For all intents and purposes, I was in a "hellish" situation with extremely unusual circumstances; however, God was holding me tight. Most likely in order to protect me from physically harming or emotionally crippling one of His children! I was at peace enough not to be angry with the hospital or the staff. Those sweet nurses were literally running around trying to attend to their overflow of patients, yet when they were with me, they were attentive, kind, and reassuring. As frustrated as I was, I knew it was no one's fault, and being angry or resentful would only make my attitude worse, so I did my best to make the best of this tornado of crazy that I was in...that was until my third roommate came in.
Now, it could be that it was because I was tired, or it could be that all the issues I had with this third roommate had nothing to do with her being pregnant or in labor so therefore I grew more easily annoyed. She was having to monitor her urine out put aka pee into measuring cup that attaches to the toilet. Her urine then had to be transferred into a separate container. I was graciously patient when I got up to go to the bathroom and there sat her cup o pee, still attached to the toilet. I knew I couldn't just pee in it, I knew I was not about to handle that cup o pee by myself, so I wheeled my IV pole back to my bed and called for a nurse. I then waited 10ish minutes for her to arrive and then a few more minutes for her to take care of the cup and then sanitize the peed on seat! By this time I had to pee so badly my vision was becoming blurred and I had been standing leaning on my IV, so that could have been the cause as well. As my nurse helped me back to my bed and got all my cords re-attached, I asked if I should be using another bathroom, since this lady had a "specific need." My nurse told me that she would have a talk with her(my roommate) about how to transfer the urine herself or to call a nurse before she has to go to the bathroom, so someone can assist her as needed. I thanked her and then tried to settle back in. Through my burning eyes I tried reading the many text messages coming through my phone. All best wishes, and concerns from friends and family(let me take this opportunity to apologize if I did not get back to you, I was truly in a haze). It was almost 10am when Matt arrived, just seeing his face, I felt alive again...and then I started to cry. All the emotions were bubbling close to the surface at this point, and of course I had to pee. Matt helped me get unplugged and assisted me to the bathroom only to once again find the "pee cup." Thankfully, I didn't have to wobble back to my bed, Matt went out and grabbed a nurse. I loudly asked the nurse if I needed to be using another bathroom, for the sole purpose of the answer being within hearing range of "the roommate." The nurse responded as I hoped she would. Silly me... I thought that would be the end of it! Unfortunately, it happened AGAIN! I was moments away from yanking back her curtain and throwing her cup o pee in her room! She knew she was sharing that toilet, she had been told multiple times how to handle the cup, yet she still didn't do it! I can handle a woman in labor experiencing bodily issues (as gross as they were), but this lady was just making me angry! She had no excuse, she was just being lazy!
I was still on the contraction monitor and was experiencing uterine irritability(I was experiencing more than uterine irritability, but that wasn't being monitored), so Matt and I decided to pull out the lap top and watch a show on Netflix to occupy the time. But oh no no, roommate decided to live out an episode of Days of Our Lives when her baby daddy arrived. I am not being discriminatory or judgmental she(the roommate) referred to her baby daddy as "baby daddy." The drama that unfolded between these two was unreal! I do not have the time or mental willingness to re-live, in writing, what went down between these two people, but believe you me, it was ridiculous! Now I know where soap opera writers get their materials from...hospital overflow rooms. She then starting telling her baby daddy that I was being whiny about the bathroom and that she didn't ask for a nurse to come in and clean the toilet after I had used it. I wanted to scream across the room "that's because I don't pee on the seat and leave my pee cup for someone else to clean up!" I looked at Matt with huge eyes, he could tell I was about to loose it! He held my hand and told me to stay calm, then he reminded me that we are lucky to not have that kind of drama in our life. Ah perspective!
I would later get my own room, with my own bathroom! Praise the Lord, it was glorious! not really, it was a simple hospital room, but in comparison to where I had been...glorious! I was no longer on a clear liquid diet, so after I ate dinner I had a hot shower and I slept all night (minus the several times my nurse came in to monitor or medicate me). Sunday was a new day and the boys were coming to see me!
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Monday, January 26, 2015
Friday Hospital Stay Part 2- reader discretion still advised
I arrived on what had to be this hospitals busiest baby birthing night. Every labor and delivery room was full so I was wheeled to the back of a small overflow area that was divided by curtains into 4 spaces. Mine was the smallest space of the other three, but thankfully I had a window! My cousin and her fiancé, live in Augusta, and they were there waiting on me when I arrived. I was away from home, but at least I was greeted by a smiling familiar face! They brought me cookies and a super soft blanket, both would come in very handy.
Once I had been checked out by the nurses, one of the doctor's came in to try and place a non stress test monitor on each of the babies, it proved to be an impossible task. The doctor grew so irritated with herself for not being able to make it work, especially after the nurse warned her that it would be too difficult for more than two babies. Frustrated the Doc asked for the portable ultra sound machine, and was able to check on the babies that way. By the time all was said and done, it was close to 11pm. I received a dose of Magnesium to stop the remaining contractions and also it helps the babies neurologically. Thankfully I did not have many of the terrible symptoms that can come along with magnesium, my only issue was my face felt like it was on fire. I tried to calm myself and relax...and then the snapping started! The lady next to me was laboring and every time she had a contraction she would yell her native tongue and then snap her fingers. I understand grunting, wailing, hard breathing...but snapping? I just don't see how that is a relief, I'm not passing judgment, I'm just surprised that snapping can be used as a coping mechanism. The other lady that was in the overflow room had been in a car wreck and starting having contractions, so she had to be monitored for 4 hours. She had no bizarre antics, but she was in the space right beside the bathroom and didn't have her curtain pulled all the way around, so every time I went to the bathroom, I had to turn to the side and enter that way so I didn't see anything that I didn't need to be seeing!
Trying to go to sleep next to a woman laboring just was not happening! Plus all the lights were on! My space had it's over head lights off, but every other space was well lit, and the privacy curtains are see through, big holed mesh for the top two feet. Not only that, remember the labor and delivery bed I described? That is what I was lying on, hard, flat, narrow and short "bed." I couldn't roll onto my left side(typically my most comfortable sleep position) because I had had the steroid shot in that side earlier that day. When I would roll to my right I couldn't help but be distracted by snappy snaperson on the other side. I am not a shy person and don't embarrass easily; however, I was extremely uncomfortable with the thought that I was going to hear another woman give birth with nothing but a thin curtain for her privacy. I then took the super soft blanket my cousin had brought me, folded it, and wrapped it from ear to ear, leaving a flap to hang over my eyes. Although it did help muffle the noise, I still could not settle down enough to fall asleep. Finally, around 2:45 am "Mrs. Snappers" was taken to a labor and delivery room. I slowly started drifting until the cleaning crew came in to clean her, now vacant, space. The smell of hospital grade disinfectant burning my nose hairs, made it hard to sleep. Moments after the cleaning crew left, the car wreck woman was cleared to go home. I thought now that I was the only one in the room, the lights would be turned off and I could finally fall asleep, just as that thought finished forming in my head, another laboring woman came in!
