Lucas had his followup in Alexandria today and everything came back excellent. His platelets were up to 161,000 (120,000 is the benchmark) and his billirubin was down to 11! It doesn't mean we are out of the woods yet, but right now it looks like the antibodies are left over from Denise and not some he has been producing. He will have another blood test Thursday and probably be followed closely for the next few weeks.
That is all from here. I will post more when I know more. Thanks everyone!!!
Troy, Denise, Libby and Lucas
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
One Week Checkup - Off To Childrens We Go!
Well, what an eventful last couple of days we have had around here!!! For those of you that know we got sent to Children's Hospital in Minneapolis on Thursday, sorry I haven't updated this sooner with this information.
On Thursday, Lucas had his one week checkup. Everything was fine when we saw his pediatrician, but he had to have some blood work done also. That is when things started to get a little "hairy".
When Lucas left the hospital, his billirubin was 9 and his platelet level was at 90,000 (they like them to be around 120,000). But with Denise having low platelets, the level he was sent home with was more than acceptable and had actually rose since birth. Well, after two rounds of blood tests (the second just to confirm the numbers), his platelets had dropped down to 10,000 and his billirubin had risen to 17 (jaundice). Well, we were sent to get a "billi-blanket" for him while the pediatrician called Children's to see what should be done with that low of a platelet count. They basically told us we had to get down there that day. They were concerned with blood that thin and unable to clot that Lucas could have a bleed somewhere and we would not even know it. So, after quickly packing a few things, we were off to Minneapolis to see if we could get to the bottom of this.
After a stressful ride down there (massive rain storms with several spin outs on the Interstate), we made it safely and made our way to the Specialty Clinics. There, we were seen by a team of three hematologists and they did their blood draws. After some consultation, we were then admitted into the hospital where Lucas would receive an IVIG treatment (IV Immune Globulin).
Lucas has preliminarily been diagnosed with ITP, or Immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura. What that means is that he has an antibody that is attacking his platelets, causing his levels to drop. He more than likely picked this up from Denise during pregnancy, and we are not sure how she got it. It seems to be something that just shows up and no one really knows why. By giving Lucas IVIG, they are hoping to confuse the antibodies and get them to attack each other until his body gets strong enough to fight them off on his own.
So, after a fairly sleepless Thursday night at Children's Hospital, they did some more blood tests on Lucas. His billirubin had dropped to 12.9 and his platelets were up to 45,000. They were surprised that his platelets had risen that much in that short of time after the IVIG, as the peak is usually not realized until day three after treatment. So they were more than happy to discharge us and we were more than happy to go.
Tomorrow (Monday), he has a follow up appointment at the clinic in Alexandria where they will do another blood draw and check his platelets and billirubin. The results will be sent to Children's and they will coordinate with Alexandria on treatment/follow ups.
So, what does ITP mean for Lucas? Well, we don't know as he is only a week old. Best case scenario, his body fights it off and there will be nothing for us to worry about. Worst case scenario, he will have the condition his whole life, which isn't a bad thing. It just means we will have to monitor his platelet levels and watch for any abnormal bruising. But for the most part, he will have a normal life.
Denise will have an appointment with a hematologist on Thursday to try and see what the reason is for her low platelets. More than likely her diagnosis will be the same thing. If it is, it is something you can live a fairly normal life with. We actually had a nurse at Children's that has had it for 23 years. She got it in her third pregnancy. She said she gets tired from time to time and has to watch what medicines she takes, but otherwise, she hasn't really had to change her life style. But, if it is worst case scenario, they would have to remove Denise's spleen. But that is the extreme and hardly happens.
And now, a few pictures for you!
Here is what was waiting for Denise and Lucas when they came home from the hospital!
Troy, Libby and Lucas, all asleep in the chair one night! That is Libby's teddy bear, not daddy's!
And this one is from today, Libby and Lucas sharing daddy's lap during the Vikings game.
