A Quick Update

I've been having mild pre-labor contractions: cramps, backaches, tightening of the uterus, and heaviness. They have been, like I said, mild and inconsistent. I told Dr. Liu about this during the prenatal checkup last night, and he simply listened and nodded.

We discussed our birth options last night and scheduled the surgery for this Friday. If I go into labor before Friday, we'll just go to the hospital and take it by ear. Otherwise, I'll check into the hospital on Thursday around 2pm (that's 11pm on Wednesday for you folks in the Pacific northwest) and go into surgery first thing in the morning on Friday (possibly around 4am on Thursday your time).

The surgery involves two parts: delivery of the baby and post chemo second-look surgery. During the delivery, it's just like a regular C-section in which I'll receive an epidural to numb from the waist down. Dr. Liu will take the baby out, show him to me, and there will be a team of OB/GYNs and nurses tending to the baby. Once they make sure everything is fine with Peanut, they'll show him to Bill and the family in the family lounge outside the OR before taking him to the nursery (Joey, Genevieve, and my mom will be in the lounge with Bill).

Once the baby's out and my uterus is sutured, I will be put under general anesthesia for further examination. Dr. Liu will inspect the abdomen to check for growth and collect samples for biopsies. If they found something suspicious, Dr. Liu will do a frozen section of it and the result will be out in about an hour.

Before we left his office last night, I asked Dr. Liu if he'd like to know what Peanut's Chinese name is. At first, he was all like, "Oh... you don't have to decide on a name now 'cause it'll say your name on his bracelet", but then he admitted that he was curious what the name is. I explained that we want Peanut's name to be meaningful and possibly reflect what we've been through in the last few years. And we couldn't have done it without Dr. Liu! That's why Peanut's Chinese given name consists of a word from Dr. Liu's name "Jia", which means excellence, and "Kai", which means triumph.

Dr. Liu replied, "Well, you are a medical miracle yourself! I mean, the success was not the work of one individual. It's team work... " He looked at Bill, "You know... the oncologist, gynecologists, obstetricians, anesthesiologists..."

We could tell he was touched and pleased though.

I called the nursery this morning to ask about post surgery baby care because I want to have 24-hour room-in and I'd like to start breastfeeding as soon as I come out of surgery. The nurse I talked to was extremely helpful and patient. This is what we learned:

• The hospital strongly encourages 24-hour room-in, so as long as I'm alert and physically capable (for example, I can sit up and get out of bed), they'll put the baby in the room.
• I will also be able to breastfeed even with post-surgery pain management medication. First of all, they will make sure that the medication is safe for the baby (you know... I probably won't be hooked up on Morphine or any hard drugs like that). Also, for the first couple of days, my milk will not have come in yet. The first couple of days after birth is mostly the time when Bill and I learn to care for Peanut and when Peanut and I practice and master the choreography of breastfeeding.

At the end of the phone conversation, the nurse asked for my name. "I just wanna make a note so we'll pay special attention to you and your baby. After all, you've been through so much and this baby is nothing short of a miracle. Personally..." she chuckled, "I can't wait to meet him! You said your surgery's Friday, right?!"

I know we'll be in good hands. Bill will send out text messages to announce Peanut's birth, and we'll upload pictures as soon as we have some. 3 more days!!!