In Which I Regulate.

by Alexa on January 30, 2008

I am too tired and giddy to write much, but let me tell you just a little about my day:

This morning I spiked a fever and started contracting every 2-4 minutes. It was determined that I had an infection, and would have to deliver. I was given a very kind sponge bath. The doctor, who commutes here to the Twin Cities from LAGUNA BEACH CALIFORNIA (yes, really) and looks like a Grey’s Anatomy character, all tanned muscular arms and gleamy teeth (McGleamy?), came in to discuss what seemed to be a fast-approaching C-section. Then Simone had a horrible, prolonged decel, they put me on Oxygen, and my room filled with people. Simone’s heart stabilized and ultrasound revealed that she had turned head down. It was decided it would be better for me give birth vaginally, though I was still not allowed food or water, just in case. What was certain was that I would give birth, and soon. Depending upon my temperature and contractions, they might decide to do something to “promote delivery,” which sounds harmless, like a leaflet campaign, but I assure you is not. My bed and belongings were wheeled to labor and delivery, Simone remained on constant monitoring, I contracted, they took my temperature every hour and told me I would not be allowed an epidural because of infection, families were called, survival rates were sobbed over, and then, tonight…

My temperature went back down. My contractions slowed. Simone remained stable. My latest white blood cell count came back normal. And the doctor walked in an hour ago and told me Gleamily that I had developed a bacteremia, but that my body had cleared it.
My immune system smacked that bitch down. And so Simone gets to stay in for another day.

“We are in a data-free zone,” they tell me. I could get another week, or more, or I could deliver tomorrow. They are keeping me here in Labor and Delivery overnight, but if I am stable in the morning I will move back to the antepartum unit to resume my grateful waiting.
I couldn’t make this shit up.

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{ 137 comments… read them below or add one }

leenie January 31, 2008 at 2:25 am

holy holy balls. smack that shit down, with all of our collective thoughts/force behind you. woo!

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Kath January 31, 2008 at 3:10 am

Wow, Alexa. What a relief! So glad your immune system handled that crisis so well. Here’s hoping for a long, long stay in the antepartum unit.

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Meg January 31, 2008 at 4:25 am

Wow, Alexa. I am so glad to her about your wonder immune system, it’s amazing. Hoping hard for you and your daughter.

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Megs January 31, 2008 at 5:17 am

Still thinking of you around the clock. Go immune system of steel!!

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OrchidLover January 31, 2008 at 6:17 am

Keep smacking this shit down… no, you couldn’t make it up. This was not the boring update I was hoping for, but thanks for keeping the cyberworld posted. We’re all hoping the bestbestbest for you!

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Jessie January 31, 2008 at 6:24 am

I’m thinking that you’ve set an official record for all the roller coaster riding you’re doing! I’m so glad you were able to stop that infection in its tracks. Still keeping you, Simone, and Scott in my thoughts, of course.

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meghan January 31, 2008 at 6:42 am

You do have a kick ass immune system! Keep it up! I like to think Ames was watching over his mom and sis…keeping you all together for a (loonnnggg) while longer

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bellevelma January 31, 2008 at 6:49 am

Well that is good news! And I’m still praying. Wishing you all the best.

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Tash January 31, 2008 at 6:57 am

Eh, what’s a little infection? I simply flick it away. You rock. Now if you could just roundhouse kick your to an internet connection. Chuck Norris has nothing on you. Hang tight, Simone.

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Shelli January 31, 2008 at 7:24 am

Keep ‘goin Alexa. I’m glad you beat that infection into submission. Thinking of you, and sending positive thoughts your way.

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Erin January 31, 2008 at 7:26 am

That’s great news! I think Simone must have smacked your immune system upside its…uh, spleen…and said “Get working! I need to stay in here longer!” Way to go little girl!

I am very happy to hear that she’s still in there and not out here yet.

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Katherine January 31, 2008 at 7:30 am

You don’t know me from a hole in the wall, but I’m thinking and praying for you and your little girl. Keep fighting, keep strong.
Katherine

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Flicka January 31, 2008 at 7:37 am

Woohooo!! Damn straight you smacked that bitch down! And right after that horribly profane sentence I will say that me and my ladies spent a considerable amoutn of time at church praying for you and Simone yesterday morning and I am SO GLAD a miracle was delivered on your behalf. We are still praying and will keep on. Hang in there, both of you. You are incredible!

xoxo

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mgs January 31, 2008 at 7:50 am

I’m generally not one for prayer, but I am here, girl. Continued happy situational up-turns.

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Molly January 31, 2008 at 7:58 am

Badass, lady. Keep it up. Glad to hear you are all still doing well (enough.) I still just cannot believe that you have to go through all of this. You’re absolutely right, you couldn’t possibly make this shit up.

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thalia January 31, 2008 at 8:05 am

alexa how utterly terrifying.
Alexa/Scott if you’re reading this, do read the email that Kay sent you, it has lots of suggestions for keeping the baby in there as long as possible -eg get the docs to use prophylactic antibiotics, drink lots to keep risk of infection low, potentially use antibacterial wipes when you go to the loo etc. Very much hoping Simone can keep cooking for a while more.

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Sarah R January 31, 2008 at 8:10 am

WOW. You are very brave. I hope Simone stays put for a while longer and gets strong and healthy before she makes her grand debut.

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Jendeis January 31, 2008 at 8:24 am

Come on Simone! Ladies are fashionably late, so please finish your makeup inside. Thank you!

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Jennifer January 31, 2008 at 8:28 am

Nice job immune system! Keep up the asswhooping! It’s too damn cold to be born this week, little Simone.

