Home again and all is well, but we had a trying week!
Friday night 8/15/08: Excrutiating stomach pain kept me up all night long. Hubby searched the internet and it seemed to be Acute Gastritis. Note to self: don't trust self-diagnosis. If your gut tells you to call an ambulance, DO SO!
Saturday morning 8/16/08: Hubby took six kids to the park so I could try and sleep. Slept one hour and woke up with the pain even worse. Crying, I called my doc and he said to get to the ER immediately. Called a sitter to come keep six eldest kids. Hubby, six week old baby and I headed to the ER.
ER ran tests and determined pancreatitis and multiple gall stones. When a stone gets in the pancreas it normally passes on through. But if it doesn't pass through, the pancreas begins to "eat itself" which is potentially life-threatening. Doc said they lose two women per year to this. Gall bladder surgery scheduled for Sunday and I was hooked up to an IV overnight. Not allowed water, food, or even ice chips in prep for surgery.
Teen sitter spent the night with our kids. My mom drove 9 hours through the night and arrived around 2am Sunday morning to stay with baby and me in the hospital. Hubby went home so sitter could leave.
Sunday morning 8/17/08: Battling nurses, docs, and anesthesiologists about continuing to breastfeed after given anesthesia and antibiotics (even waging war minutes before the operation). Surgery successful but told I would need to stay the night for a "second procedure". A gall stone was blocking my liver and a G.I. doc would go in by scope Monday night to remove it via a scope down my throat. Battle over breastfeeding continues with every doc, nurse, and tech I come into contact with. I call the hospital's lactation department for help.
Monday 8/18/08: Allowed no food, water, or ice chips prior to procedure. Gall stone removed but a small cut made to the bile duct. No ibuprofen allowed for 10 days due to possible bleeding. Taken off morphine and given Darvoset. Pain sets in and blood pressure rises. A float nurse (one not usually on the surgical floor) makes me uneasy as she seems full of anger and bitterness at life. Angry nurse rips off my steri-strips (though I did not realize this until Thursday morning when I removed the gauze bandage) which are meant to be holding the biggest incision together. Pain gets worse, blood pressure rises more. I call the nurse manager and tell her I want a different nurse which she immediately arranges. Nurse Manager is very attentive throughout the rest of my stay.
Lactation representative comes and wields the sword of Current Information, writes details in my chart and nurses back off on the breastfeeding battle. Yes, it is safe to breastfeed after sedatives, pain killers, and most antibiotics!
Tuesday 8/19/08: Prepare to go home. Though nurses and docs don't bring it up, I notice my blood pressure is very high. They say that could be normal with IVs. Once home feeling dizzy, weak, and having the same horrible chest pain (that felt like heartburn) that I had had ever since surgery without relief.
Wednesday morning 8/20/08: Woke up at home barely able to walk due to dizziness, lightheadedness and still had chest pain. Called doc and while waiting for his return call (said to go to the ER) we went to CVS to measure blood pressure and it was very high. Got home, prepared to go to ER and almost collapsed. Called ambulance. BP was 180/120 as they loaded me into the bus. My mom and baby followed ambulance to the hospital.
Multiple tests were run in the ER to rule out heart attack, blood clots, and more. Diagnosis: DEHYDRATION, Heartburn/Reflux, and high blood pressure. Pumped full of IV fluids and blood pressure medications (which only made it go UP instead of down). Given a "GI cocktail" and antacids via IV and got first chest pain relief since the surgery on Sunday. After 10 hours, doc decided the blood pressure problem was "situational" and I just needed to go home to rest and relax for it to go down.
But the pitter-patter of little feet on the hardwood floors do not make for a very restful or relaxing place to nap well. Slept at home overnight but booked a suite in a hotel 10 minutes from the house for the weekend. My aunt would stay with baby and me for two nights and my friend of 30 years (we met in preschool) would stay one night.
Thursday 8/21/08: Changed gauze on bandage and realized Angry Nurse had ripped off the steri-strips. Emotionally overwhelmed thinking how much extra pain I had been in because of her wrongdoing. Had six week postpartum checkup at OB and they gave me steri-strips which provided some immediate relief. High blood pressure upsets OB nurse practitioner who tells me to call for more pain meds and to go to my General Practitioner.
We believe that if I can just get out of pain and get to the hotel to rest the blood pressure will go down. Call for pain meds. Surgeon's office say he will be in the next day. I ask to page him. They refuse. We settle in to the hotel.
