Where do I begin?

Talon Hunter was born on Thursday, June 15, 2006 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jackson, Miss.  He weighed in at an astonishing 6 pounds and 10 ounces with a measured length of 19 inches.  He was taken by C-section at 9:09 p.m by Dr. Gray.

After my appt. with Dr. Perry earlier that morning, it was determined that the risk to continue the pregnancy was too great. He diagnosed me with having preeclampsia and PIH at the same time.  I was sent immediately to Labor and Delivery to prep me for the evening operation.  My in-laws traveled from Jonesboro right away and were in before I was taken into surgery.  Talon was not in distress at any time and in fact was doing better than I.  I had said earlier that I thought he would be okay until over the weekend. Yet, talking with Dr. Perry the next morning, I am glad they operated on me when they did.

On with the operation, I was delayed over the course of three hours due to an emergency in the operating room.  When I was brought back to the operating room, I was already panicking. The anthestologist (sp?) tried to place a spinal in me five different times but because of the swelling was unable to get a good line. When Gary walked in for the delivery, I was under local medication and sleeping. I never got to see the look on his face when Talon was officially born.  Although I can imagine the look.

During the surgery, it was also found that the placenta was beginning to detach from the uterine wall. Drs. were unable to tell me why this began but I am happy they took Talon when they did.  I do feel much better about the whole thing now because if they had waited any longer.. Talon or myself may not be here!

Over the course of the next day, I was in and out. I slept most of Friday morning and half the afternoon.  Visitors who came and saw us were my parents and Gary's parents who ended up taking my oldest son home with them.

Since Talon was born at 34 weeks and 6 days, just shy of the 35 week mark.... he was taking to the NICU.  There he was placed on oxygen to help him breathe and given antibiotics to help with a lung infection.  Talon is now resting comfortably OUT of the NICU and is in the Family Participation Unit.  He was taken off the oxygen yesterday and placed on Naprisol (sp?)  He should remain here a couple of days and may come home as early as Tuesday.... that is our hope!  He is such a sweet baby and hardly cries at all!

AS of tomorrow, I will be discharged from the hospital. However, Dr. Neff has already made arrangements for me to room in with Talon starting tomorrow.  It is unclear how long this will go on for since everything depends on when Talon will come home!  I hope sooner rather than later.  Talon is no doubt a gem in my eye as is David!  I am still experiencing swelling in my legs but walking as become a much easier task! I am happy to have my son with me.....

David is back in Jonesboro as I have said.  He calls me everyday to check on me and his baby brother. He hopes sooner rather than later he gets to come home.  He wants to spend time with Talon as well. When I told him I got to hold Talon, he said no fair and asked if he would ever get to hold him!  HEHE ... such a sweet child.. but ofcourse my dear big son.  When David gets back from his Jonesboro trip, he is supposedly heading with my folks to the Gulf Coast.  I dont know for sure if David will do this but I think he will even if its for a couple of days.  who knows with that kid.?????

What else can I say?  Gary is going back to work Tuesday although he wishes he could room in with me and Talon. I think he feels neglected in some way. Although Talon is his son, Talon seems to immediately latch to me and want to hold my hand rather than his father's.  Nothing against Gary I am sure because I am the one milking away over here. Its a natural response. Besides I try to spend at least 10 hours with him a day... I barely get any sleep and what sleep I get, geeze.. I rest only 30 mins at a time.  When he was in the NICU, I spent atleast 2 hours at  a time with him, including feedings and changings.  Talon is taking well to the bottle.. yet struggling with breastfeeding. Though I think some of that as to do with me in a way.  Also he has to work it out instead of just sucking it out slightly.  Its an amazing feeling though when he tries. I am so happy that he even wants me.  Really seriously thats how I feel.  Its no wonder I feel so drained all the time. Just thinking about him makes me milk.. LOL.

Well, here in about half an hour I am heading to the FPU.  I am gonna feed him a big bottle of breastmilk which he seems to enjoy immensely. We have to wash our hands for 3 minutes at a time which to be honest, can seem like an eternity.  But its well worth it. I certainly hope Talon will be over the Naprisol (sp?) soon and will be able to come home sometime this week. I think it'll happen. He has been, well.. lets just say it... do remarkably well even to Dr. Owens' standpoint.  When he took the pacifer Sat. night, I knew then.. that my son was making strides in his recovery.  I LOVE YOU MY SWEET TALON!!!!!

DADDY AND I BOTH LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!