Although she didn't snap when contracting, she and her 4 other family members walked around the entire overflow space, moving curtains, making themselves comfortable. She then proceeded to go to the bathroom without closing the door, and because she was laboring, she had diarrhea! Not only that, but she felt it necessary to talk with her family as she was blowing it up in the bathroom, grunts and all! I threw my hands over my ears and prayed that I would not have to pee until a nurse could come in!! I was in shock at how the night was going and started to get emotional, I feared I would lose it! Thankfully(or so I thought at the moment) the nurse and doctor came in. The doctor checked my contraction monitor and wanted to do a manual cervix check. I had no bed pan to lift my hips up, and she was determined to get this check done quickly (again, they were swamped with women having babies, she kept getting paged). She told me to ball up my fists and put them under my hips, which is hard to do seeing as how I felt like a turned over turtle and I had my IV in the bend of my left wrist. I did my best, but it was not good enough, she fought...and I mean fought, to reach my cervix. I cried out in pain and couldn't breathe. She continued to force her way to my cervix, I tried so very hard to sit there and take it, but I ended up begging her to stop, I was in so much pain. She said hang in there for just a minute and praise God, she reached it and was finished. I was so lightheaded after, my hearing was muted and I just laid there crying, trying to calm myself and take deep breaths. Would this night ever be over? The silver lining of my exam and recovery after wards, occupied my mind from my "roommate." However, now I had to pee!!! I was helped to the bathroom only to see splattered blood on the floor and diarrhea on the toilet! I spun around, looked at my nurse and asked if someone could clean this or if there was another bathroom I could use. I was not trying to be insensitive, when a woman is in labor, stuff happens, nasty bodily stuff! But that is why women have their own labor and delivery rooms! sharing a space during this time, is just not sanitary! At 5:48am a room finally opened up that she was able to go to. I slept for 38 minutes and then my new roommate arrived...and she would end up taking the cake...
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| In my bed, my toes were touching the privacy curtain! You can see into the next room. Very small space! |
Once I had been checked out by the nurses, one of the doctor's came in to try and place a non stress test monitor on each of the babies, it proved to be an impossible task. The doctor grew so irritated with herself for not being able to make it work, especially after the nurse warned her that it would be too difficult for more than two babies. Frustrated the Doc asked for the portable ultra sound machine, and was able to check on the babies that way. By the time all was said and done, it was close to 11pm. I received a dose of Magnesium to stop the remaining contractions and also it helps the babies neurologically. Thankfully I did not have many of the terrible symptoms that can come along with magnesium, my only issue was my face felt like it was on fire. I tried to calm myself and relax...and then the snapping started! The lady next to me was laboring and every time she had a contraction she would yell her native tongue and then snap her fingers. I understand grunting, wailing, hard breathing...but snapping? I just don't see how that is a relief, I'm not passing judgment, I'm just surprised that snapping can be used as a coping mechanism. The other lady that was in the overflow room had been in a car wreck and starting having contractions, so she had to be monitored for 4 hours. She had no bizarre antics, but she was in the space right beside the bathroom and didn't have her curtain pulled all the way around, so every time I went to the bathroom, I had to turn to the side and enter that way so I didn't see anything that I didn't need to be seeing!
Trying to go to sleep next to a woman laboring just was not happening! Plus all the lights were on! My space had it's over head lights off, but every other space was well lit, and the privacy curtains are see through, big holed mesh for the top two feet. Not only that, remember the labor and delivery bed I described? That is what I was lying on, hard, flat, narrow and short "bed." I couldn't roll onto my left side(typically my most comfortable sleep position) because I had had the steroid shot in that side earlier that day. When I would roll to my right I couldn't help but be distracted by snappy snaperson on the other side. I am not a shy person and don't embarrass easily; however, I was extremely uncomfortable with the thought that I was going to hear another woman give birth with nothing but a thin curtain for her privacy. I then took the super soft blanket my cousin had brought me, folded it, and wrapped it from ear to ear, leaving a flap to hang over my eyes. Although it did help muffle the noise, I still could not settle down enough to fall asleep. Finally, around 2:45 am "Mrs. Snappers" was taken to a labor and delivery room. I slowly started drifting until the cleaning crew came in to clean her, now vacant, space. The smell of hospital grade disinfectant burning my nose hairs, made it hard to sleep. Moments after the cleaning crew left, the car wreck woman was cleared to go home. I thought now that I was the only one in the room, the lights would be turned off and I could finally fall asleep, just as that thought finished forming in my head, another laboring woman came in!
Although she didn't snap when contracting, she and her 4 other family members walked around the entire overflow space, moving curtains, making themselves comfortable. She then proceeded to go to the bathroom without closing the door, and because she was laboring, she had diarrhea! Not only that, but she felt it necessary to talk with her family as she was blowing it up in the bathroom, grunts and all! I threw my hands over my ears and prayed that I would not have to pee until a nurse could come in!! I was in shock at how the night was going and started to get emotional, I feared I would lose it! Thankfully(or so I thought at the moment) the nurse and doctor came in. The doctor checked my contraction monitor and wanted to do a manual cervix check. I had no bed pan to lift my hips up, and she was determined to get this check done quickly (again, they were swamped with women having babies, she kept getting paged). She told me to ball up my fists and put them under my hips, which is hard to do seeing as how I felt like a turned over turtle and I had my IV in the bend of my left wrist. I did my best, but it was not good enough, she fought...and I mean fought, to reach my cervix. I cried out in pain and couldn't breathe. She continued to force her way to my cervix, I tried so very hard to sit there and take it, but I ended up begging her to stop, I was in so much pain. She said hang in there for just a minute and praise God, she reached it and was finished. I was so lightheaded after, my hearing was muted and I just laid there crying, trying to calm myself and take deep breaths. Would this night ever be over? The silver lining of my exam and recovery after wards, occupied my mind from my "roommate." However, now I had to pee!!! I was helped to the bathroom only to see splattered blood on the floor and diarrhea on the toilet! I spun around, looked at my nurse and asked if someone could clean this or if there was another bathroom I could use. I was not trying to be insensitive, when a woman is in labor, stuff happens, nasty bodily stuff! But that is why women have their own labor and delivery rooms! sharing a space during this time, is just not sanitary! At 5:48am a room finally opened up that she was able to go to. I slept for 38 minutes and then my new roommate arrived...and she would end up taking the cake...
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Reader Discretion is Advised! Friday Hospital Stay Part 1
Does anyone else miss watching TLC's show A Baby Story or Bringing Home Baby? When I was pregnant with my older boys, those shows were still in syndication, and I loved watching them, being pregnant and watching someone else's story, gave me things to look forward to, new ideas, and even made me aware of things I didn't want to do. Now, the only show on, that has anything to do with babies and birth stories, is I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant. That show BLOWS MY MIND! Women can go their whole pregnancy and not know they are pregnant?! No nausea, having to go to the bathroom 100 times a day, no smell or food aversions, largely expanding uterus, feeling their baby move...nothing! I have such a hard time comprehending this concept and am curious if anyone carrying multiples ever experienced this phenomenon...that would be one heck of a story; however, I'm sure I would watch the entire episode in disbelief.