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Bonnie C January 31, 2008 at 8:30 am

Yea, as Jeanette said, noone could make this stuff up!! So glad yesterday is done and Simone is still all warm inside.

Also, I love Dr. McGleamy-he was our L&D doc. Love the description-you nailed it!!

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gbich January 31, 2008 at 8:32 am

Keep up those smackdowns, Alexa. Nicely done!

And I LOVE the soap opera-esque McGleamy getting in on the action now, too.

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mrs spock January 31, 2008 at 8:36 am

Touchdown for immune system!

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Ann January 31, 2008 at 8:48 am

Oh, Alexa. I’m crying for you right now. You are going through more than a human should have to go through. Oh, how I want Simone to hang on for as long as she can. Hang in there, hon.

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Mel January 31, 2008 at 8:48 am

Thanks God, only you could do that.

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Hilary (The Trying Game) January 31, 2008 at 8:50 am

Thank goodness for small miracles!

Thinking of you, Alexa.

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electriclady January 31, 2008 at 8:56 am

You motherfucking badass you. Damn. Keep thinking bedsores.

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Christina January 31, 2008 at 9:00 am

Wow! I was absolutely holding my breath while reading this and I cannot believe the big ending! If you are making this up, I don’t care anymore. As long as it has a happy ending. (Just kidding. A little).
Keep up the incredible work. Apparently, all that bed rest is making for an immune system to battle Godzilla. I’m gonna go take a nap now.

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brid January 31, 2008 at 9:05 am

Oh my stars and garters! (read: fuck!) Amazing!

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Clover January 31, 2008 at 9:06 am

That’s incredible! “I can’t make this shit up”- how do you stay so funny during such a stressful time? I know you said its your coping mechanism, but you are just amazing…

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STACEYB January 31, 2008 at 9:37 am

So happy to see an update from you! Hearing that your body is an awesome piece of work—and little Simone is a real fighter! Wow!!! Jeanette is right, you cannot make up something like this!

Keep it up ladies!!!! You make a fantastic team! GIRL POWER!

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elise January 31, 2008 at 9:45 am

Simone is gonna be the coolest little person. Think of the stories she’s already got under her belt!

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andrea_jennine January 31, 2008 at 9:54 am

Bravo, immune system! Praying for another day, and then another, and then another, and as many as you and Simone need.

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elizabeth January 31, 2008 at 9:58 am

Alexa, your immune system kicks ass! May it give you much time in the date free zone.

Hang in there, Simone!

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elizabeth January 31, 2008 at 9:58 am

Ummm….I meant data free zone. Not date, DATA. Although it may be best if you aren’t out dating, right now, either.

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Barbara January 31, 2008 at 10:08 am

I swear I come here with my hands over my eyes, terrified of what latest hell at you the world has wrought. And today I was reduced to saying out loud, “What The Fuck?!” You are doing all the right things, even when it seems you’re doing nothing at all. Microscopically, you’re kicking ass!

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Ginger January 31, 2008 at 11:10 am

Holy crap, that is all I can say. You girls rock!

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fisher queen January 31, 2008 at 11:31 am

OK, excuse the language, but way to bitch slap that motherfucker. You are the boss dammit. Stay put Simone. You’re one tough cookie.

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Nic January 31, 2008 at 11:37 am

You are simply amazing Alexa. That you can still be so funny (McGleamy!) through everything is fantastic. I’m so glad that your immune system kicked bacterial butt and Simone gets to stay put for another day. Or hopefully quite a bit longer!!!

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Accidental Poet January 31, 2008 at 11:44 am

fwiw – I pray for you and simone daily, many times a day.

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Becky January 31, 2008 at 12:03 pm

You did it! You did it! You did it! Yay!

NOW STAY PUT SIMONE. STAY THERE.

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tryingin2007 January 31, 2008 at 12:26 pm

I cried when I read this post.
I’m sorry you have to go through all of this. so sorry.

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Heather January 31, 2008 at 12:43 pm

YAY!!

I’m so glad for some good news!

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Nicole January 31, 2008 at 1:14 pm

No, you can’t make this stuff up. I am so glad your body did the right thing and kicked the infection.

Simone, stay inside for as long as you can. You need time to grow and be healthy.

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Farah January 31, 2008 at 1:20 pm

Take That Immune System! Nicely Done – sending you good vibes!

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DaisyCake January 31, 2008 at 1:24 pm

GO Alexa’s immune system! Way to kick in and kick ass!
GO Simone! GO GO GO!

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jemyr January 31, 2008 at 1:44 pm

You kick ass!
Also, brand spanking new study out about halving the cerebal palsy risk in preemie births (Intravaneous solution of epsom salt to the mom during delivery, basically):
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/31/AR2008013101672.html

Tell your doctor!! :)

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Kristin January 31, 2008 at 1:51 pm

Oh honey, you are a rock star! I’m so glad you’re getting this all down for Simone to read some day.

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Allie January 31, 2008 at 2:55 pm

Whoo, tits! Way to go, Alexa’s immune system.

Still pulling hard for you and Simone over here. Take care!

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jv January 31, 2008 at 3:00 pm

I’m just speechless. Thinking about you. Hang in there, what can I say. This is unbelievable. I hope and pray you and Simone can hang in there one more day, one day at a time.

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Christiana January 31, 2008 at 3:25 pm

Let it never be said that your life is boring. Sounds like your daughter is going to be a drama queen. I am so glad things slowed and you have more time, even if that amount is unknown. GL and God Bless

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