Tough As Nails

My wife is as tough as nails. I remember being in awe of her strength during Ava and Casey's births. I watch her prick her fingers several times a day and insert needles into her body and she hardly makes a face. People who are around her when she exercises tell me that they are amazed by her determination and work ethic.

This pregnancy was hard on her body. Brady was a large baby and the diabetes also led to large amounts of amniotic fluid in the womb. Ali had a hard time getting comfortable during the last few weeks and had a string of annoying health issues over the entire pregnancy.

We had planned on having the C-section on Friday, March 2. We were looking forward to Ali staying off her feet while the rest of the family took care of her and the baby. I know that she was looking forward to being pampered after a grueling pregnancy and surgery. The circumstances of Brady's birth changed all of that.

When Brady was moved to a different hospital, it was such a surreal experience. It was so strange that first night to be sleeping in the hospital without the sound of a crying baby being wheeled into the room. Ali was pumping milk every three hours and there was no baby to feed. Our family came to visit us at the hospital and we didn't have a baby to show them.

We sat around the hospital room waiting for a phone call from the NICU with any updates on how our baby was doing. Was he going to live? What were they doing to him? Ali had seen Brady for less than a minute in the first 24 hours he was alive. We desperately wanted to be near our baby.

We had a couple of options. Ali could be discharged from the hospital the day after major surgery and we would need to care for her the rest of the way. We didn't feel comfortable with that. Our doctors were also making phone calls to see if we could be transferred to the same hospital as Brady. They found a doctor who would take her into her care and we are forever grateful for that.

We then had a couple of options on how to get Ali to the U of M. Since it wasn't an emergency transfer, we would need to pay our own way. If we wanted to keep Ali lying down, we would need to go by ambulance. This would cost us between $5,000 and $10,000. If Ali could recover enough to sit in a wheelchair, we could take a hospital van for $120. It seemed like a pretty easy decision. Ali immediately went to work on getting out of bed, sitting in a chair, and going to the bathroom enough to transfer by van.

About 24 hours after the C-section, we were in a new hospital. We were able to stay in a room on the same floor as the NICU. We had a wheelchair to keep Ali off her feet, but she was moving way more than she should because she wanted to care for her son. She had waited for an entire day to be a mom.

Being diabetic and being way too active prevented Ali's incision from healing completely. Ali had her C-section on Tuesday, 2/28 and had her incision reopened on Monday, 3/5.

She walked around for the last three days with an open gash the length of her torso. She never once complained about the pain, although I did see her grimace every time she got up from a chair or bed and needed to use the muscles around the wound.

The doctor today examined the wound and found that it was free from infection. She said that it was healing very well from the inside. She pulled out a long needle and began pricking the skin all around the wound. This was the only pain medication she would use before she stapled it shut.

The procedure went extremely well. Ali stopped her once and asked for more shots to dull the pain, but she never made another sound. The doctor is hopeful that the skin will heal entirely this time. We go back in on Monday to have it checked, and then they will schedule another appointment to have the staples removed within 7-10 days.

Ali never looked at the wound over the past three days. I took a before and after picture of the procedure. Ali saw the picture and we had a conversation about whether or not to share it with all of you. We decided to post the pictures and let you decide whether or not to look. I consider the picture a badge of honor for my wife. I can't find the words to describe the toughness she showed these past three days, but they say a picture says a thousand words.

If you do look at the picture, you'll see why we don't want the wound to reopen. Please continue to keep Ali in your thoughts and prayers as she continues to heal.

After the procedure, we wheeled back to the NICU to spend time with our son. Brady had another great day. He's starting to open his eyes more and more. His tests all came back today with good news. They are continuing to add to his food intake (he will reach the maximum tomorrow) and he's now filling those diapers like healthy babies do.

The will remove the line in his belly tomorrow (used to draw blood for testing), and he will now be able to wear clothes. I know that Ali is excited to dress her baby.

My mom and dad visited today and they were amazed at how much he has changed. He looks and acts like a baby now. Ali's sister was there all day with Ali and was excited to have the opportunity to hold him at the end of the day. I also held him today and I feel asleep briefly. Brady has that magical power to make you forget all of the stresses of the world.

They hope to have him off the breathing assistance completely in the next couple of days. Once his breathing is good, the last step is eating. This can take a week (or more or less).

They also moved him into a different wing of the NICU. This is partly because he is so stable and partly to help accommodate a baby with more pressing needs. His new bed is situated next to a large window, and Brady is seeing the outside world with open eyes for the first time.

Today was a great day for Ali and Brady. I'm so proud of their strength, resiliency, and toughness. And we want to thank all of you for your words of support, encouragement and love. Every message and prayer makes us feel more uplifted and empowered. Please keep them coming. :)

With love,

Tyler, Ali, Ava, Casey and Brady