My Whole World

My Whole World

Saturday, February 6, 2010

We are having a BABY!

Where do I begin??? Let me start in October when I found out I was expecting, I didn't tell anyone but my brother and sister in law, we made cookies that spelled "Get ready 4 baby #2" and cupcakes with baby booties that my brother thought of, he is so talented ! And a cute sign that was so much fun! Erin was a trooper and made me even more excited because she was so enthusiastic.. it was contagious so we spent a good portion of the day. I WAS SO EXCITED to tell Tom, we were not trying to get pregnant, so it was a shock to me, and I knew he would be really shocked. I set up the cookies on the counter and had Kaden holding the sign, we heard him coming and we stood by the door, he opened the door and his first words were "Are you serious??" and "are you sure?" then he saw the cookies and smiled and kissed and hugged me! He was shocked, but very excited and it was perfect! Thanks Buddy and Erin couldn't have done it with out you... THEN the wave of "morning sickness" came.. but more severe then when I was pregnant with Kaden, I began going to the doctors office and getting on medication but it did not ease anything and soon by week 5 I couldn't hold any food down for a 72 hour period and noticed that I had been spotting bright red blood. I quickly run to the doctors and they hook me up to an IV and they hydrate me with bags of fluid and IV medication, I soon learned that the force of throwing up has torn my cervix, too much info I know... but hey... this is my journal and I might as well remember all this by writing it down right?? Anyways, after 2 weeks of going to the doctor severely dehydrated I was put on home health. I was getting a new IV every 4 days and giving myself medication and fluids twice a day. Then by week 12 I still could not keep anything down, and very dehydrated, I was poked 15 times by 4 nurses and told they could not continue to poke me and dig for veins so they called and had an emergency picc line placed. They feed a tube from your arm to about 2 inches above your heart. This was to be a permanent line until I was to get better and then it would be pulled, I wont lie it hurt SOOO bad the first few weeks because they stitch it in your arm and they have to make a small incision to place the tube, so the skin is so tender under your arm which made it very painful for a little while. Erin and my brother have made us meals, and Erin cleaned my house, she is a sweetheart! My mother and father came down to help me and take care of me, my dad made great food, and my mom stayed for a week to help me get better and it worked, I did better and enjoyed her company and help with the house work (laundry with Erin). After the pain passed I enjoyed the picc line and not getting poked anymore, it was very nice. The home health nurses came once a week now and cleaned and changed the dressing with rubbing alcohol, I hated getting the dressing changed because they would scrub the opening.. ouch! Unfortunately the picc line made it a little longer the a month, and got severely infected and a big blood clot. I was visiting my sister and she took me to the ER and they pulled the line, and my arm got HUGE and had a horrible rash. The blood clot was around the major vein restricting blood flow to my arm but was not an immediate threat. I was put on an antibiotic and sent home. Connie took great care of me, I soon returned home and slowly slipped back into throwing up everything... I went to the doctor and they were not sure what was causing more symptoms that were more severe, I couldn't keep down the antibiotic so they gave me a series of shots in my hips into my joints that were serum of antibiotic to kill the infection, by this point this was the most pain I have been in at one time! I cried... alot! I had to go back to IV's and on home health. The rash spread and continued to get worse, and continued to throw up so much I pulled on the muscles in my chest around my sternum. I started having contractions and was seen in the ER where I work, very embarrassing when you know everyone. I was so dehydrated that it caused my uterus to contract and they quickly hydrated me and did an MRI of my lower back because of the pain, and the possibility of having an infection wrapped around my spine. No infection on my spine, but they found that I have 2 herniated discs in my lower back that will get worse as the baby grows, and the cause of these herniated discs.... throwing up! Yes throwing up violently for a period of time will make you injured in places you never imagined! I was sent home on some pain pills and unanswered concerns that they cannot find the infection, a normal persons white blood count is 10, and pregnant ladt goes up but only no more then 12 or 13 count... mine is 18. And not a clue to why! Scary, but the baby measures a little small, but is doing awesome and has been a trooper through everything. Strong heartbeat and moving all over! I then continued to loose a lot of weight and ended up with no relief. I now am put on a feeding tube to get some nutrient and hydrated. A feeding tube is by far helping more then any other medical intervention so far, it is the most uncomfortable and causes horrible cramping then any other device, but I am doing better and that is already worth it. My condition is called hyperemesis, and it is rare and only effects 1% of pregnant women, and will get worse with every pregnancy no matter the sex of the baby. I took it very hard when the doctors told me that I will not have many more children, if any after this one. We found out we are having a BOY and just feel so blessed to have so much help and support, and that this little boy is still hanging in there and healthy to everyone's knowledge. Tom has been great support, and my ward has been bringing meals for my family (I cannot eat) and my father in law and mother in law have been helping so much with Kaden, taking him whenever I need, and bringing food, and medical supplies for me! I love you all.. Even though I cry and I complain sometimes about why it has to be so hard, it has been a very humbling and VERY selfless experience, my family has grown together, and my love has grown for my family. I have to say this unborn baby and I have bonded going through this together and I cant wait to hold him and kiss him for being so strong, he has held me together more then he will ever know. My family and their prayers have kept me going, and have performed miracles! I am due June 20th, and 20 weeks, it been along 20 weeks but we are hanging in there! I love you all.. and thank you so much!

