New Baby Girl

Rebecca was born at 8:00 PM on 20 February 2014.  She is 15.5 inches and weighs 3 lbs 6 oz. (born at 31 weeks and 2 days instead of 40 weeks, about 8 weeks early).  Baby is doing 'phenominal' and is a little 'rockstar' according to the NICU nurses.  She is breathing unassisted and moving well.  A feeding tube was placed today in addition to the nutrient IV already placed yesterday.

Karen was induced due to a fever in conjunction with worries about her overall health since she was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer last week. We had been hoping to get to Feb 25 to give Becca some more time.  With the fever and because Becca had already been given the steroid treatments for her lungs, not to mention the doctors being confident of a minimal difference between then and a 32 week delivery, we decided not to chance it.

This will actually get Karen into chemo a few days earlier.  While that may not be a big difference, we will take any advantages we can right now.  The oncologist expects to begin chemo either Monday or Wednesday of next week. They are working on improving her nutrition and protein (albumin) levels via IV and a feeding tube.  She is actually getting a blood transfusion as I type this.

At this point the oncologist has said the average life expectancy is 2 years since it has spread to the liver (CT scan soon to determine if it's in the lungs as well or not).  We are hopeful that estimate can be beaten since most people with colon cancer are older with other problems.  Besides, Karen is fiesty.  That's where Rebecca gets her strength.

Keeping it positive since despair is downright depressing.

Braden