Friday 8/22/08: Call surgeon's office and they say I need to come in to see him if I'm in that much pain. We get there and he does not listen to anything I have to say. He snorts "I don't do blood pressure!" and tells me to take Ibuprofen. I can't take Ibuprofen due to risk of bleeding from my bile duct being cut. He tells me to take Tylenol but that does nothing for this kind of pain for me. He snaps "You must have zero pain tolerance. You just need to get over that!" and leaves the room with me doubled over in pain and crying hysterically "but what about my blood pressure? If I'm not in pain I think it will go down!" He comes in and yells "Here. I'll give you Percocet." But I tell him Percocet makes me bounce off the walls (I cannot sleep when I take it!). He snaps "Then what do you want?" and I remember a pharmacist friend once said I might be able to handle Tylenol 3 better than Percocet, so he writes a 3 day supply and I cry all the way out of his office to the car. The entire visit was less than 10 minutes. He seemed to have no concern for me as a person or for any complications I was going through. The incision looked fine and I suspect that's all that mattered to him.
After leaving the surgeon's office, I went for a checkup to the GI doc (who is incredibly kind). He prescribes NEXIUM for the heartburn pain. We fill the prescriptions and head back to the hotel and try to rest.
Saturday 8/23/08: Woke up pain-free (from both the incision and heartburn pains) for the first time in over a week and blood pressure had begun to go down. Enjoyed talking with aunt and friend while emotionally processing all that had been happening. Watched lots of TLC reality-type shows (good thing we don't have cable as I'd waste way too much time!) and enjoyed mini-vacation. :o)
Sunday 8/24/08: Blood pressure back to NORMAL, feeling rested, headed home to see my family. Hubby had the house tidy, laundry all washed, and everyone was happy to be together again.
This week I am slowly resuming normal duties, though taking it very easy. Homeschooled teens from church are coming for a couple of hours each day to play with the kids while I rest. We are all so thankful for God's grace in keeping baby and me safe throughout the hospital stay, the procedures, drugs, and germs. Baby was a sweetheart, sleeping well and smiling more each day this past week.
CONTEST AND PRIZE TIME! If anyone has read this far, you deserve a prize. CONTEST QUESTION: What 80's movie is the title of this post a line from? The first person to email or post a comment with the correct answer will win a "fabulous" prize (it might be either a really good theological book or a brand new Mary Kay cosmetics item). Any other 80's movie fans out there? Here's your chance to win!
I am 38 weeks and 4 days pregnant with baby number seven and seven of the past ten nights have been full of regular, very uncomfortable contractions that keep me from sleeping. But I am not in "true labor" as they do not get closer together or more painful, and they eventually stop altogether for a while. Each night that I wake up with these so-called "false contractions" I am certain I am in early labor. So I get up, get the last-minute items in my labor bag, and get dressed. Then I watch a movie and time contractions for a few hours, with sporadic attempts at going back to bed but to no avail because the contractions wake me up.
It's VERY strange that after all this I am only 2 cm dilated. It's tiring to not have had a solid night's sleep in many days. We're trying to be thankful for each day we have to get more projects done before the baby arrives. If only I had the energy to work on them!
When we were pregnant with our first child some good friends told us that they chose not to vaccinate their children. Choose not to vaccinate? We thought they were CRAZY. And then we started researching the issue.
We have found the info at the National Vaccine Information Center (www.NVIC.org) helpful and I just saw a YouTube video of a new documentary that looks very interesting: Vaccine Nation Documentary
We often refer to Dr. Robert Mendelsohn's (a pediatrician who is anti-vaccines) book "How to Raise a Healthy Child In Spite of Your Doctor". With six children ages 8 and under, it amazes us that we have never needed to give an antibiotic to our children. Per doc's orders, we take them to the doctor if they have a fever that lasts three days, but the doctors have never diagnosed one ear infection, UTI, or anything other than a virus that just needs to be waited out rather than treated with antibiotics. We have dealt with rotavirus once, the flu once, and pinkeye recently (one child did have antibiotic drops for that...so I guess we have had an antibiotic once in eight years). A dentist once prescribed a preventative antibiotic when our son knocked his front teeth into his gums, but our pediatrician actually told us not to fill it if it was merely for preventative reasons.
We're definitely not opposed to traditional medicine, nor are we opposed to alternative methods. Chiropractic care has been invaluable to me especially in pregnancy and currently our 16 month old is being treated by a chiropractor for a foot than turns in when he walks.
We are very thankful for our healthy children, for traditional medicine, and for informative sites and doctors that dare to go against the mainstream, too.
We had a scary day. Right after breakfast our 16 month old got into the trash can and my husband took the trash away from him, told him NO and took him in to the bathroom to wash his hands. Our son got mad and cried for a few seconds and then his whole body stiffened and he started having what looked like a seizure. He lost his color, his head went back and stiffened, he didn't seem to be breathing, and we could not pry his mouth open to see if he was choking because his teeth were clenched shut.