The above was the post I had started writing on Friday when my contractions started getting so intense I had to call my doctor. WARNING: the following post will contain honest details of what I have experienced the past few days. If reading about certain body parts makes you uncomfortable, I suggest you skip this post. In going through this experience, I wish I had a raw and real journey to follow so I din't feel like, because this pregnancy hasn't been roses, I was alone in these symptoms and circumstances.
FRIDAY: hospital stay part 1
I had my scan at my MFM on Tuesday followed by a cervix check, all were fine. Afterwards, however, every time I would stand up I would have a fairly intense contraction that would take my breath away. It would fade after a few moments and I could continue on to where I was going, i.e. the bathroom! Same was happening on Wednesday and Thursday, although at this point the "moments" turned into minutes. I still wasn't worried, as they did fade, and I wasn't having any while I was lying down or sitting. Thursday evening I started having some intense back pain and even while lying in bed I was having some contractions. I figured as long as they didn't progress in the time in between and intensity, I would be ok. I slept miserably that night, no matter what position I tried, I couldn't ease the back pain. Friday morning, I packed Campbell's lunch and sat down in my recliner as Matt got the boys off to school. I still could not shake these contractions and back pain, I tried a heating pad and Tylenol, neither of which worked. I attempted to watch tv, knit, and write in my blog to occupy my mind. My whole belly would get so tight, I could see it contract under my shirt. I thought I should take a hot shower and let the water ease my muscles. If I was still contracting after that, I would call my doctor. Unfortunately I couldn't even finish my shower, I was out of breath and in pain. I got a towel and called my doctor. Although I was sure I was having contractions, I still had the idea in the back of my head that I would be told, it's just growing pains from carrying four babies, So I was not totally panicking, I was just in pain. I called my sister to ask if she could take me to my doctor. As soon as we hung up my doctor called me back and told me to just go ahead and go straight to the hospital. Arriving at the hospital I was immediately taken to OBED (obstetrics emergency department) I had all my vitals checked, was put on a monitor(for the contractions) and was awaiting my doctor to come check me out. There are three doctors in my regular OB's practice, two of which I mainly deal with. The third, ironically delivered both my boys. She is an amazing surgeon but just doesn't have the bed side manner of which I prefer in my regular visits. She is book smart, but comes off flighty in regular conversation. Anyway, she just happened to be the Doctor on call and was who I was waiting for (I will refer to her as Dr. A). By the time she arrived, I was in intense pain and the monitor was picking up contractions and uterine irritability. Dr A first wanted to ultra sound me to check on the babies, before checking my cervix with an internal exam. Watching her trying to get an ultra sound machine to work, that she was unfamiliar with, was hysterical. She kept saying how inept it made her feel. She talks slow and quite and almost "valley girl like"(part of the reason she comes across as flighty) I couldn't help but feel sorry for her, but I couldn't help but laugh as well. All in good fun as she was laughing at herself. Babies all looked great, no sign of decreased fluid and their heartbeats were all in their normal range(145-158). Moving on to the internal exam!!! We did not have a regular labor and delivery bed in the room(these beds are made to be able to breakdown quickly in case delivery is needed, er go, they are extremely uncomfortable and have no cushion or padding to them(remember this description for later). Being in a regular hospital bed, I was comfortable, but we had no way of elevating my hips for her to examine me...so her idea is to use a bed pan!!! My sister and I made wide-eyed eye contact at each other! Plastic bed pans are not that sturdy and not very big, but we did what we had to do. I was able to get my hips on top of the upside down bed pan and "relax my legs outward." Dr. A then turned on her light and said "Oh my God, those are some hemorrhoids, let's go ahead and put in an order of colace for this girl!" My sister and I died laughing.
I replied, "it's not due to constipation, I have four babies in there and that creates a lot of pressure, if the babies stay in, something else must come out!" After the laughter died down, she continued to check my cervix. I am tall and my cervix is way up high and tilts back, making it hard to reach. The other main OB's I see, know this and have an easier time reaching it. I don't know if it was because I was on a bed pan, or what, but she was all up in there trying to find it. She kept asking me to cough, I couldn't cough because I was laughing, but my laughing seemed to do the trick. My cervix was still closed! We swabbed for fluids that would indicate if one of the babies' water was leaking(four babies with four separate sacs= four separate waters). All looked good.
Within 10 minutes of my arrival to the hospital, Dr. K(the head neonatologist at the hospital) came in to check on me. I had spoken with him on Thursday about my concerns with the sudden change in him "not being comfortable with me delivering at that hospital before 30 weeks." While talking with him, he explained they just didn't have enough man power and enough machines on hand to properly provide the needed care for my babies. I could tell in speaking with him, that he was disappointed, and did want me to be able to deliver there, but the hospital wasn't willing to assume that liability. All that to say, I was touched he came to check on me. He asked Dr. A if she would come update him after she did her exam. Dr. A got on the phone with my MFM(Dr. Rosemond) to find out how he wanted to proceed with treatment. Since I wasn't dilated and my waters were in tact, he wanted to keep me monitored and put me on a mild medication to relax my uterus. He is big on the 24 week viability maker and did not want to go ahead with the steroid shot to help develop the babies lungs until next week. However, after Dr. A went and discussed treatment with Dr. K he said he(Dr K) would fight to resuscitate the babies if they were born now and would advise going ahead with the steroid shot... so we did! I was thankful that he was willing to fight for my babies(quick props to Dr. K)! The steroid shot was big and very thick, it was given to me on my left upper leg, almost in the butt region but not quite. That was one painful shot I could feel the heat as it entered my vein. I just kept muttering under my breathe, that this is for my babies! After I was given the uterine relaxer, my contractions and irritability did calm down, I was still having them, but not nearly to the extent I was earlier.
Three hours later, Dr. M(one of my regular Ob's)came in. I was quite surprised to see her, as Dr A was the one, from their office, that was on call. She explained that she was called in because Dr. A was at another hospital attending a patient and the hospital I was currently at was ready to have me gone. The board, the head of the hospital and their attorney's had been meeting in the NICU all after noon about my case, and although I showed NO signs of active labor, and was not dilated and my waters had not broken, they(the hospital admin staff) wasn't even willing to let me continue being monitored there. They called in my OB to tell me that I was getting transferred to Augusta within the hour!!!! I was completely shocked and Dr. M wasn't pleased with their decision either. She said it wasn't right that they could take two sets of preemie twins but not one set of preemie quads? and I wasn't even in labor! Both she and Dr. Rosemond felt like Athens had let them down, they are great doctors that know what they are doing, but the hospital just wasn't willing to take any chances. By the time Dr. M finished talking with me I had 1 hour to call my support system to try and get a plan in place. I had nothing with me, I was only supposed to be monitored! Not sent to Augusta! I was so nervous to call my hubs, he does not handle change well...at all! and all day I had been assuring him I was fine, the babies were great, I was not in labor, I was just being monitored! Even though the hospital's stand point was "things can change in a split second" and I'm sure there is a bit of truth in that; however, medically speaking, I had not signs of impending doom and pressing circumstances! So I was still feeling God's peace with all of it. I was not feeling too much peace about having to be transported two hours away with no time to get my things in order. I didn't even have enough time to get someone to bring me a bag!
