Saturday, April 24, 2010

5 Things I've Learned This Week

1. Just because you reach the end of the first trimester does NOT mean the nausea goes away.
2. My husband and I can consume one whole box of Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni and not bat and eye. (I'm eating for 2.) Obviously #1 is not slowing me down.
3. Pregnancy changes a whole lot of things...namely my food choices. I have always been known to love a soft drink. No tea, sometimes water, usually a soft drink. Not so anymore. I cannot handle a soft drink. It's tea or water. That's it. I also crave random things. Last night it was baked beans. Normally I don't do baked beans. But I decided yesterday and I needed some really bad. One night this week it was pigs in a blanket. Another day it was salad. If you know me well, you know this is odd.
4. B's class reunion is the end of October...10 days before my due date. I'll be extra large by then. But hey, so will lots of people. At least I have an excuse.
5. There's nothing like the love of a first grader who has missed his/her teacher for 12 days. They were the best! They told me they could not touch my tummy but they could hug me from the side. So many of them told me they prayed for us. They were precious.

Wishing you a comfortable Saturday at home listening to the rain...

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

A Good Report

We went back to the doctor today to make sure everything was still ok. The baby seems fine. Heartbeat was at 162. It had it's feet in the air and it's hand behind it's head...relaxing. I also am healing fine. 4 scars and a testimony of God's faithfulness...we are so thankful.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

So Blessed

Bradley and I have talked several times about how God's hand was on us last week. We know God's hand is always on us, but there are times that we're reminded a little. Last week was one of those times. We go back to the doctor tomorrow morning. I'm a little nervous about the ultrasound. I need one of those dopplers at home. ; ) I've tried to talk Bradley into it. He just shakes his head. He gives me that response often. He has been wonderful through all of this. I am so blessed to have him.

The sickness was better for a few days, but has returned. I am 12 weeks pregnant, so I can't decided if I'm "pregnant sick" or sick from the meds I have to take right now. I'm hoping they take me off those tomorrow.

I've been straightening our house today and trying to figure out which dishes go to which person. Everyone has been so good to bring us meals and snacks. I have many thank you notes to finish. Last night I graded 2 weeks worth of papers and got those in the computer. I'm accomplishing way more than I was a week ago. I'm hoping to be back to work on Thursday. That's the plan anyway.

Hope your Tuesday is finding you well. I'll post after our doctor visit tomorrow. Thank you for all your prayers.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

And then there was Monday...

If you read the previous post, you know that we spent most of the weekend in the hospital. Sunday night I ran some fever, and my husband, being the smart man that he is, had read the instructions the doctor gave us and knew we were to call her if I ran any fever. So he called and she told us if we could get the fever down to come back Monday morning to the office. I was under the impression that I might have a UTI and thought I was going in for a urine test and blood work. So Bradley went to work and my mom took me to Dr. Johnston's office. We had another ultrasound (this baby may have more pictures made before it's arrival than after). The tech never gave any indication that anything was wrong. Heartbeat was strong, etc. She sent us over to see the doctor. Dr. J followed my mom and me into the room and said something to this effect, "Your ovary is twisted. Maybe it's been twisting and untwisting causing the pain, but as of right now it's twisted and you need surgery today. I'll schedule you for 1:00." This was somewhere around 10:45. After a small panic attack and several phone calls, I was in a room ready for surgery at 12:55. Bradley, our families, and some close friends arrived in time to see me off. I have NEVER had surgery. And I had no idea what was about to happen. I knew there was a risk to the baby...our biggest concern. I knew they would try to drain the cyst, but might have to remove my ovary...another concern. So off we went...the next thing I knew I was headed to recovery. They told me my baby was ok and let me hear the heartbeat. They also told me they had to remove my left ovary and tube. We have been overwhelmed by the phone calls and messages from family and friends. This was a scary time for us both. Bradley told me this morning that he thought I was holding it together better than him yesterday. I thought he was holding it together better than me.

Let me give Flowers Hospital a little plug: There was not one person who we dealt with who did not go above and beyond their duties. They were the kindest and most patient people to work with...from the ER to the 2nd floor where we spent several nights. I think it is rare to find people of that quality. But they're still around. We appreciate each of them so much.

