13 May

Work told me to go in.... but later in the day Trystian has his appointment with the Peds here at Yokota. He weighs 10 lb 4 oz and is 22 and 3/4 inches. :)

We were told that the EFMP paperwork needs to be turned in and that for sure we will most likely be gone to a diff base in 3-6 months. :(... Oh well, we will deal with it right??

11/12 May

We get on the Medevac flight. It's a KC 135 and we have real seats now. :) Still a long flight 9 hours to get to Kadena. At Kadena we are told that our connecting flight is broken and they are trying to fix it. We are told that we will be staying the night, so the crew that was toting us and taking care of us now takes us to billiting where we have a funny story! :) a funny story!!!

We get to Billiting and the Capt lady who is transporting us around asks for a room for 3. 2 adults and a 7 week old. The guy at the counter says "let me see what we have"... "ok, I have a room for you." My question then is "Do you have a crib in the room?" The guys answer is "of course". He goes and prints out the disclaimer paper and hands it to me for my signature. He says, "this is to say that you will not smoke and have no pets and no kids..." Both the Capt and I say at the same time "no kids?????" The guy says "yah no kids, this room doesnt allow kids." We say "Well we just asked for a crib, and we said we have a 7 week old, does he not count as a kid?"... the guy sais that kids are from birth to 18 years of age and no kids allowed in the room. We then ask again, "we have a 7 week old, we have a child. Do you have a room that allows kids and has a crib?" He then says "oh, you meant like a crib for the baby... I thought you meant a crib like a place to crash." I was like wow!!!!!!!! . He looked agian and found the last room that allows kids and gave it to us.

After this nonsense of a guy, we were on our way to the room, the Capt got a phone call and was told that we now are going on the flight possibly in 2 hours. At an hour later we are told that it's leaving soon and we are to head out there. They transport us out there and we get to the plane and now we have jumpseats... fun... they strap the carseat in and get us in. We make our way to Yokota. Home at last... NOT... when we land in Yokota we are told that we need to wait for the medical personnel to come pick us up. We waited 3 hours on the flightline in the plane waiting for these supposed med personnel. Someone finally shows up and we then are transported to the ER where we had to be seen by a doc to release us!!! So the time we actually touched our front door to our house... 1am!!!

10 May

Told that we are getting on the Medevac flight on the 11th and that we need to be ready at like 0530. So we pack up and clean our room.

9 May

Still waiting to hear what to do to go home.

8 May

We are told that they are working a Med evac flight for us. Also we are told that the AMC term has been apprised of our situation and that we can fly back to Yokota from their terminal. We are then advised that we are to only worry about the Med evac flight they are working for us.

7 May

We had Trystian's outpatient appointment and the doc said he could go home! YAY!!! He weighs 9 lbs and 13 oz. and is 22 1/2 inches.

We started trying to get home. We talked to the AF liasion and were told to first check with the AMC terminal.

We called the AMC terminal and to make a long story short, we were told that no one was flying out of the terminal without a passport, 6 week old baby or not!... They also mentioned that they arent sure how we even got there without a passport... So we were stuck in Hawaii now. the AF liasion said she would work it.

4 May

They said we were being released shortly and someone came in and took out the IV!!! The blood work showed what they saw when they got it the first time. We were given paperwork and told when our outpatient appointment was going to be and then we got to out hotel that we got in the beginning of the week that I never got to see much of. We had a good night sleep!!

3 May

So they took the cat out and said they will take they will take the IV out when they get blood before we go outpatient. They even had trouble taking the blood from the IV later in the night when we begged them to because it seemed to hurt Trystian to move that leg and foot now. They got the blood but refused to take the IV out still. Another night of vitals. Paperwork was being done for us to leave.

2 May

We were happy to hear that the results were in. We were told that there was no UPJ and that the reflux was just there, no other reason. Trystian has to be on antibiotics daily to be sure he doenst get a UTI or other infection. Also he will need to be seen biannually by a Ped Urologist and Nephrologist-kidney doc. He will need constant watch on his kidneys with an ultrasound every 3 months and a VCUG yearly. This beeing said, we have to be enrolled in the EFMP program. This also means unfortunatley we wont be staying at Yokota more than likely.