That is about all from here. We will update more as we know more! Thanks for your thoughts and prayers everyone!
On Thursday, Lucas had his one week checkup. Everything was fine when we saw his pediatrician, but he had to have some blood work done also. That is when things started to get a little "hairy".
When Lucas left the hospital, his billirubin was 9 and his platelet level was at 90,000 (they like them to be around 120,000). But with Denise having low platelets, the level he was sent home with was more than acceptable and had actually rose since birth. Well, after two rounds of blood tests (the second just to confirm the numbers), his platelets had dropped down to 10,000 and his billirubin had risen to 17 (jaundice). Well, we were sent to get a "billi-blanket" for him while the pediatrician called Children's to see what should be done with that low of a platelet count. They basically told us we had to get down there that day. They were concerned with blood that thin and unable to clot that Lucas could have a bleed somewhere and we would not even know it. So, after quickly packing a few things, we were off to Minneapolis to see if we could get to the bottom of this.
After a stressful ride down there (massive rain storms with several spin outs on the Interstate), we made it safely and made our way to the Specialty Clinics. There, we were seen by a team of three hematologists and they did their blood draws. After some consultation, we were then admitted into the hospital where Lucas would receive an IVIG treatment (IV Immune Globulin).
Lucas has preliminarily been diagnosed with ITP, or Immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura. What that means is that he has an antibody that is attacking his platelets, causing his levels to drop. He more than likely picked this up from Denise during pregnancy, and we are not sure how she got it. It seems to be something that just shows up and no one really knows why. By giving Lucas IVIG, they are hoping to confuse the antibodies and get them to attack each other until his body gets strong enough to fight them off on his own.
So, after a fairly sleepless Thursday night at Children's Hospital, they did some more blood tests on Lucas. His billirubin had dropped to 12.9 and his platelets were up to 45,000. They were surprised that his platelets had risen that much in that short of time after the IVIG, as the peak is usually not realized until day three after treatment. So they were more than happy to discharge us and we were more than happy to go.
Tomorrow (Monday), he has a follow up appointment at the clinic in Alexandria where they will do another blood draw and check his platelets and billirubin. The results will be sent to Children's and they will coordinate with Alexandria on treatment/follow ups.
So, what does ITP mean for Lucas? Well, we don't know as he is only a week old. Best case scenario, his body fights it off and there will be nothing for us to worry about. Worst case scenario, he will have the condition his whole life, which isn't a bad thing. It just means we will have to monitor his platelet levels and watch for any abnormal bruising. But for the most part, he will have a normal life.
Denise will have an appointment with a hematologist on Thursday to try and see what the reason is for her low platelets. More than likely her diagnosis will be the same thing. If it is, it is something you can live a fairly normal life with. We actually had a nurse at Children's that has had it for 23 years. She got it in her third pregnancy. She said she gets tired from time to time and has to watch what medicines she takes, but otherwise, she hasn't really had to change her life style. But, if it is worst case scenario, they would have to remove Denise's spleen. But that is the extreme and hardly happens.
And now, a few pictures for you!
Here is what was waiting for Denise and Lucas when they came home from the hospital!
Troy, Libby and Lucas, all asleep in the chair one night! That is Libby's teddy bear, not daddy's!
And this one is from today, Libby and Lucas sharing daddy's lap during the Vikings game.
That is about all from here. We will update more as we know more! Thanks for your thoughts and prayers everyone!Troy, Denise, Libby and Lucas
Sunday, September 19, 2010
The Kiss
Just had to get this picture up tonight! Libby giving Lucas a kiss goodbye and see you tomorrow!!
Sunday Update
Just a quick note here to give everyone an update.
Denise will be released from the hospital on Monday. She was put on prednisone to elevate her platelet level and will be following up with a specialist in a clinic setting.