And the most important thing, I have to share how BIG God was in this. He showed His hand many times through this ordeal. It makes me so thankful and also so overwhelmed with emotion to think about it now. I had fever for a few hours Sunday night...that was all. Had we not noticed it, we would not have seen the doctor until next week. The blood supply to my ovary was cut off. If left alone, it could have been so much worse on the baby and myself. Also, the nurse I had going into surgery. God placed her there. She had been through the same procedure while pregnant. She told me her baby was fine and that she went on to have another. She was such and encouragement. She told me she was praying for me as they wheeled me out. This morning my nurse was unable to find a heartbeat. So they sent me for an ultrasound. My tech happened to be a sweet girl from Opp who I took dance with many, many, many years ago. She probably didn't know it, but I needed her familiar face this morning. And God knew it.

We are so thankful for everything. There's no way this post expresses it all. But we have no doubt that God was with us the entire time. Bro. Tony, who married us, shared a verse with us from Isaiah yesterday as we were preparing for surgery. I'm sure he had no idea that I've read that verse many times and that it's underlined in my Bible because I find it so encouraging. Thank you, God, for your presence and for your plan. We are filled with gratefulness for Your goodness.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

This is not the weekend I expected...

I came home from school Wednesday afternoon and fell asleep immediately. I remember Bradley telling me to get up because I wouldn't sleep through the night if I slept all afternoon. Little did he know neither of us would do much sleeping that night.


I've known I have a cyst on my left ovary for almost 2 months now. The past week, I've been it's been more uncomfortable than usual. I woke up around 1:30 Thursday morning in some pain on my left side. I moved around and tried to go back to sleep. At 3:00 I decided something was wrong. I woke Bradley up and we called my doctor. They told us we could come to the emergency room or wait until 8 to see the doctor on call. I have never hurt like that in my life. So we called my mom and left home at 4 a.m. headed to Dothan. We had an ultrasound in the ER. Everything was fine with the baby. It's heartbeat was strong and it was kicking it's legs. They told me there wasn't much they could do for the pain and I should see my doctor. So we slept in the car waiting until 10:30 for another ultrasound and to see the doctor. We thought the cyst had ruptured, but after seeing the ultrasound, it was in tact. The explanation we were given is that because the cyst is large AND my uterus is growing, things were getting crowded. They said the cyst might be twisting some ligaments and causing the pain. When I saw the doctor, the pain had eased and he sent us home with a prescription for Tylenol 3. We were 3 minutes down the road when I was doubled over again. They pain was so strong I was sick to my stomach. Bradley's mom was working in Newton at the doctor's office so we stopped by there to see if they could help me. Someone went to fill my prescription. I took 2 Tylenol and we started home. I was sleepy but still in A LOT of pain. I could find NO relief. I couldn't sit, I couldn't stand, I couldn't lay down. So Bradley's mom called the doctor and they prescribed Loratab. I took one and waited...no relief. They told us to come back to the ER. So off we went...for the longest ride ever. I was given 2 doses of morphine when we got there. They they started me on Demoral. I was finally able to rest some. They moved me to a room around 1:30 Friday morning. They told me surgery would be a last resort, because of the danger to the baby. Their goal was to control my pain. I've had more pain medicine in the last 3 days than I've had in my entire life. They sent me home today at lunch. I'm trying to survive on Loratab. But the pain is still excruciating at times.

For those of you who have called or come by, we appreciate it so much. Please keep us in your prayers. I need to save my sick days, but know I cannot function in this state at school. It is all very overwhelming and scary. I feel we would be better off if the cyst would just rupture. They told me it wouldn't harm the baby and I'd have instant relief. Please, please pray for Bradley, myself, and the baby.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

A Visit from a Friend

I am pleased to share that I cooked breakfast this morning (big accomplishment). We had biscuits, bacon, and Bradley had eggs. I don't do eggs. It was nice. We even had juice and we never have juice. We laid around for a while laughing at Molly. Then my phone rang...it was my long lost "bestest" friend, Allie, who currently lives in Kentucky. She was home for Easter and was coming to visit. Visitors are always a good incentive to clean and we needed some motivation. Allie, her sister, and her little John Marshall came about middle of the afternoon. It was so nice to see them. Allie and I talk every other week or so but we don't see each other often. When we do visit, it's like we never left off. I am so thankful for her and our friendship. JM slept the whole time. Bradley and I both got a little practice holding a baby. She had JM November 6th I believe...and I am due November 1st. There should be a year between them. I asked lots of pregnancy questions while she was here. It was just an enjoyable time of catching up.

Bradley is gone to Enterprise to check out a truck and pick up supper. I'm parked in the recliner. I'm looking forward to tomorrow and hoping for a good day. I have been a little emotional with all there is to be thankful for this Easter. May your Easter be a time of reflection and a blessed time with family.