1 May

Mag 3 Scan day. Early monring Trystian was taken to see the anestesiologist to get an IV. He gave us the option to sedate Trystian now or to let them try once. If they couldnt get the IV done after the first try then they were going to have to sedate him anyways. We were told to leave the room so that they could do the sedation, IV and catheter in place again. After it was done Trystian was in the recovery room being monitored and when he woke up it was horrible!!!!!! he woke up and was screaming!!! there was absolutly nothing I could do to calm him down. He was kicking and screaming and just all around mad!! his cry sounded like he was in pain. I so wanted not to be there in a way. It was so painful to watch and listen. He quieted down 2 hours later when he cried himself to sleep. The Mag 3 scan was started. an hour and half later after it was done, we headed back up to the Ped ward and they stopped his IV but didnt take it out. They also kept the cat in. It's so hard seeing your baby hooked up and taped up! It's also hard cuz you really dont know how to hold them to comfort them, and what to do... We had another night of vitals every 2 hours!

30 April

They let us rest a bit today for they need one more day of rest before they want to do the Mag 3 scan. Oh and did I mention that the Cat came out like 4 hours after they put it in. I knew it wouldnt stay in...

29 April

The ultrasound was today. I let the Peds and urologists take him and do it without me. I've been up every 2 hours with him and really got NO sleep, so for Trystians sake I let him go with the docs so that I could get some sleep so that I could take care of him better. Again the docs in every 2 hours after he came back from the ultrasound tho.

28 April

Today they let us rest a little bit. The Ped urologist came in and talked to us on what she thought. She said that the VCUG at Yokota showed them that there were not valves!! so no surgery on that!!! She did say that there might be a UPJ or blockage somewhere that could require surgery. She explained the Reflux that he has and the Hydronephrosis. He has grade 5 reflux in the right kidney and grade 4 reflux in the left kidney. Reflux is just that when he pees it doenst all go out the pee pee hole, some of it travels back up to the kidney. His reflux is extreme and there is surgery to fix it, but she said that it can usually go away on it's own in years. In the meantime tho, they were going to do an ultrasound and a Mag 3 scan to see the functionality of the kidneys.

27 April

We packed and packed and headed in at 1300. We got orders and were escorted to the pax terminal where we sat and waited to get on the plane. It's a C-17 so it was going to be a very long trip!!! very uncomfy!!! not to mention flying with a baby.

We got to Hawaii earlier in the day of the 27th then we had left. Gotta love time changes. We did as we were instructed... we got our billiting and then grabbed a taxi to the Tripler Hospital. We got to the ER and signed in. There was a full waiting room. We took our seats, and as soon as we took our seats we were called back into the room. Everyone gave us the dirtiest looks!!! We got back and weighed and looked at. We explained that we were to be seen by the Ped Urologist and the ER staff seemed not to know what to do. They left and did some searching and came back to escort us to the Ped Ward where we were to be admitted. We met the doc of the ward and were told they wanted bloodwork done. I went with Trystian into the room they do the bloodwork and they stuck him 3 times. No veins gave blood. We went back to our room so that they could find someone else to try. We were back and forth all day for 15 hours getting pricked to get blood. He was black and blue from head to toe!! They finally got his blood tho. Tony and I were told that only 1 parent can stay in the room during the night and that one of us had to go back to the hotel. They also gave Trystian a catheder that night. We tried to get some sleep but the docs were in every 2 hours getting vitals.

26 April

We were woken up by the phone on this Sat. It was our Ped. His first words were "What are you doing for the next couple of days and the next few weeks?" He said that the VCUG showed that there were possible Posterial Urethral Valves and that it required surgery. He needed to get us to Hawaii to Tripler Army Medical Center. He asked about commercial travel and said that we might be going out that way. I asked the concern that Trystian doesnt have his passport and birth certificate back yet. So that put a damper. We were told to be at the hospital that they wanted to cat Trystian to relieve the bladder and put less stress on the kidneys. We asked the questions of why and mentioned the trouble they had at the VCUG. None the less we were allowed to go home and pack without the cat with the stipulation that as soon as we knew for sure that we would be getting on a plane and when, then we would cat him. We went home and started scrambling! We got a call asking us to be at the MPE in 20 mins to get Trystian an ID card to cover the military and get him some type of identification for him. We then as soon as we walked in the door to home after that, got a phone call saying they were getting us out on the MAC flight to Hawaii tomorrow and that we needed to be at the hospital to put the cat in. We headed in and the DR tried to put the cat in. It failed!! So the doc ordered blood tests to see what the kidneys were functioning. We were told that we needed to be at the hospital at 1300 the next day to get orders and such.