My sweet friend had come by, right after Dr. M had left, to bring me two huge bags of Swedish Fish!!! I explained what had just gone down and jokingly asked her if she wanted to call Matt! She sat with me through all the phone calls, she listened to me cry over my fears of being transported away from my family, she made me smile again, and she stayed with me until the ambulance arrived. I had a team of 6 going with me. Normally it is the driver, and one EMT that rides in the back with you. I had them, plus another guy, plus a labor and delivery nurse, a NICU nurse and a neonatal respiratory therapist! We were packed. Everyone was so kind and helped to keep my mind focused on what was the most important thing- getting my babies to the best place possible in the rare case that I had to deliver! Before we left, the driver and I made a deal, he wouldn't hit any cars or deer, and I wouldn't have my babies in his ambulance!
In the ambulance I was having contractions every 7 to 9 minutes the first hour of the trip, because it was a very bumpy ride, and every time my uterus was jarred, it contracted. Once we hit the highway, they slowed down to every 20minutes. I held up my end of the deal and so did the driver! We arrived in Augusta in a little over two hours. I was taken upstairs to labor and delivery and was placed in a very small overflow room with two other women, things were about to get interesting...
The above was the post I had started writing on Friday when my contractions started getting so intense I had to call my doctor. WARNING: the following post will contain honest details of what I have experienced the past few days. If reading about certain body parts makes you uncomfortable, I suggest you skip this post. In going through this experience, I wish I had a raw and real journey to follow so I din't feel like, because this pregnancy hasn't been roses, I was alone in these symptoms and circumstances.
FRIDAY: hospital stay part 1
I had my scan at my MFM on Tuesday followed by a cervix check, all were fine. Afterwards, however, every time I would stand up I would have a fairly intense contraction that would take my breath away. It would fade after a few moments and I could continue on to where I was going, i.e. the bathroom! Same was happening on Wednesday and Thursday, although at this point the "moments" turned into minutes. I still wasn't worried, as they did fade, and I wasn't having any while I was lying down or sitting. Thursday evening I started having some intense back pain and even while lying in bed I was having some contractions. I figured as long as they didn't progress in the time in between and intensity, I would be ok. I slept miserably that night, no matter what position I tried, I couldn't ease the back pain. Friday morning, I packed Campbell's lunch and sat down in my recliner as Matt got the boys off to school. I still could not shake these contractions and back pain, I tried a heating pad and Tylenol, neither of which worked. I attempted to watch tv, knit, and write in my blog to occupy my mind. My whole belly would get so tight, I could see it contract under my shirt. I thought I should take a hot shower and let the water ease my muscles. If I was still contracting after that, I would call my doctor. Unfortunately I couldn't even finish my shower, I was out of breath and in pain. I got a towel and called my doctor. Although I was sure I was having contractions, I still had the idea in the back of my head that I would be told, it's just growing pains from carrying four babies, So I was not totally panicking, I was just in pain. I called my sister to ask if she could take me to my doctor. As soon as we hung up my doctor called me back and told me to just go ahead and go straight to the hospital. Arriving at the hospital I was immediately taken to OBED (obstetrics emergency department) I had all my vitals checked, was put on a monitor(for the contractions) and was awaiting my doctor to come check me out. There are three doctors in my regular OB's practice, two of which I mainly deal with. The third, ironically delivered both my boys. She is an amazing surgeon but just doesn't have the bed side manner of which I prefer in my regular visits. She is book smart, but comes off flighty in regular conversation. Anyway, she just happened to be the Doctor on call and was who I was waiting for (I will refer to her as Dr. A). By the time she arrived, I was in intense pain and the monitor was picking up contractions and uterine irritability. Dr A first wanted to ultra sound me to check on the babies, before checking my cervix with an internal exam. Watching her trying to get an ultra sound machine to work, that she was unfamiliar with, was hysterical. She kept saying how inept it made her feel. She talks slow and quite and almost "valley girl like"(part of the reason she comes across as flighty) I couldn't help but feel sorry for her, but I couldn't help but laugh as well. All in good fun as she was laughing at herself. Babies all looked great, no sign of decreased fluid and their heartbeats were all in their normal range(145-158). Moving on to the internal exam!!! We did not have a regular labor and delivery bed in the room(these beds are made to be able to breakdown quickly in case delivery is needed, er go, they are extremely uncomfortable and have no cushion or padding to them(remember this description for later). Being in a regular hospital bed, I was comfortable, but we had no way of elevating my hips for her to examine me...so her idea is to use a bed pan!!! My sister and I made wide-eyed eye contact at each other! Plastic bed pans are not that sturdy and not very big, but we did what we had to do. I was able to get my hips on top of the upside down bed pan and "relax my legs outward." Dr. A then turned on her light and said "Oh my God, those are some hemorrhoids, let's go ahead and put in an order of colace for this girl!" My sister and I died laughing.
 |
| this is an image of hemorrhoids they are swollen vessels coming out of your rectum and are filled with blood and very painful! |
Within 10 minutes of my arrival to the hospital, Dr. K(the head neonatologist at the hospital) came in to check on me. I had spoken with him on Thursday about my concerns with the sudden change in him "not being comfortable with me delivering at that hospital before 30 weeks." While talking with him, he explained they just didn't have enough man power and enough machines on hand to properly provide the needed care for my babies. I could tell in speaking with him, that he was disappointed, and did want me to be able to deliver there, but the hospital wasn't willing to assume that liability. All that to say, I was touched he came to check on me. He asked Dr. A if she would come update him after she did her exam. Dr. A got on the phone with my MFM(Dr. Rosemond) to find out how he wanted to proceed with treatment. Since I wasn't dilated and my waters were in tact, he wanted to keep me monitored and put me on a mild medication to relax my uterus. He is big on the 24 week viability maker and did not want to go ahead with the steroid shot to help develop the babies lungs until next week. However, after Dr. A went and discussed treatment with Dr. K he said he(Dr K) would fight to resuscitate the babies if they were born now and would advise going ahead with the steroid shot... so we did! I was thankful that he was willing to fight for my babies(quick props to Dr. K)! The steroid shot was big and very thick, it was given to me on my left upper leg, almost in the butt region but not quite. That was one painful shot I could feel the heat as it entered my vein. I just kept muttering under my breathe, that this is for my babies! After I was given the uterine relaxer, my contractions and irritability did calm down, I was still having them, but not nearly to the extent I was earlier.