During all this we didn't know if he was choking, seizing, breathing, or what. I was on the phone with 911, hubby was trying everything they told us to, and our son was completely unresponsive (eyes closed) and seemed to be turning blue. Finally he started crying again. The paramedics arrived and he was "post seizure"...lethargic and unable to focus on anything with his eyes glazed over. But he started coming back to normal. I called our pediatrician and they wanted him checked out so I took him to the Children's ER at the hospital.
The doc there was completely convinced that he held his breath due to being mad and that the lack of oxygen to his brain caused him to have that reaction. She said some kids who do this pass out limp and others can have involuntary jerking movements that look like a seizure. If it happens again she said the thing to do is lay them on their sides (if on their backs then their tongues could stop their breathing) until they come to. Also, she said to never put anything into their mouths during a seizure.
Until he started crying again, my husband and I both believed our son was about to die. It all happened within a few minutes but it felt like ages. I keep having flashbacks of how he looked during the scariest time. On a good note, the paramedics arrived in record time and were super nice. They told us to call them anytime we need them because "that's what they are there for."
We are very thankful we were both home when this happened. When it started the oldest five kids were quickly told to stay upstairs and stay quiet while the "firemen come to help" and they were so good to do so! This was yet another strong reminder that we do not know how long we will have our children with us and that God is in control of all things.
We are expecting baby number seven to arrive mid-July 2008! For the previous six births, I've had a c-section, followed by four VBACS, followed by an emergency c-section. I've found a doctor who is willing to let me try for another VBAC even though I've had two c-sections. Recovery is just so much easier after a VBAC! It took six long, painful weeks to recover from the last c-section.
We are excited about this new Covenant child joining our family and the Church. The boys want a boy and the girls want a girl simply because they each want to be the first to have bunkbeds. There are really very few preparations necessary for "number seven". We just need to add the last row bench seat back into our 15 passenger van and we're ready to go. :o)
Our family dinnertime rule could be "eat your food and drink your Benadryl." Our children have many food allergies and seem to be developing new ones every month. How much Children's Benadryl do you give a 2, 3, 4, or 5 year old? Our allergist said to give them each one teaspoon (or one chewable tablet) for an allergic reaction but if the reaction is severe we are to give them two teaspoons.
With our two year old (if the reaction is pretty mild) we usually only give 1/2 teaspoon or 1/2 tablet. The chewable tablets are great for easy transport and the quick dissolve strips are even better for an easy fit in my husband's wallet. The downside is they can be very difficult to break into when you're in a hurry.
I just discovered that the Children's Benadryl Fastmelts contain soy and milk! Some dairy and soy allergic children have gotten worse rather than better taking the Fastmelts.
It's also true that Benadryl can knock some children out and make others hyper. My oldest daughter will fall asleep wherever she is when she has some and the older boys don't even slow down.
Our allergist did not agree with the paramedic saying it was just a "localized reaction". Our allergist said that my son's reaction WAS an anaphylactic reaction.
He told us to ALWAYS give the epi-shot if a child is having trouble breathing. "Nine times out of ten" this should take care of the reaction but they should go to the hospital to be safe. And if the first shot doesn't take care of the situation? He said to give another one! And how much Benadryl does he recommend? For a serious reaction he said to start with two teaspoons. Any more than that would not be beneficial.
In case you are ever around someone and need to give them an epi-shot we have been told that the epi-pen is NOT a "cure-all" in the case of true anaphylaxis and that it "ONLY buys you about 15 minutes of time" until the paramedics arrive. If an epi-pen is ever given the person MUST GO TO THE HOSPITAL or be under paramedic care within a few minutes. The epinephrine could hold off (and mask) the anaphylaxis symptoms for a few minutes but if you are not under medical care when the first dose wears off the person could die.
For our friends and family to know in case of a reaction when they are caring for our children:
We always first give liquid Benadryl and watch to see if that takes care of the reaction. But if the child is turning blue or not able to breathe well, immediately give the epi-pen and call 911.
If in doubt, always always always CALL 911. Both times we've had to call, the paramedics have assured me that "that is what they are there for" and that I should never hesitate to call them if I am concerned.
INFORMATION FOR ANY EMERGENCY SITUATION:
It is amazing how difficult it is to remember simple details when in the middle of an emergency. The first time this happened to me I forgot "9-1-1" and dialed "9-9-1!" I now have that written down (sounds silly, I know) as well as my doctor's phone number and at least three emergency phone numbers for neighbors/friends/family. They ask your address (write it down for babysitters!) and the paramedics wanted to know my child's weight.