22 April

Trystian had his VCUG today. Ugh bad experience!!! We went in and Trystian was to be undressed fully and placed to get an xray. I got in my gown thing they gave me to protect me from the radiation. They took his pic, then the tech came in to put the catheter in... This one seemed too big. It didnt want to go in. Poor Trystian is screaming at this point already. The tech pushes and pushes and finally gives up and asks if they have a smaller one. Pulls the cat out and there's a lil blood. not much but so she waits a min and preps again for the new catheter. She tries this one, and gets it further but it kinks. She tries another one of the larger size again and it doesnt go in again. They look for another cat of the smaller size and get one. They try again, and this time they get it all the way in where it needs to be and Trystian pees all around it and not through it at all, they have to take it out. They get another doc in and try the small one again and get it in and hold the penis around the cat and another doc holding the cat in, and we are ready for the dye to be inserted. I am at Trystians head holding him down so that he's not moving so much. They insert and take pics... and wait and wait and wait for his bladder to empty. He holds his bladder quite a while to pee. But so they take the cat out finally and at this point poor lil man has cried himself out. I get him dressed and in the carrier. We went to the Peds office to maybe get some Tylonal for him because he has to be in pain with as many cats as he just had. It was a fussy day after that!

15 April

Trystian had his ultrasound today and it shows his right kidney still enlarged, on with the VCUG.

12 April

So My mom and nicole are going home now. Tony's mom left already. I have been trying to let Trystian nurse more than I pump but still pumping and only getting maybe 20 ML the whole day from both boobs if I'm lucky. The problem is that whenever Trystian is hungry I get ready to nurse him and already find my mom with a bottle in his mouth so I end up pumping. I miss the closeness and good feeling of having Trystian nurse. It seems everytime I turn around Trystian is getting a bottle in his mouth all week... Not what I wanted at all!

We used the rest of the newborn diapers that people got us for the babyshower and are now greatfully using our cloth diapers!! Trystian started really peeing out of the disposables anyways... We were changing his outfit everysingle time he peed and we changed his diaper. I mean I know you have a lot of clothes for 0-3 months anyways but really... lol. So he's still fitting in his preemie clothes that we bought him. Mom bought just born clothes that fit real nice too. the 0-3 month stuff is still real big and he swims.

To calm Trystian down, he loves to be held upright and bounced! Loves to be up and down and not cradled all the time!

7 April

Trystian had his 2 week apt. He weighs 8 lbs and 3 oz. Has not grown any length, but his head grew a bit!!

3 April

My mom and sister arrived today. The past week, I have been pumping and letting Trystian nurse whenever we can. We have had appointments all over the place. Trying to get all his paperwork for passports, birth certificates, getting enrolled in the Insurance and all kinds of stuff. It was quite busy of a day. We went out to the mall today, and when we got home and I was cleaning, my mom and sis arrived. My hubby had his friends over playing Rockband. (I gave him permission). Mom and Nicole were all over Trystian.

28 March

So We went in the docs today for the removal of my staples and to get Trystian's weight checked. We met the pediatrician upstairs and so he took care of looking him over and told us what the plan was for his hydronephrosis that we saw in the prenatal ultrasound. We are going to get our 2 week checkup and then get an ultrasound of his kidneys and then after that, we are going to get a VCUG if the hydronephrosis hasnt gone away. Possiblity of going to Yokuska to see the urologist at the point. Trystian was not that yellow, but the Ped said to keep an eye on it. I got my staples out and felt much better!!! We went home, and relaxed and cleaned the house. I felt much better!!! Nursing still every time he wants, but after he gets fussy after about 15 or so mins, we end up giving formula. Pumping again every few hours. I made a total of like 10 ML today. That's both boobs milk combined!

27 March

Well Tony's mom get's here tonight. Tony left this morning to go to Narita to pick her up. They will be back tonight. Lexi came over at 1200 to hang out with me and take the dogs out cuz I cant quite go up and down the stairs that much and fast yet. We hung out and talked all day. It was nice. We were going to go for a walk but it got yucky outside so we decided against it. Trystian is looking much better. Not so yellow!!!! :) At like 7ish, Tony and his mom walked in the door. She immediately took Trystian from me and loved on him. We went out to Chinese dinner. :) makes me happy!!! As far as nursing and pumping. I let Trystian nurse a few times and did not pump to help with some of the sorness. We supplemented with formula all day.

26 March

The lactation consultant came over today to help me out. She watched Trystian latch on and heard a swallow and then nothing... just him sucking. She asked me the questions, how long do you nurse, how much and so on. She had me get the pump out and pump for her. We got only a few drops... and it was MILK... only a few drops of milk. She suggested supplementing Trystian with the formula and then pumping every 2-3 hours for at least 20 mins. She said drink lots and still have Trystian try nursing every few hours too! So I spent the rest of the day pumping every 2 hours. Man are my nipple sore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

