and then add whatever private details you want. Writing it all down can be so theraputic and It will be amazing to read through in the future.

Nurses are amazing people, and they do it every day. I appreciate them so much. I hope they kept the comfy chair for you and your friends and family can bring you good food. Take good care of yourself. and thank you for updating us.

[Lukeysboat]

Thank you for the update, Wanderwoman. I will continue to pray for your dear family. I hope each day for Maisie is better than that one before. Hugs!

[Catlyn]

Hugging you right back.  I'm cyber cleaning your home, leaving dinners in the freezer, and getting Maisie some Legos at Toys R Us.  You know, because Barbie...she's a little boring at times.

 

Hugs to Wanderwoman and I'm right there helping CherryMalotte. But, I've slipped Barbie in the basket along with some big ol' Tonka trucks. Barbie isn't boring if you know how. As a kid, I didn't see anything wrong with Barbie moving sand and dirt in my brothers Tonka trucks, then having her go home and put on her party clothes and going out. Or her dressing in my brothers GI Joe gear for a day on maneuvers then, again, dressing in gowns for a night at the Prince's ball.

[NoThyme]

Wanderwoman, so glad to read the update. Hugs to you a nd Maisie.

[allonsyalice]

I wonder what "Jill" and "Derick" mean?

 

 

Okay, so the sites i've looked at are in agreeance that Jill is short for Jillian. Jillian means Youthful and has an English origin. 

Derick means People Ruler, and also has an English origin.

(more fun facts, Jill apparently entered the top 100 list in 1957, dropping off completely in 2000. Derick, er well, Derek was on the top 100 list in the US for 25 years, 1970-1995.)

Youthful suits Jill. A lot. 

[Marigold]

Checking in on Maisie.

I love that name so much!

[Jellybeans]

Was wondering if anyone had heard from Wanderwoman.

[Marigold]

wondering the same thing...Hope they are OK.

[hlemommy]

For the duggars not to have a tv, smart phones, or to much outside influences, when they start courting they sure know how to work their phones, instagram, Facebook, and twitter. I'm starting to believe they have access to these things and just don't let the public know

Didn't know where to put this so here it is

[amitville]

Was wondering if anyone had heard from Wanderwoman.

I have been wondering the same thing also . Also wonder is Brain62 is okay.

[Wellfleet]

wondering the same thing...Hope they are OK.

 

I thought I noticed a comment from wanderwoman - over the weekend perhaps? In a content thread - not the Prayer Closet. I assumed that things with lil Maisie must be holding steady for now.

[Micks Picks]

I agree, Somebody Find Brian.  Miss him in the prayer closet or wherever he visits.

[Ilovemylabs]

I thought I noticed a comment from wanderwoman - over the weekend perhaps? In a content thread - not the Prayer Closet. I assumed that things with lil Maisie must be holding steady for now.

From your lips to God's ears.

[wanderwoman]

Hi! I'm sorry I've been negligent in posting updates but life is just overwhelmingly right now. Short bullet points, ok?

+ Maisie hit 7 lbs. That's a huge milestone. She seems to have lost some hearing during on her seizures. They're unsure to what extent but testing will be done very soon. I think, given the very scary seizures we witnessed, DH and I are just happy that's the worst- we can deal with deafness. Her brain scan shows damage to the audiological center in the brain, but we suspect her mind is forming connections to rewire because she does somewhat respond to sound. She is smiling now, purposefully. :)

+ daddy spent a weekend with her so I could go home for the first time in months. I'm thinking of starting a blog because coming home without her and without our baby boy really hurt.

+ we may be released in two weeks. I will post more later.

[ChocolateAddict]

Congratulations on the progress that Maisie has made! 7lbs is fantastic, she is such a little fighter :)

 

I hope that you will be able to take Maisie home soon, I can't imagine how hard it must be to have to be at the hospital all the time.  I'm sure it will be a very special moment for all of you.  

[amitville]

Hi! I'm sorry I've been negligent in posting updates but life is just overwhelmingly right now. Short bullet points, ok?

+ Maisie hit 7 lbs. That's a huge milestone. She seems to have lost some hearing during on her seizures. They're unsure to what extent but testing will be done very soon. I think, given the very scary seizures we witnessed, DH and I are just happy that's the worst- we can deal with deafness. Her brain scan shows damage to the audiological center in the brain, but we suspect her mind is forming connections to rewire because she does somewhat respond to sound. She is smiling now, purposefully. :)

+ daddy spent a weekend with her so I could go home for the first time in months. I'm thinking of starting a blog because coming home without her and without our baby boy really hurt.

+ we may be released in two weeks. I will post more later.

7 pounds that is wonderful.   I am  thinking you and your family for days glad you updated your cyber family.  As always i am sending ffhugs kisses and love and prays to you and hubby and our baby Maisie. 

[Catlyn]

Great news about Maisie hitting 7 pounds. Praying she continues to thrive. Love to think she is now smiling! Since she is responding to sound, I hope her hearing loss in minor. Thinking about your little family, take care of your selves!

[GEML]

A smiling seven pound Maisie sounds wondeful to me!

[Readalot]

Yea! I hope Maisie continues on her progress path and you get to come home in two weeks. Prayers and XOXO to our lil one.

[Jellybeans]

wanderwoman, I am deaf and have been since I was a baby. If you ever need a layman's perspective, let me know. she is young, and yes Maisie's brain is probably re-wiring itself. The brain of a baby is truly amazing!

So happy to have an update.

[Marigold]

Congrats on her weight gain! Wonderful news.

I'm so sorry about the hearing loss.

Thanks for the update!

[Absolom]

I hope things continue to improve.  Thanks so much for the update and I'm so glad to hear that she can smile at you now.