Lucas continues to improve. He has been removed from the IV and is now nursing and being supplemented with bottle feedings. He has a slight case of jaundice, so they are doing photo light therapy to help his body break it down. They are not sure when he will be discharged, but it will not be Monday. Depending on his billirubin tests and his eating, it should be this week sometime. He is able to now come out of the nursery and visit us for 15-30 minutes at a time for feedings, so that is a plus. It allowed both sets of grandparents to see him up close last night, as did big sister Libby.
Once Denise is released, she will be able to become a "boarder". What this does is allow us to rent a room at the hospital to store our things, sleep at if we wish, and just stay close to Lucas. She will get meal service and use of the "facilities", but no nursing care.
So that is it for now. More to come later!
Troy, Denise, Libby and Lucas
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Lucas and Denise Update
Good afternoon and happy Saturday. I figured I would throw up a couple of new pictures of Lucas and give an update on mom and baby.
Things continue to progress here, just not as fast as we would probably like. Denise's platelets continue to fluctuate, so much that we met with and Internal Medicine doctor today. He is going to run a battery of more specific blood tests and see if we can't get to the bottom of this. Her blood pressure has risen some, but not nearly as bad as it was, so he is going to look into that more also. But she is not bleeding and there is no bruising, so that is a great thing. Right now, they are looking at Monday as her discharge.
Lucas was taken off his oxygen on Thursday night and his stats are doing very well without it. He is on IV nutrition and has been supplemented with breast milk as he will take it. His platelets are low also, around 90 and they would like him 120-130 range. They are thinking it is probably just a bi product of what Denise had going on and will come out of it as his body keeps maturing. But they are monitoring it just to make sure. He hasn't been out of the nursery yet, but we have been able to go in there and hold him.
These pictures are from Thursday night, when Denise was able to get up and go see him for the first time, about 12 hours after he was born. He did also open his eyes for the first time during this visit, and of course, they are blue! Go figure, huh????
That is about all for now. I will keep everyone updated. Thanks!
Things continue to progress here, just not as fast as we would probably like. Denise's platelets continue to fluctuate, so much that we met with and Internal Medicine doctor today. He is going to run a battery of more specific blood tests and see if we can't get to the bottom of this. Her blood pressure has risen some, but not nearly as bad as it was, so he is going to look into that more also. But she is not bleeding and there is no bruising, so that is a great thing. Right now, they are looking at Monday as her discharge.
Lucas was taken off his oxygen on Thursday night and his stats are doing very well without it. He is on IV nutrition and has been supplemented with breast milk as he will take it. His platelets are low also, around 90 and they would like him 120-130 range. They are thinking it is probably just a bi product of what Denise had going on and will come out of it as his body keeps maturing. But they are monitoring it just to make sure. He hasn't been out of the nursery yet, but we have been able to go in there and hold him.
These pictures are from Thursday night, when Denise was able to get up and go see him for the first time, about 12 hours after he was born. He did also open his eyes for the first time during this visit, and of course, they are blue! Go figure, huh????
That is about all for now. I will keep everyone updated. Thanks!
Troy, Denise, Libby and Lucas
Thursday, September 16, 2010
HELLO Lucas Troy Mills
Well, what an eventful couple of days it has been. When I did the previous update, we did not see coming what the last couple of days has brought us.
On Monday, Denise had a visit with her OB/GYN. Her blood pressure had spiked and they put her on bed rest ASAP. Then, later in the afternoon, they called back and said they needed to admit her to the hospital Monday night as her platelets had fallen to 31, where they should be up around 100. They were not sure what the problem was, but were concerned with pre-eclampsia or HELLPS disease. Basically two things that can happen during pregnancy. But Denise's kidneys and liver were fine, so that ruled out pre-eclampsia and left us with HELLPS disease. This basically happens with 8% of pregnancies, and if caught, there should not be any problems in the future.
On Tuesday, they ran some tests and with meds, Denise's platelet had risen from 31 to 44. So, they planned the C-Section for Wednesday morning. But when Wednesday rolled around, the anesthesiologist didn't want to do the C-Section with her platelets only at 69. So, we had to wait until Thursday.