Three hours later, Dr. M(one of my regular Ob's)came in. I was quite surprised to see her, as Dr A was the one, from their office, that was on call. She explained that she was called in because Dr. A was at another hospital attending a patient and the hospital I was currently at was ready to have me gone. The board, the head of the hospital and their attorney's had been meeting in the NICU all after noon about my case, and although I showed NO signs of active labor, and was not dilated and my waters had not broken, they(the hospital admin staff) wasn't even willing to let me continue being monitored there. They called in my OB to tell me that I was getting transferred to Augusta within the hour!!!! I was completely shocked and Dr. M wasn't pleased with their decision either. She said it wasn't right that they could take two sets of preemie twins but not one set of preemie quads? and I wasn't even in labor! Both she and Dr. Rosemond felt like Athens had let them down, they are great doctors that know what they are doing, but the hospital just wasn't willing to take any chances. By the time Dr. M finished talking with me I had 1 hour to call my support system to try and get a plan in place. I had nothing with me, I was only supposed to be monitored! Not sent to Augusta! I was so nervous to call my hubs, he does not handle change well...at all! and all day I had been assuring him I was fine, the babies were great, I was not in labor, I was just being monitored! Even though the hospital's stand point was "things can change in a split second" and I'm sure there is a bit of truth in that; however, medically speaking, I had not signs of impending doom and pressing circumstances! So I was still feeling God's peace with all of it. I was not feeling too much peace about having to be transported two hours away with no time to get my things in order. I didn't even have enough time to get someone to bring me a bag!
My sweet friend had come by, right after Dr. M had left, to bring me two huge bags of Swedish Fish!!! I explained what had just gone down and jokingly asked her if she wanted to call Matt! She sat with me through all the phone calls, she listened to me cry over my fears of being transported away from my family, she made me smile again, and she stayed with me until the ambulance arrived. I had a team of 6 going with me. Normally it is the driver, and one EMT that rides in the back with you. I had them, plus another guy, plus a labor and delivery nurse, a NICU nurse and a neonatal respiratory therapist! We were packed. Everyone was so kind and helped to keep my mind focused on what was the most important thing- getting my babies to the best place possible in the rare case that I had to deliver! Before we left, the driver and I made a deal, he wouldn't hit any cars or deer, and I wouldn't have my babies in his ambulance!
In the ambulance I was having contractions every 7 to 9 minutes the first hour of the trip, because it was a very bumpy ride, and every time my uterus was jarred, it contracted. Once we hit the highway, they slowed down to every 20minutes. I held up my end of the deal and so did the driver! We arrived in Augusta in a little over two hours. I was taken upstairs to labor and delivery and was placed in a very small overflow room with two other women, things were about to get interesting...
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
The Baby Shower and The Bad News...
Even though the last part of the day is hard for me, I very much enjoyed the baby shower my mom and sister threw for me. I woke up that morning spent some time watching cartoons with the boys, ate breakfast and then had to rest. I got up, took a shower...rest, got up, did my hair...rest, got up, had my lunch...rest! When my mom and sister came over a few hours before shower time, I had pretty hair, no make-up, was in pjs and laying, belly propped, on my bed. As start time approached, I was able to sit on a stool in my bathroom and finish getting ready. For the first part of the shower however, I was barefoot!! at least I was wearing pants!! Friends and family filled my house with love and support for these precious babies. Unwrapping all the diapers, wipes, blankets, onesies, etc was so joyful yet overwhelming. I talk about the quads so much that I had forgotten that they are four individual babies! Ironic, I know, but seeing custom made blankets with their names on them, hanging over their 4 individual cribs brought me to tears. I am having FOUR babies!!! I am becoming lightheaded writing about it now! Of course I have always known, but I think for sanity sake I drift in and out of the reality of it all. Typically I am kicked back into reality when I'm kicked in four various places in my belly, or when I struggle to roll over or stand up, or when I am on all fours just trying to breathe well, or any of those other magical moments that have occurred in carrying these babies.
This whole pregnancy has been filled with uncertainty. Last week I received a call from my OB saying that she would be turning me over to my MFM(Dr. Rosemond) for a while, since all she really does is check my blood pressure, the heart beats and then sends me on my way, and since I am on bed rest, she didn't want me getting out when I don't have to. That conversation happened on Tuesday. On Wednesday I received a call from Dr. Rosemond saying he had been talking with the Head Neonatologist(the one that Matt and I spent two hours with the week prior) and that he(Dr. K) no longer felt comfortable having us deliver at his hospital unless I was over 30 weeks!!! I was SHOCKED!!! Where in the world did this bad news come from? Just last week that doctor spent 2 hours with us touring the NICU and explaining how they had everything necessary to best take care of our babies...and now...randomly he changed his mind?! It would be one thing if the NICU was not able to meet the needs of our babies, but the week before, he had proven otherwise. So what happened in a week? Why now? I asked Dr. Rosemond what that meant for my delivery and he said you can either go to Atlanta or I would recommend Augusta. He continued to say that if my cervix was continuing to funnel at my next appointment, he didn't see the reason to keep seeing me here. He went on to explain that if I were to go into labor in Athens, it would not be good seeing as how the hospitals here couldn't take my babies!!! I again asked what that meant. He said that if my cervix was continuing to funnel then he thought it would be best to go ahead and send me to stay in Augusta until the babies were born! WHOA! more shock! I felt like my team of doctors was throwing in the towel, none having delivered and dealt with quads before, they just didn't want the responsibility and the liability that comes with this pregnancy and birth. It would be different if from the beginning they had said "we can take you to this many weeks and then you will need to go to Augusta." That would have allowed us time to plan for help with the boys and our work. It would have given us time to tour the hospital and meet with the Doctors that would be taking care of us. And above all that, it would have been polite!!! I am emotional anyway, times that by four, add the in the feelings of uncertainty, confusion, and abandonment and get the recipe for a breakdown! We will, of course, do what is best for my health and the health of these babies, but it didn't feel like that was the reasoning behind the change. It felt like the decision was made out of fear. I say "felt" because no one has given me the real explanation, so I can't speak in fact to why; however, I did email the director of the NICU and voiced my concerns and was asking for some clarity. She sent my email on and I will be meeting with Dr. K on Thursday.
I had my cervix check today and Praise God, no real change in the funneling, so that buys me two more weeks!! I am still on bed rest, and will continue to be for the remainder of this pregnancy, but at least for the next two weeks I will be home! Don't all these doctors understand these babies have a HUGE support system that is praying for them! These 23 week old babies are motivated little boogers!
Thank you all for your continued support, prayers, well wishes and letters. I can't wait to one day reflect back on this journey with each of them so they can see how much they were loved and prayed for.
I love reading your letters, keep them coming! P.O. Box 1573 Watkinsville, Ga 30677
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
A Day in the Life...