One Step Ahead online (www.onestepahead.com) has a magnetic dry-erase Babysitter's Information Station for the fridge which has places to put emergency contact numbers as well as your address and the names, ages, weight, and allergies of each child. I highly recommend it for help for your babysitters and also for yourself!
My three year old took his first sip of goat's milk yesterday and ended up in the hospital. He is allergic to eggs and cow's milk (as well as several other foods) and now we know he is also highly allergic to goat's milk.
After he took one sip he said "Mmm that's good" and ran off to play. He immediately came running back screaming that his "mouth was burning." I gave him Benadryl and then he started coughing, saying his ears and stomach hurt, and he headed upstairs because he wanted to "go to his bed." He immediately came running back down the stairs screaming that his "mouth is burning!" He then laid down on the floor crying. I called my husband at work and he said he would head home.
My son closed his eyes (while lying on the floor) and would not open them to look at me. I was trying to get him to talk to me and he wouldn't except once after I yelled for him to talk to me he screamed "Mom, you're scaring me!" He then wouldn't say anything else. I called his allergist and they told me to call 911.
When I called 9-1-1, I got a recording that said "all circuits are busy now" over and over. Incredulous, I just kept the phone to my ear and someone did come on the line and said they would send an ambulance.
My two youngest children were in their cribs for naptime and I told the three oldest that the firemen were coming into the house and I needed them to stay in the room upstairs and watch cartoons. In between all the running around I was calling everyone I could think of to come babysit and no one was answering the phone. Finally one of our babysitters answered and said she was on her way but then remembered she was without a car and couldn't come. Thankfully, during this entire event all five other children stayed upstairs and stayed completely quiet. What a miraculous blessing!
A few minutes later the paramedics came rushing into our house and at this point my son was unresponsive and struggling to breathe (very shallow breathing). They carried his limp body out to the ambulance. He did not even open his eyes during all of this. They put oxygen on him, gave him a shot of epinephrine and started an IV. He screamed during the shot (a very good sign) and immediately started breathing perfectly. They assured me that he was okay but said he needed to go to the hospital for observation by the doctors.
A neighbor's daughter (whom I had never met) walked down the street and said she would keep my children for me, which was so kind! But they all have food allergies, had never met her before, and it was time for me to nurse the baby. I was so torn about my son going alone to the hospital and not knowing how to manage taking care of all the other children while there, too. My husband was 20 minutes away. I asked if the baby and I could ride in the ambulance while the neighbor kept the others and they did not want to do that because they said there would be carseat regulations and they would have to set one up. I told the paramedics that I was going to nurse the baby and gather up all five kids and follow them to the hospital. One of them worked very hard to calm me down and convince me that it would be best for me to stay home with the kids and let my husband go straight to the hospital to be with our son as he was not far behind them. Looking back we are very thankful for that decision but at the time I was uncomfortable with every option before me!
So! My three year old was taken via ambulance to the hospital without a parent or anyone he knew with him. When my husband walked into the emergency holding room, my son was wrapped up in bedsheets in a hosptial bed and was peering out from the covers. At first he didn't notice my husband walking into the room but then he saw him and said "I'm at the HOSPITAL, DAD!" and the nurse said that was the first time he had spoken since he had arrived. The docs said he was fine, sent him home with a 24 hour prescription antihistamine, and he walked into our house bubbling with excitement (along with a literal shot of adrenaline!) over his adventure.
The entire event only lasted a little over two hours, but my legs were still shaking until bedtime. This trial had me facing two of my biggest food allergy fears: an epinephrine shot being necessary for one of my kids, and the dilemma of one child needing to go to the hospital and not being able to find a sitter for the other five. We made it through and can testify with certainty that the Lord is good and He cares for us!
I have heard that varicose veins are common in pregnancy but never experienced them until now--my sixth pregnancy. OUCH! "Mama Spanx" at www.spanx.com help relieve much of the pain. Any other mammas out there who can share things that helped you deal with this? And do they really go away after delivery? Feel free to email if you'd rather not post a comment. Thank you!
To save money and time, we give our boys haircuts with the Remington HKVAC-2000 Precision Vacuum Haircut Kit.
My husband also cuts his own hair with this vacuum hair trimmer. The trimmer collects the hair in the "vacuum" compartment so there is very little to clean up afterwards compared to a regular hair trimmer. We have found it is definitely worth the $26.99 and can be found at amazon.com.
I love to find thingsthat make life easier and love to save money, too!
My faith teaches me that the calling of Christian homemaker, wife, or mother is just as holy as one to "full-time ministry."
I am a mom of seven children ages eight and under seeking and sharing helpful tidbits learned during this season of life. May we glorify and enjoy Him each day!
:o),
Moms4Psalms
I love to find things that make life easier and love to save money, too!
