So, here's the little man we met on his first day in the world we know. Arlo Mack Slakey was born June 16, 2014 at 9:32am. He was 7 lbs. 15 oz. and 21 inches long. I am writing this post now when he is two weeks and two days old!!!
This picture is of Arlo when he was about 5 or 6 months along in the womb.
A lot has happened since Arlo joined the "outside" world. Within just a few days of being here, he went to the doctor to get his bilirubin levels checked, since we were concerned he was jaundiced. The good news was his bilirubin levels were quite fine, but the bad news was the doc wanted to draw some blood from Arlo to see that his red blood cell count was at a safe level since his color could be pretty red at times. It turns out, his RBC count was pretty high meaning his blood was pretty sludgly and thick, and they wanted Arlo back in the next day for another blood draw to keep a close eye on him. When we returned the next day, his RBC count was even higher and the doctor was talking about doing a partial exchange transfusion on Arlo if his RBC count was still higher the next day when he was scheduled to have another blood draw. His blood draw the next day showed the RBC count had dropped significantly - PHEW!
Soon after Arlo's check-ups were over, I (Kareena) started feeling under the weather. I was running a fever and had excessive tenderness in my breast and had only thought it was due to engorgement. I woke up one night with the chills and thought "this can't be good" but figured I would be better by morning. I was wrong. My fever climbed and climbed and I ended up going to the ER to be diagnosed with what I suspected to be mastitis. I was right. I was prescribed antibiotics, a nausea medication since I was feeling quite nauseated and told to take Tylenol to regulate the fever. The worst temperature I had was the next day when I went to my primary care physician for a follow-up on the mastitis. My fever was 103.3 degrees fahrenheit and I was dragging some serious booty. The nurses were alarmed that my fever had hit 103 since I had taken it that morning and it was only 102. My heart rate was 146 bpm and my blood pressure was 142/80. The nurse who took my vitals was telling me "It's no wonder you feel like poop".
Next, the primary care physician recommended I have a blood culture done and that I go immediately to the Salem Hospital imaging department to have an ultrasound done on my breast to make sure there wasn't an abscess. She suspected a possible abscess since I hadn't started feeling better yet on the antibiotics and symptoms still seemed to be worsening. It was at this point that I called my mom and Matt to come and help me. I had Arlo and Kaya all on my own all this time and had absolutely no energy to care for either of them. Matt took the rest of the day off, and my mom dropped everything she had planned to meet me at the hospital and help take care of Kaya. She brought dinner, too, thank goodness. It had turned out to be a very long day and Matt and I needed all the help we could get. The ultrasound provided much relief - no abscess. I was expected to start feeling better very soon, too, since the antibiotics kick in somewhere within 48 hours after beginning the round.
After that long couple of days, things got better in terms of everybody's health. I finally felt like I was getting better the next morning after the ultrasound. I could move around without feeling like I was going to faint and I could see the light at the end of the tunnel!!!
Now, the hardship is dealing with the emotions that Kaya has since Arlo was born. We were definitely prepared for a transitional period for all of us, but I think Kaya has been the most in shock. She really misses having her way and getting all the attention she asks for. She shows extreme frustration when she needs something at the same time Arlo does and sees that Arlo wins out (because he's eating or sleeping or crying). It has been extremely difficult to meet everyone's needs, especially my own, since Arlo was born. At the very least I can say we're all alive! At least the mastitis has cleared up and we know Arlo doesn't need a blood transfusion! At least, with time, we will get past whatever current hardships we're in and be greeted with fresh ones that challenge us in a different way.
Love to all! I'm sorry to those of you I have not been in touch with frequently. Soon we'll start to normalize and get back in touch with the rest of the world. Peace!