25 March

I'm released from the hospital and so is my lil man!! This morning I ended up taking a percocet and sleeping for 4 hours while I let the nurses take Trystian to watch. I think they fed him a bottle because the cart they said all the stuff in it is for us, well one of the formulas is gone. I'm glad they let us go home. They were thinking of keeping Trystian to watch his billirubin, and his weight. We went home and I'm still nursing every hour on the hour! I stay in the bed and only get up when I have to pee. I have a changing station next to the bed that I just take Trystian out the bassinet and change him in front of me on the bed. My milk still isnt in. I might get the pump out soon and try to pump maybe. The dogs are ok, have to do some retraining due to the people who watched them just let them jump up and do what they want. This night we were nursing and I noticed that Trystian was very yellow! The color of the yellow in his blanket yellow!! He didnt want to settle down when the light was off, but when it was on, he was much more pleasant, still fussy tho. We didnt know what to do. We checked his temp and it showed 99... So we decided to go to the UCC and have the docs look at him. We made our way to the UCC and the docs came and did the heal prick and took blood. They looked him over and confirmed his yellownis, and taught us how to do a rectal temp cuz the OB ward when they released us only taught us how to do the under arm temp. They said that the billirubin is high but not high enough to do anything. They said he should be alright just keep an eye on him.

24 March

Trystian has lost almost 12% of his bodyweight already and I know that my milk isnt in. The Doc said we might have to supplement with formula, or atleast until the milk comes in. He's a bit yellow and the billirubin test shows he is a lil high. I'm doing well. Staples are there, and they wont take them out till Friday. Trystian is keeping his heat and he is peeing out of his diapers! I hate disposables! The hospital wants us to use the disposables while we are in the hospital so that 1. it's more sanitary since there's not a washer and dryer in the room. and 2. because they want to monitor what he is putting out. Trystian is so fussy and we really do nurse every hour on the hour!! He's constantly wanting something to come out of the boob. I get like NO sleep. Oh and to backtrack Tony got to go home and sleep for a few hours. He was getting so enry that I sent him home to sleep for a few hours cuz I couldnt handle him being that way and fussing to me that the little cot in the room for him was NOT comfy.

Birth details

Type of delivery: Cesarean section
Duration of labor: almost non-existant
Weight @ birth: 6 lb 14.1 oz
Length @ birth: 21 1/4 inches

Trystian-Haru`s birthstory

I went in for my 37 week check up and all was well. The doc wanted me to come back for an ultrasound to check fluid levels next week... I went in for the fluid level check and was told that my induction is set and I go in on Tuesday next week. This freaked me out a bit because I didnt want to be induced at all. I wanted a natural birth. Well on Saturday I went to the BX and Commisary and my husband and I were trying to bring on labor by walking a lot!!! Sat night we had just gotten a cinnabon for a snack and I was feeling kinda wet that my pants were wet enough to leave moisture on the seat. I thought maybe my water had broken. We headed home to try to get a hold of the parents of the boy we were watching and no luck. I called the OB ward and told them my leakage of fluid and NO contractions. They said to come in anyways. We went in and because no children are allowed in the delivery rooms or in the ward anyways, Tony had to go sit out in the waiting room with the little boy. I was hooked up to the NST and they did a sample test for the fluid. Turns out not to be my water. They turn on the NST and as we are sitting there I`m watching the `contractions` on screen but dont feel a thing. Every once in a while a cramp will coincide with the contraction on screen, but that`s it. These are little contractions and every time one of them happens, Trystian`s (our baby)`s heart dips down in the 30`s... This was scary! They had me moving all which way to try to ease the situation. No luck, each contraction equals a distressed baby. The doctor came in and told me that my chances of having a natural vaginal birth are slim to none. That the best thing they could do is start me on pitocin and break my water and hope that they dont have to do an emergency C-section which is what it probably would end up being. The other option is to just have a c-section. The doctor suggested c-section but gave me the choice because she knew I really wanted a natural birth.

After all the signing of papers and briefings of what was going to happen, they wheeled me to the OR. In the mean time, my husband Tony had gotten a hold of the parents and they came and picked up their son. Tony got scrubs on and met me in the OR after my spinal had been administered. I felt lots of pressure and some nausea and such... but at 2113 we heard this beautiful scream of Trystian beeing born! Tony got pics and got nauseated himself and then once I was stapeled together to the delivery recovery room. I didnt get to see Trystian because the nurses were running in and out and I kept asking. My friend Lori was there visiting at that point and she went over and took the side off the warmer so that I could see Trystian. I held him about 2 hours after he was born. I tried to nurse but Trystian was more interested in `biteing` my nipples than actually sucking. :) lol. We tried and tried, and once we got a good latch I felt very happy. The nurses kept him in the warmer and I had to call to hold him for a while because they say he wasnt keeping his temperature yet. He was and is the most beautiful baby I have ever seen! I love him to death!!!