Thursday morning rolls around and the platelets were at 89, so the C-Section was a go. They had to give Denise some platelets to get her through the procedure, but she got through it with flying colors. Her blood pressure has dropped back down to normal, so now it is just monitoring that and watching her platelets to make sure they are coming back up. In most cases of HELLPS, platelet levels get back to normal with 2 to 4 weeks.
So, onto Lucas. Being 4 weeks early, there were some concerns with him also. Basically, all concerns revolved around the lungs. Boys lungs tend to develop a little slower in the womb compared to girls. But, he came out screaming, which was a relief! And at 8:39 am, here is what joined us in the world!
I had to get a picture of his foot as he was just putting in out there!
Here he is while being looked over in the OR. He doesn't look too happy, which I guess I can't blame him as his life has been turned upside down!
Here is Denise and Lucas seeing each other for the first time. It was then off to the nursery.
Kind of a blurry picture, but Lucas weighs in at 7 pounds and 9 ounces.
Lucas did not like the oxygen in his nose at all. But his crying is a good thing as it helps clear his lungs out.
Here he is a little more relaxed with daddy in the nursery with him.
Ahhhhhh..... peaceful!
On Monday, Denise had a visit with her OB/GYN. Her blood pressure had spiked and they put her on bed rest ASAP. Then, later in the afternoon, they called back and said they needed to admit her to the hospital Monday night as her platelets had fallen to 31, where they should be up around 100. They were not sure what the problem was, but were concerned with pre-eclampsia or HELLPS disease. Basically two things that can happen during pregnancy. But Denise's kidneys and liver were fine, so that ruled out pre-eclampsia and left us with HELLPS disease. This basically happens with 8% of pregnancies, and if caught, there should not be any problems in the future.
On Tuesday, they ran some tests and with meds, Denise's platelet had risen from 31 to 44. So, they planned the C-Section for Wednesday morning. But when Wednesday rolled around, the anesthesiologist didn't want to do the C-Section with her platelets only at 69. So, we had to wait until Thursday.
Thursday morning rolls around and the platelets were at 89, so the C-Section was a go. They had to give Denise some platelets to get her through the procedure, but she got through it with flying colors. Her blood pressure has dropped back down to normal, so now it is just monitoring that and watching her platelets to make sure they are coming back up. In most cases of HELLPS, platelet levels get back to normal with 2 to 4 weeks.
So, onto Lucas. Being 4 weeks early, there were some concerns with him also. Basically, all concerns revolved around the lungs. Boys lungs tend to develop a little slower in the womb compared to girls. But, he came out screaming, which was a relief! And at 8:39 am, here is what joined us in the world!
I had to get a picture of his foot as he was just putting in out there!
Here he is while being looked over in the OR. He doesn't look too happy, which I guess I can't blame him as his life has been turned upside down!
Here is Denise and Lucas seeing each other for the first time. It was then off to the nursery.
Kind of a blurry picture, but Lucas weighs in at 7 pounds and 9 ounces.
Lucas did not like the oxygen in his nose at all. But his crying is a good thing as it helps clear his lungs out.
Here he is a little more relaxed with daddy in the nursery with him.
Ahhhhhh..... peaceful!
The next couple of hours and few days for that matter, will be important. They figure Denise won't be going home until Monday as they want to monitor her vital. Right now with Lucas, everything is still up in the air, but the first three plus hours have been great for the little guy.
Libby will get her first look at her "baby brother" this evening as she will come back with Grandpa Curt and Grandma Rosie! I can't wait to see her reaction!
Thanks everyone for your thoughts and prayers! They mean a lot to us!
I will type more and post more pictures later!
Troy, Denise, Libby and Lucas
Sunday, September 12, 2010
We Have A Two Year Old
Hello Family and Friends! Summer is winding down and days of fall are just about upon us.
My how the last two years have flown by. Below is one of the first pictures we had done with Libby. This one was within the first month she was born.
