To answer a few questions...

Now for a totally different aspect and some different emotions...
First of all, let me say that I am so grateful for DJ's posts and the way he explains what we are facing and how we are dealing with it. I am clinically minded and tend to be a little bit more emotional so my posts will be different and not as long or as informational. I'll answer some questions I've been asked and explain how "Mama's" doing.

As most of you know, in November 2013, we suddenly lost my step mother of 30 years.  She was cooking dinner, collapsed in the kitchen and died of a heart attack.  Twenty two days later, my grandfather died. 7 weeks later, my uncle died of Cancer that had just been diagnosed 6 weeks earlier.  When we found out we were having a baby, I immediately thought, this is our families rainbow after all the storms and grief.  Then we learned about Dade's condition. I remember texting my Dad and saying that "I thought Dade would be our hope and sunshine after the storm."  My Dads response was perfect! He said "He still can be!"  I have days or moments of doubt, but overall we are very optimistic and get so excited about our days to come with Dade.  I am finally showing and have a "baby bump."  Its feels more and more real everyday.  I smile and "show him off" proudly, but I'll be honest.  Its hard when my patients ask "Hows the baby?" Its not for them to worry and get concerned about, so I have to smile, knod my head, and say "he's great."  Now, to address your questions and concerns.

SHOWERS:
Several friends/family members have asked about hosting showers for us or when they will be.  Our support system is unbelievable and we are SO grateful you'd even offer! We did have two showers planned for June and July, but after this last appointment and learning what we have, DJ and I agreed that maybe we needed to wait on those.  The practical side of me knows that we have NO clue what size he will wear or what his needs will be physically/mentally so we don't want you to buy things that we aren't able to use.  He already has many clothes that we have bought and his grandmothers and aunts have been excited to buy for him.  When we have a green light that we are headed home, we plan to have a huge celebration/shower and can register at that time for what we will need.  I hope that makes sense.
The other side of me is sad that we don't need to do showers right now.  Every new mother gets excited about a celebration for her new child and has dreamed about sharing that time with family and friends.  The "normal" picture of pregnancy, showers, delivery, and hopping in the car seat to go home two days later has been greatly transformed for us.  To just be completely honest, its heartbreaking.  The excitement that began with the pregnancy and finding out such amazing news, has gone to "Do we even decorate his room?" The normal wonders of "What will he look like?" or "What sport will be love?" have gone to "Will he be able to play any sports?" "Will he be able to feed himself?"
We are decorating his room, but many other long term things, we just have to put on hold.  DJ's mother is making Dade's bedding and has been precious about waiting until I was ready to move forward with this. My Mom and I will soon clean out his drawers and closet to get everything ready to decorate! Its been fun picking out fabrics and colors to make his room unique.  I want to pass his room and smile, awaiting his arrival in his crib one day.  I want to sit in there and pray. I want to sit in there and cry on the days that I just worry or get sad.

HOW ARE YOU FEELING?
I can say that other than the week with Meningitis, this pregnancy has been wonderful! I may not feel that way when its 95 degrees in July and Im waddling, but so far, I can't complain.  I have had some sickness, but am now on a new medication that has been a lifesaver! His condition has no effect on my body or pregnancy.  I am feeling him move a good bit and its the best feeling in the world. I laugh and cry when he moves a lot. I often times put DJ's hand on my stomach wherever he is moving so we can feel him together. Its unbelievable!

HOW LONG DO DOCTORS WANT YOU TO GO BEFORE DELIVERY AND DO THEY SUGGEST A C-SECTION? For his lungs to develop to their fullest ability, the doctors want me to go to my due date, August 12, if possible.  Unless there is any distress for him or myself, I will go full term and all the doctors have strongly recommended that I have him naturally(with meds of course).  This would allow any excess fluid from his lungs to be pushed out as he is delivered through the birth canal.  They have also said that the recovery time for me will be quicker with a natural birth because they know how eager I will be to get across the breezeway to Children s hospital to be with Dade and DJ.  The thought of it all is so scary, but I can't explain how grateful I am to be informed now and to be prepared as to what this journey may look like. When I'm prepared, I can focus and handle things much easier. We have been given very upfront and honest details about how this can go, but we are determined and ready for the fight.  As DJ said, we are stubborn and we know that he will have the determination that we both have to get through however long this road may be.  Our boxing gloves are on!

WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP Y'ALL?
I can say without any hesitation that prayers and "snail mail" put a big smile on my face.  Other than an encouraging word, a "praying for you, DJ and Dade," and a hug, I can't think of anything that we need right now.  Hugs do make me cry so just be prepared.  My boss hugged me the other day and that opened the flood gates.  We have gotten several cards that brighten our day and he even got some precious Easter gifts that were too sweet.  Last week I got a Facebook message from a complete stranger.  She told me that she was praying for us and had heard our story when she was getting her hair done the other day.  I get cards from a church we aren't even members of that is signed by their prayer team members telling us that we were prayed for that day.  As DJ has said, we have NO clue what God is showing us in this, but we know its something BIG.  There are people all over praying for us and letting us know that they are here for us.  When we need something, I promise we will let you know personally or in the blog.  Right now, we are still going along as normal until we have a reason not to.  Our employers have been more than supportive, loving, and understanding.  Neither one of us could work for or with a more amazing team.  It has been very helpful to be with friends and family when we can or on the weekends.  Any of you are welcome to visit us or we can come see you sometime when DJ gets out of school.  We need that!