Two babies are 22 weeks today! The other two will be 22 weeks on Friday, odd seeing as how none of them are identical...that would make more sense; however I have come to realize not much of this pregnancy "makes sense." I talked with my regular OB doctor yesterday and she said that for now, my peri (high risk doc) will be taking over. I am on bed rest and am no longer allowed to drive. I monitor my blood pressure several times a day. It gets so low(100/56 avg) I feel that I'm going to pass out. My doctor asked if I was getting in the "all fours" position. I try so hard to keep calm and be respectful, but I really just want to say "yes, I am; however, I cannot spend all day on all fours! You can't even begin to imagine the amount of pressure that it puts on my belly button(feels like they could fall out of that little bitty "button" at anytime) and it makes my back feel like it will snap in two! and the amount of times I have "hot lava" indigestion in that position is just stupid! and who can stay in that position all day? seriously...who???" But instead I said I would try my best to get in that position as much as possible but when I'm not I can just expect to be light headed? She said, "unfortunately yes." Awesome!
Being on bed rest, I am so very thankful for my amazing church Life Group(some call it a small group, but these people are in no way small and we are there for each other for life!) several gave up their own family time this past Sunday to come help Matt paint the nursery and put together cribs. The ladies helped me to go through and organize donated clothes...and they brought desserts!!!! (In the beginning of my pregnancy I was all about the salt, now, I want brownies, Swedish Fish , and Reisen Chocolate Chews! I don't know why, but I LOVE them)! Two of the three ladies that were able to come are pregnant themselves, five to six weeks ahead of me. It's so crazy to see how they function in comparison to myself. I know I should never compare, but I am human! I am so thankful for this pregnancy and love these babies, but not being able to drive, feeling like I am going to pass out at any point during the day, struggling to change positions, put on my own socks, bend down to get something off the floor, etc, makes me realize just how much I took for granted my singleton pregnancies, and the new found respect I have for those who carry multiples(Not to in any way suggest that there are not issues, discomforts and so forth with singleton pregnancies). I have a dear friend that is pregnant with identical twin boys that have TTTS, her baby A has been such a fighter this whole pregnancy and keeps defying the odds, causing the doctors to wonder, yet we know that prayers are being answered! My friend's faith and strength through this difficult journey is so inspiring to me, and reminds that, no matter what difficulties my body is facing, I am so grateful that my babies are growing and doing well, and what a blessing it is that they are four fraternal super twins that do not have to share a placenta!
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| 22 weeks |
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| this is what the table beside my recliner looks like: snacks, two cups of water, computer, office papers, blood pressure cuff, remote, and knitting basket. I just realized I am missing my Pepcid from my table! |
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Doing "The Turtle"
If you ever need to be reminded of the little things in life you take for granted...carry quads! I miss being able to get out of bed without feeling like a turned over turtle! I now understand why maternity pants don't have button closures, besides the comfy factor, you reach a point where can't see the top of your pants. I have to push my rear all the way back and stretch my neck forward to see my toes, only to be saddened because I need a pedicure. I am so very thankful for my shower stool, but I get so frustrated when I have to use it as soon as I get in the shower. I try so hard to stand and wash my hair, but I can't even get to the rinse before I have to sit, and then I remain on the stool so long that when I finally have saved enough energy to get up, I have somewhat painful indentions on my bottom. Drying off after a shower is hit and miss. I am able to get my belly, hair, arms, and back, but my legs and feet are often dried by me holding onto one end of the towel and trying to throw the towel to wrap around my leg(an unsuccessful attempt). I then dry my feet by dropping the towel on top of them and kicking my feet around in the towel until I feel they are dry. I miss being able to throw on some clothes and go. Instead, I sit down at my vanity and struggle to get my foot through the leg opening of my underwear! And then if I happen to sneeze, I tend to pee myself, and then start the process over again! My sweet Jack always helps me put on my socks!! Good thing, because without him, I'd be barefoot! I never thought my bra would be used to catch crumbs! One night, while taking a bath, I noticed several black dots where my chest meets the top of my belly. I was so confused, they were poppy seeds! It took me a minute, but then I remembered the everything bagel of my turkey sandwich, I ate for lunch, had poppy seeds on it. My husband gave me such a hard time about it, all in good humor! I have learned an advanced form of yoga, trying to get up from the toilet!
I miss being able to hold my pee for more than twenty minutes, granted at night I usually only have to get up 4 times, but doing "the turtle" 4 times in the middle of the night grates on one's nerves. When I am "sleeping" (and I say that in quotations because I am doubtful I am ever fully asleep) and on my right side I have terrible reflux, I am talking free flowing lava up into my mouth!!! When I make my way over to the left side, my arms go numb and my ears fill with heat. I then move to a reclined position with pillows, until I struggle to breath and my face feels fuzzy! And so goes my "sleep dance."
It is so hard for me not to pick up my boys and wrestle with them. Not always being able to sit at the table with them for dinner, is harder than I would have imagined. Jack still seems ok with it, but Campbell is now not wanting to leave my side. He is so sweet and sensitive, and he loves his baby brother's and sister and asks to feel them move, but I know his little mind is trying to process how his world is about to change. I have been trying to deal with one of the babies pushing on my Vena Cava(the vein that returns blood to the heart from your lower body). I get very light headed, fight to catch my breath, and my ears start ringing. The only position of relief is all fours, which is actually quite comfortable until it feels like the babies are about to explode out of my belly button!
I know once these babies come, every ache, spasm, pain, and irritation will be a distant memory and will all be worth it! Matt is so worried, it's hard to imagine this belly growing for 11 more weeks to reach our GOAL of 32 weeks. I am fighting gravity at this point and there is no such thing as balance! Every kick I feel, even the painful ones to my liver and ribs, I am thankful for and after the immediate pain stricken face, I do smile. I love when they move in response to Matt, Campbell or Jack's voice, it melts my heart!
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Me at 21weeks 4 days! Campbell talking to his babies and feeling them respond! Matt and the boys taping the nursery preparing for paint!
** Matt and I have been so amazed and blessed at the outpouring of love and support of so many, to our family. It is still overwhelming at times to know that we will have six kids under six! and your prayers and words of encouragement motivate us to keep putting one foot in front of the other. For those who have asked, cards, gifts and donations can be mailed to:
PO Box 1573 Watkinsville, Ga 30677
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
NICU visit
Today the hubs and I went for a tour of the NICU at one of the hospitals we might deliver at. Everyone was so kind and they answered all my questions and more. When we were walking around the unit, she(the Head of the department) was explaining what the machines and tubes were and how they functioned, and we saw the smallest little baby! He was born at 25 weeks!(mind you 24 weeks is viability). He is one week old now and from shoulder to shoulder he is the width of the narrow part of my forearm(no exaggeration)! Overwhelmed by the reality of it all, I began to cry. I tried to hold it back, but I'm a crier anyway and when you add pregnancy hormones(times them by 4) and then mix in a precious LITTLE baby, there was no stopping it. I started getting light headed and hot and had to ask to sit down. Once we settled into a room, the head Neonatologist came in to speak with us and answer any questions. We met for an hour and my brain could physically not store any more information. He assured us that once we were here and "in the flow" of things, that all would come together and make sense. He said right now we are speaking to the "what ifs" and that can go on for hours and may never apply, when the time comes he assured us that we would be involved in the conversations about the care of our babies. I took that as my cue to wrap it up! I wasn't offended, nor did I feel he wasn't taking our concerns seriously, after all we had been talking for over an hour. That... and our meeting had extended past lunch time and I was starving!!! All together it was a very informative day and I am thankful I had the opportunity to see and experience the NICU before our babies arrive. I am aware that nothing can fully prepare me for the emotions that I will go through when it's our little one's being cared for, but I am equally aware of the benefit of today's visit.
