Sara day 2 post-surgery

Sara is now out of surgery. The bleeding has essentially stopped. She is still sedated and on medication to stabilize her blood pressure. She will probably remain sedated through the night. Her medical team is working to get her breathing on her own without assistance. She is in a better, more stable condition than she was 24 hours ago.

Knowing that she appears to be on a road to recovery, I now feel more comfortable sharing a few photos of Graeme post-delivery. Sara has not yet held Graeme, but will when she comes home.

Sara, before school Monday morning.

Graeme, fresh from the oven.

Happy family!

Graeme and Sara.

Sara in surgery

Sara is now in surgery. The purpose of this surgery is to finish the exploratory surgery from yesterday afternoon. Her medical team is looking to confirm that the bleeding has stopped and close  her up from the surgery yesterday.

Sara remains under sedation. With a little help from medication, her blood pressure is stable. She is breathing on her own through a ventilator.

Assuming surgery goes well, she will likely be at the hospital in Des Moines through the weekend. I'll give another update post-surgery.

I have spoken with friends and family about an action plan to help us once Sara and Graeme are home. More details to come.

Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and encouragement.

Sara update day 2

Sara had a good night for someone in her condition. Her blood pressure remained stable with a little help from medication. She remains fully sedated.

She is still scheduled for surgery today. This surgery is really just a continuation of the third surgery yesterday, which was to locate the source of the bleeding and to help stop it. Today's surgery will see if the bleeding has stopped.

I'll post an update after the surgery. Thanks for your thoughts, prayers, and encouragement.

Sara Update 4

Sara may finally be stabilizing. Her blood pressure is normal. Other levels suggest her bleeding has stopped but we won't know for certain until an exploratory surgery late morning.

When Sara's nurse, Nikki, found out Sara is a music teacher, she offered to play one of the music channels for her. Sara is now listening to the Groove, r+b of the '70s.

Thanks for all you continued prayers and words of encouragement.
Sent from a BlackBerry®

Sara Update 3

Sara is still sedated. Doctors are using medications to keep her vital signs stable while they seek to determine the source of the bleeding. It seems she may have turned a corner, but we won't know until tomorrow.

Back in Grinnell, Graeme is doing well.

The outpouring of prayers, thoughts, and offers to assist us is humbling. I'm so grateful we have so many thoughtful, caring people in our lives. Once Sara is stable and conscious, I will have a better sense of what our needs will be.

Keep Sara, Graeme, and their caregivers in your prayers. Hug a nurse and tell them thanks. The efforts of Sara's doctors, nurses, and techs have saved her life. I hope and pray their work in the coming hours helps Sara back onto the road to recovery.

Sara update 2

Sara is now at a hospital in Des Moines. She is sedated. Her blood pressure is stable. Her doctors are working to stabilize her and determine if the bleeding can be treated with surgery or with medicine.

While in Grinnell, she received 12 units of blood and 15 units of clotting agents. Some of the blood was brought to Grinnell by state trooper.

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers.

Graeme and Sara update 1

First, the good news: Sara gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Graeme Seeger, at 8:10 this morning. He was 9 lbs. and 10 oz., 21 inches long. He is eating and sleeping well.

Sara had complications following the delivery by cesarean section. Her medical team was not able to control her bleeding, which led to an emergency hysterectomy. Unfortunately, that surgery did not control the bleeding, either. As I type, she is in a third operation to determine the source of the bleeding. Her doctors and I have agreed to transfer her by helicopter to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines to give her added care.

Sara and I appreciate your thoughts and prayers. I will post on this blog again when there is news to share.