[Love2dance]

Thanks so much for the good news about the weight gain and sweet smiles, Wanderwoman. Please let us know when you start your blog and where to find it. Hugs!

[Wellfleet]

Great news about baby Maisie - seven pounds is terrific! Someday you won't believe she was ever this small. Good luck with everything, take care of yourself too and keep us posted as you can. A big virtual hug for 'She Who Is Fierce.' Blessings for the nurses too! :>)

[3girlsforus]

Wonderful news on Maisie!! She is definitely fierce. 

[NEGirl]

Wonderwomen - I am new to this form and just wanted to say how happy I am that your beautiful little Maisie has reached seven pounds.  My continued prayers for you all and God Bless.

Edited April 18, 2015 by NEGirl

[JenCarroll]

I had really bad skin in college. I babysat for the loveliest family near campus, the dad was an OB/GYN - and he offered to give me a prescription for the pill because at the time it was supposed to help with that. I declined because I don't like to take meds on a long-term basis unless truly necessary; besides I thought the real cause was probably diet. Do people still take the pill for acne or has that theory been quashed?

Well, my daughter went on the pill for, you know, birth control, but she says her acne cleared up a lot.

[allonsyalice]

yeah, when I went to see my doc about the pill (didn't take it because i realized I was never gonna have sex) but then i went again to see her about my raging acne, she told me that going on the pill would really help it. 

[Foghorn Leghorn]

yeah, when I went to see my doc about the pill (didn't take it because i realized I was never gonna have sex) but then i went again to see her about my raging acne, she told me that going on the pill would really help it. 

 

Well the pill controls hormones that usually control acne so makes sense!

[allonsyalice]

Yeah, I'm tempted to go on it to get rid of the acne, haha, but that would be the only reason for it.She's actually prescribed me different stuff that if I use it nightly, it'll work. 

[KatWay]

I take the pill for skin problems. It's the only thing that really helped me in the long run. Works beautifully though, and also helps with cramps. My grandmother took the pill even until after menopause, because she was just so used to it. The doctor was aghast when she at some point happened to mention it off-handedly. She must have taken it for over fourty years! And she's 90 now and in pretty good shape.

[DangerousMinds]

I would love to hear about the novels too, but I don't know if revealing your real name is advisable on a public forum.

[GEML]

I won't reveal my name, but one novel is called THE MIDWIFE'S TALE and one is a THE MINER'S DAUGHTER. Both are set in WV. That should give you enough info to track me down, or you can private message me! Thanks for asking! :)

[Foghorn Leghorn]

I won't reveal my name, but one novel is called THE MIDWIFE'S TALE and one is a THE MINER'S DAUGHTER. Both are set in WV. That should give you enough info to track me down, or you can private message me! Thanks for asking! :)

 

Congratulations, thanks for sharing, I will go check them out! 

Edited April 20, 2015 by Foghorn Leghorn

[GEML]

(Lowers eyes modestly)

[Jellybeans]

(Lowers eyes modestly)

going to read them. :-)

[Westiepeach]

I am as well! Looked them up on Amazon. Very excited to "know" a published author! Not that we are stalkers or anything ... :)

[wanderwoman]

Maisie update: I haven't had time to update because we have been overwhelmed by coordinating care for Miss Maisie. The good news is she's only using supplemental oxygen now. That's one step towards going home. From the information we've been given, she will probably go home with oxygen and need it for several months. She caught a bug a few days ago and it didn't completely sideline her progress, so that was a step forward. We met with the audiologist and he confirmed our fears that she has hearing loss. But, after all of the possible outcomes for a baby her size, and given the setbacks she has had, we are truly grateful that she's as healthy as she is. We can handle hearing loss. They will do further studies next week to see where, from profoundly deaf to slight hearing loss, she falls on the spectrum. I suspect she has some hearing because, before the nightmare transfer, she could hear very well. She reacts to very loud noises, just not as we would. Loud noises seem to interest her. But, her vision seems perfect and her other neurological milestones are being hit as adjusted for her gestational age. She is very smiley and content. She has been making cooing noises and grabs at things in her reach. Now we just have to start prepping for our transition home. They said if there are no major set backs, we might be able to go home in two to three weeks. :)

[GEML]

I'm MODEST!!! ;)

THE MINER'S DAUGHTER is young adult. If you don't like darker stories, I'd recommend that regardless of age. MIDWIFE can be dark, and not for everyone Both are same area and time period and based on true stories.

It's so exciting to know Maisie might be coming home soon! To know that she can handle an illness, and is breathing more on her own. The hearing loss is frustrating, but there are some great resources available to help there. How lovely to think of her growing, responding and learning!

[Lukeysboat]

GEML, I read The Midwife's Tale years ago. When you mentioned earlier that you'd written a book on this topic, I realized it was yours but didn't want to out you in the forum. ;) I spent many years writing and editing material (online, magazines, books) concerning pregnancy, L&D, and parenting. Interesting stuff!

[Absolom]

So glad to hear such positive news about Maisie.  I'm ticked at the insurance company over what they did and I don't even know you in person.  I so hope you're home and settled in just a couple of weeks.

[Readalot]

Wonderful news about Maisie. A few weeks will go by fast. Must be a relief to have all of that interaction with her. Enjoy every minute!

[GEML]

Lukey- thank you for not outing me! I spent ten years studying maternal health and midwifery in Appalachia before the book was published and it became a subject I became very passionate about by the time I was done.

I'm working on a book about post-partum depression now, especially at the time women were institutionalized in asylums and compared to today. After that, I'm writing my "growing up Fundamentalist novel." You all will recognize a lot of those stories! ;)

Edited April 20, 2015 by GEML

[3girlsforus]

Getting the book too... I've heard of it but hadn't read it yet. Looking forward to it :-)

[wanderwoman]

I think I've read your book, GEML. :)