Kaden excited about having a baby!!!!!
the yummy cookies- thanks Erin!
The yummy cupcakes- thanks buddy! Tom EXCITED and SURPRISED!
He is a proud daddy to be... again!
the start of a long road with IV's... the hand is the worst place!
PICC LINE- very tender area.. and quite the procedure!
Close up of the stitches! YUCK
Can you believe that every week they rip all the dressing off and scrub it. That IV pole became my best friend! My little (growing) family, including the IV pole! :)MY sweet mommy and baby... she is a saint and I miss her dearly! Grandma with 2 of her little angels! I really dont want to add this picture but it is the most recent adventure.. the feeding tube goes from my nose to my small intestine- very awkward!

7 comments:

Ash said...

You poor thing! I want to give you a hug!

Lindsay said...

I had no idea. I mean, I've been following your FB updates, but wow. I'm so sorry. I thought my pregnancies were miserable, but they are a piece of cake in comparison. Hang in there! And yay for 2 boys! We're sure fans of them at our house. :)

Heidi said...

I am so sorry for everything that you have gone thru. It would be so hard esp. since you have Kaden to take care of still... If there is anything we really can do to help, please let us know! can't wait to see baby boy.. any names yet???? Hang in there girl!

Cara said...

Your mom keeps my mom updated all the time. I must say I am awed by your strength and upbeat attitude. I've been nauseated this whole pregnancy but nothing like you've gone through. I think I'm going to stop complaining now!

Camille said...

Dang girl... you were right about your novel! I am sure hoping your body comes out of this soon! Woman you have amazing strenth and I keep praying for you!

Josh and Nikki said...

Wow I'm so sorry you've been going through so much! If you need anything or meals let me know and I'd be glad to bring you guys something! Can't wait to meet your little baby boy!!!

The Gray's said...

Oh my gosh Sherrie. I had no idea. I'm so sorry you are dealing with this. All I can say is, this will be a very special baby boy, for all of the trouble he is putting you through. :) From a nurses point of view, who the hell was taking care of that picc line? And is that the way it looked right after it was placed? None of my patients have ever complained that their picc line hurt for weeks. Sounds like a badly placed picc line. Anyway, I would love to have a play date once YOU are feeling better. So how the the feeding tube? Boy, you are a trooper! Bless you for making this sacrifice! YOU WILL BE BLESSED! :) Let me know when you feel better -k- If you ever need to talk or if you get better, call me 801-837-3180
Good luck to ya!
Nicole