Last January we spent 10 days at Children's Healthcare when my 4 year old's appendix ruptured. It was unimaginable seeing my son in so much pain and being so sick. I only left his bedside once and that was to spend sometime with my other son at the Ronald McDonald House. My 4 year old came home on a PICC line and we had two, at home IV medications, that I had to administer twice daily, in a sanitary environment(I had to wear a mask, gloves, and sanitize the site before and after each dose). All that to say that the thought of machines and lines, etc isn't what troubles me, it's all the emotion and stress that goes along with not being able to physically help your child. My husband and I would argue daily over what we "heard" the doctors say. Interestingly, we were always together when we talked to the doctors, so hearing...or rather understanding what we heard differently became a source of frustration. I remember being on my knees beside the hospital bed(after my son had had a "down hill" day- those days resulted in the most amount of frustration between my husband and I) praying for my son, praying for my other son who was an hour away with family, and praying that God would protect our marriage in this stressful time. I prayed that the enemy would not be allowed to use this time as an "in" to mess with our marriage. Thankfully, all wounds(physical, emotional, and spiritual) healed and God has continued to bless our family.
Today when we returned from the NICU tour and I was telling my mom about what I didn't particularly "like" about the set up of the unit, my hubs kept interrupting me trying to explain why it was best that it was set up that way. I instantly became flooded with feelings of fear(we were both overwhelmed today, and left feeling emotional) this conversation sent me right back to a year ago and I got frustrated; I was already feeling so much pressure to do everything "right" to keep baking these babies for as long as possible, and now I wasn't being heard... I shut down. After a while I was able to coach my way out of my pitty party(using the skills I have developed in leading my team at work). Although my feelings were very real and maybe even justified, I had to break past the emotion and see the truth. My husband loves Jesus, he loves me and loves our children. He has always been the worrier in the family and he handles his stress and emotions COMPLETELY different than I do...and that's ok. I have to stay aware of those truths, because if not, I will get lost in the "easy fight." I pray that as this pregnancy progresses we communicate all that we are feeling openly and honestly and that we will let people help us when we need help. Being in a stressful situation and not sleeping on top of that will be no good for anyone involved!
Thanks for all who are following this journey and continue to pray for our family. We are so grateful for your kind words, donations, and offers of support. It truly takes a village!
Last January we spent 10 days at Children's Healthcare when my 4 year old's appendix ruptured. It was unimaginable seeing my son in so much pain and being so sick. I only left his bedside once and that was to spend sometime with my other son at the Ronald McDonald House. My 4 year old came home on a PICC line and we had two, at home IV medications, that I had to administer twice daily, in a sanitary environment(I had to wear a mask, gloves, and sanitize the site before and after each dose). All that to say that the thought of machines and lines, etc isn't what troubles me, it's all the emotion and stress that goes along with not being able to physically help your child. My husband and I would argue daily over what we "heard" the doctors say. Interestingly, we were always together when we talked to the doctors, so hearing...or rather understanding what we heard differently became a source of frustration. I remember being on my knees beside the hospital bed(after my son had had a "down hill" day- those days resulted in the most amount of frustration between my husband and I) praying for my son, praying for my other son who was an hour away with family, and praying that God would protect our marriage in this stressful time. I prayed that the enemy would not be allowed to use this time as an "in" to mess with our marriage. Thankfully, all wounds(physical, emotional, and spiritual) healed and God has continued to bless our family.
Today when we returned from the NICU tour and I was telling my mom about what I didn't particularly "like" about the set up of the unit, my hubs kept interrupting me trying to explain why it was best that it was set up that way. I instantly became flooded with feelings of fear(we were both overwhelmed today, and left feeling emotional) this conversation sent me right back to a year ago and I got frustrated; I was already feeling so much pressure to do everything "right" to keep baking these babies for as long as possible, and now I wasn't being heard... I shut down. After a while I was able to coach my way out of my pitty party(using the skills I have developed in leading my team at work). Although my feelings were very real and maybe even justified, I had to break past the emotion and see the truth. My husband loves Jesus, he loves me and loves our children. He has always been the worrier in the family and he handles his stress and emotions COMPLETELY different than I do...and that's ok. I have to stay aware of those truths, because if not, I will get lost in the "easy fight." I pray that as this pregnancy progresses we communicate all that we are feeling openly and honestly and that we will let people help us when we need help. Being in a stressful situation and not sleeping on top of that will be no good for anyone involved!
Thanks for all who are following this journey and continue to pray for our family. We are so grateful for your kind words, donations, and offers of support. It truly takes a village!
Monday, January 5, 2015
Angles, and Spasms, and Funneling OH MY!
My most recent visit with my peri(aka high risk doctor) went well'ish'. Not surprisingly I had to wait for 30minutes to be seen, what did surprise me was how long this visit took. It was an anatomy and growth scan and the ultrasound tech measured each piece of anatomy for 4 separate babies. Halfway through baby A's scan I started having trouble breathing, my body began to heat up and my ears started ringing, the images on the screen were no longer clear, so I shut my eyes and prayed that I would not throw up all over this poor woman! I Tried mind over matter for all of two or three minutes before I had to ask if I could roll on my side. From my high order multiples support group I had heard stories of ultrasound techs that make you stay on your back because they have a hard time scanning you on your side, and how mean and aggressive they can be about it; hence, why I tried my best to stay on my back, but I got to the point where I figured she would rather work harder to get the scan with me on my side than clean throw up off of herself! Thankfully she was very kind and accommodating, she told me to take deep breaths as she got me a cold rag to put on my head. She finished baby A, did B, and got half way through C when my hip and back muscles started spasming(when I lay on my side without a support up under my belly, the hanging weight puts a lot of strain on my back and hips). We slowly rolled me over to my right side having to take several pauses to allow my muscles to unwind, before I could finally settle into "scanning" position. I peaked open my eyes and tried to focus on the screen. I have missed not being able to see them, weird as it is because they are always with me, but I miss watching them move and listening to their heartbeat. I was so disappointed with myself for not being able to hold it together to watch their scans. Mind over matter apparently doesn't apply when you have four babies cutting off the blood flow from you lower body back to your heart.
When Doctor Rosmond came in he scanned for a bit with me on my side but was having a hard time seeing everything he needed to see on baby A( the one that is all the way at the bottom, blocking my cervix). We slowly rolled me onto my back so that Rosmond could get the info he needed. I was not able to stay on my back nearly the amount of time I did in the beginning, thankfully right as I was about to pass out he told me I could roll back to my side, and he got me another cold rag. A few minutes went by and I peaked one eye open and Rosmond was standing right in front of my face, making sure I was ok. Startled, I jumped a bit and said "oh hello there." He told me once I was able he wanted me to go empty my bladder so they could do a trans vaginal scan(using the ultra sound wand to go inside) to better see my cervix. When we finally got to that "oh so fun" scan, he did note that my cervix had started funneling.