Now, here are the pictures we just had done as her two year old pictures. WOW, what a change!
We did have a birthday party this year for Libby with family showing up. Cousins Abby and Maddy were very helpful showing Libby what she is suppose to do with presents!
The next picture is Libby patiently awaiting her cake!
My how the last two years have flown by. Below is one of the first pictures we had done with Libby. This one was within the first month she was born.
Now, here are the pictures we just had done as her two year old pictures. WOW, what a change!
We did have a birthday party this year for Libby with family showing up. Cousins Abby and Maddy were very helpful showing Libby what she is suppose to do with presents!
The next picture is Libby patiently awaiting her cake!
Every morning as we are getting ready to go to work/daycare, we have to watch Mickey Mouse. So we had to get a Mickey and Minnie cake for Libby's party.
Libby got a lot of great gifts that are already being used. We actually had to do a little cleaning out of the toy box to make room for the new ones.
In other news, Denise and I were able to get to a Twins game in late July. Target Field is AWESOME. We went with a tour out of Alexandria, which was great as we didn't have to drive or pay for parking. The game went fast, under two hours, and got done just before severe thunderstorms moved in. They would not let our bus leave the parking area until the storm passed.
The view from our seats in the second level down the third base line.
Libby got a lot of great gifts that are already being used. We actually had to do a little cleaning out of the toy box to make room for the new ones.In other news, Denise and I were able to get to a Twins game in late July. Target Field is AWESOME. We went with a tour out of Alexandria, which was great as we didn't have to drive or pay for parking. The game went fast, under two hours, and got done just before severe thunderstorms moved in. They would not let our bus leave the parking area until the storm passed.
The view from our seats in the second level down the third base line.
The other major project that got completed was the swing set. What started out as a two weekend project turned into about six. But once we got it boxed in and the mulch laid, it is great. Libby absolutely loves it and it is a pain to try to get her in the house once we start swinging. We were also able to put her sandbox with it, so all her outside stuff is in one area.
Outside of that, the last few weeks have been somewhat uneventful. We did get rid of the money pit known as the minivan and got a lease deal on a Nissan Murano. Denise loves it and the little bit I have driven it, it is very nice. We lost some seating room (6-7 in the van with up to 5 in the Murano), but with the nickel and diming that was starting to happen with the van, it was time to unload. It is Merlot (fancy name for maroon) in color, not our first choice in color, but we were given a very sweet deal to take one off their lot rather that having them go get one in Glacier Pearl (fancy name for white).
Everything else we have been doing had been revolving around getting ready for Baby Boy. We think we are ready for October 6 to roll around, but I am sure we will think of a thing or two between now and then. Denise is going to take the full 12 weeks she is allowed off while I am going to take about a week of full days off and then work half days for about four weeks. Libby will still go to daycare as we don't want to break her routine too much. We did that when Denise's sister and her family were here from DC, and it took quite a while to get her back into it.
Outside of that, the last few weeks have been somewhat uneventful. We did get rid of the money pit known as the minivan and got a lease deal on a Nissan Murano. Denise loves it and the little bit I have driven it, it is very nice. We lost some seating room (6-7 in the van with up to 5 in the Murano), but with the nickel and diming that was starting to happen with the van, it was time to unload. It is Merlot (fancy name for maroon) in color, not our first choice in color, but we were given a very sweet deal to take one off their lot rather that having them go get one in Glacier Pearl (fancy name for white).Everything else we have been doing had been revolving around getting ready for Baby Boy. We think we are ready for October 6 to roll around, but I am sure we will think of a thing or two between now and then. Denise is going to take the full 12 weeks she is allowed off while I am going to take about a week of full days off and then work half days for about four weeks. Libby will still go to daycare as we don't want to break her routine too much. We did that when Denise's sister and her family were here from DC, and it took quite a while to get her back into it.
That is about all from here. I hope everyone is having a great September and I will definitely update when our family grows, if not before.
Troy, Denise and Libby
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