~ side bar to try and paint you a mental picture of funneling~
If you hold your hands in front of you in "prayer" position(where all 5 fingers line up) the top part of the cervix(inside where the babies are) is where your palms meet. When palm to fingers is closed, you are all good. As you open up at the palm but keep your fingers pressed together, this is funneling. Once the "fingers" begin to separate, that is cause for concern and action as dilation and labor are soon to follow.
Doctor Rosmond is ok with the amount of funneling I have, but wants to keep an eye on it. I see my regular ob next week and then back to Rosmond the week after, he feels this will be sufficient monitoring for now. I just have to continue doing what I'm doing, which is a whole lot of nothing!
All that "drama" was worth it to have four healthy, growing babies! Two weighed in at 14oz and two weighed in at 13 oz, all 4 have equal fluid around them and all four separate placentas are attached in great locations! Praise Jesus!
*** please note, I made a short video to give you a visual for funneling but can't manage to upload it any where other than FB! So if you are on FB you can visit my page and check out the video Oh My Quad - Kirkland's Journey . Maybe one of these days I will get tech and social media savvy...then again, I'm about to have six kids under 6 in 1 house...so maybe not!
Saturday, January 3, 2015
mind blown
Last night I got on Facebook, and in my news feed was the Gardener's post about their babies weights. I made a simple comment that said:
After I got up and re-applied some deodorant, my husband and I tinkered with setting up a new FB page(all the while 112 notifications came through...bleep bleep...more sweating...bleep bleep...more sweating). I confirmed all friend requests on my personal page and just posted the link to my new page(sorry FB savvy people who are shaking their head at how hard I made it on myself). We sat there for a moment and watched all the "likes" come through on the new page I had just created, the one that only had two pictures on it and a link to my blog. Complete strangers all of the sudden cared what I had to say? all because of a question I asked on someone else's page? It was in no way insightful, or inspiring, or riddled with humor...just a question. I started feeling pressure to "be" something that these people were needing me to be. Then I recalled an article written by a pastor in our town that talked about the pros and cons of social media in a believer's life. One point made was that God called us to go and spread His word and the love of Christ with everyone, everywhere, and social media can be an outlet to doing so. He also reminded us that this would not be impossible if we didn't stay sensitive to the Holy Spirit's guidance in doing so. To which I commented #holyspiritsensitive. If God was now allowing me a high reached public outlet to share our story I would follow His lead. Be real, be truthful and above all else, glorify HIM!
The next morning when I was able to get on FB I saw a comment from a lady who struggles with pain everyday and she said that how reading the part in my blog where I talk about how God does give us more than we can handle, but not more than we can handle WITH Him, reminded her that He is still with her! Amen, if that's not an answered prayer?! Another lady said she was following and praying for us from Auckland, New Zealand! I am being continually blown away by people's kindness. My blog went from over 5,000 page views to over 51,000 page views in less than 8 hours! (just motioned my hands exploding out from my head).
Yesterday morning, before any of this happened, Matt and I sat down with the Children's pastor from our church(WFBC) and his wife. He was reassuring us that we were not in this journey alone and that our church family wanted to offer love and support and to explain what exactly that meant. God was confirming to me that church is more than a building and a place to gather, the Church is the people and I am so thankful for all of them.
Now that the sweating is under control, I will continue to post our journey(the good, the bad and the ugly) and bake these babies! From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for following this journey and praying for these babies. 32 weeks, here we come!
what were the babies gestational age at birth?
I am 20 weeks pregnant with quads and am following closely.
Thank you for sharing.
I then got off of Facebook and went back to what I was doing (laying in bed with my belly propped on a pillow)! Later, after the boys went to bed I received a text from a sweet friend, while I had my phone out, I opened up FB because the icon had 71 in a red circle in the top right hand corner. I had never received 71 notifications before so I thought, surely, it was the response in the Gardner's posts and FB had glitched and I was being notified to how many people had commented on their post. I got on my computer to see if the "glitch" appeared there as well. When I pulled up FB on my computer, I had over 82 new friend requests, 71 comments to my comment on the Gardner's post(by the way, I didn't even know you could comment on one particular person's comment!). Then the bleep bleeping started(the sound my computer makes when someone messages me or a notification occurs. More and more comments, people now wanting to follow my journey and wanting me to create a quad FB page, more and more friend requests... I began to sweat! I'm not talking a little rosy in the cheeks, I'm talking droplets of sweat(everywhere but from my forehead...go figure). I called my salon "right hand" and good friend to ask her what to do, I had no idea how to create a separate page. All the friend requests were coming to my personal account, how was I to accept those requests but on a new page...more sweating! I looked back on my phone and had received notifications that 20 new people were now following me on Instagram! People are very social media savvy, I wouldn't know where to begin, to find someone whose comment I "liked" on FB on Instagram??? more sweating! After I got up and re-applied some deodorant, my husband and I tinkered with setting up a new FB page(all the while 112 notifications came through...bleep bleep...more sweating...bleep bleep...more sweating). I confirmed all friend requests on my personal page and just posted the link to my new page(sorry FB savvy people who are shaking their head at how hard I made it on myself). We sat there for a moment and watched all the "likes" come through on the new page I had just created, the one that only had two pictures on it and a link to my blog. Complete strangers all of the sudden cared what I had to say? all because of a question I asked on someone else's page? It was in no way insightful, or inspiring, or riddled with humor...just a question. I started feeling pressure to "be" something that these people were needing me to be. Then I recalled an article written by a pastor in our town that talked about the pros and cons of social media in a believer's life. One point made was that God called us to go and spread His word and the love of Christ with everyone, everywhere, and social media can be an outlet to doing so. He also reminded us that this would not be impossible if we didn't stay sensitive to the Holy Spirit's guidance in doing so. To which I commented #holyspiritsensitive. If God was now allowing me a high reached public outlet to share our story I would follow His lead. Be real, be truthful and above all else, glorify HIM!
The next morning when I was able to get on FB I saw a comment from a lady who struggles with pain everyday and she said that how reading the part in my blog where I talk about how God does give us more than we can handle, but not more than we can handle WITH Him, reminded her that He is still with her! Amen, if that's not an answered prayer?! Another lady said she was following and praying for us from Auckland, New Zealand! I am being continually blown away by people's kindness. My blog went from over 5,000 page views to over 51,000 page views in less than 8 hours! (just motioned my hands exploding out from my head).
Yesterday morning, before any of this happened, Matt and I sat down with the Children's pastor from our church(WFBC) and his wife. He was reassuring us that we were not in this journey alone and that our church family wanted to offer love and support and to explain what exactly that meant. God was confirming to me that church is more than a building and a place to gather, the Church is the people and I am so thankful for all of them.
Now that the sweating is under control, I will continue to post our journey(the good, the bad and the ugly) and bake these babies! From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for following this journey and praying for these babies. 32 weeks, here we come!
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