The Elephant Stomp to Wheelie Jaunts

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Oh what a whirlwind has surrounded me as of late. The day after I wrote my last post in October my life went into turbo drive. The morning after my post my feet swelled to uncomfortable proportions. I entitled this the elephant stomp because that is what I felt like walking. Barely could I lift my feet off the ground and no longer did I have ankles. My feet were connected to my calves. No indent for an ankle. Now when you're pregnant a little swelling especially in the final trimester is pretty common. Feet that swell five times their normal size with no reduction at night (after sleeping with feet up) not a common occurrence. I ran late to work as I wobbled on my bubble feet, as each stomping step caused discomfort, and I could not find any shoes that would fit my feet. I ended up using flip flops in late October as they were the only things that I could slip on (and even they left an indentation on my feet). I arrived at work in pain as my feet continued to swell (yes they got even bigger) and I believe I was out of skin. I called my doctor to just ask if there was an opening for an appointment. No they were booked, no big deal, I am probably just being an over paranoid first time pregnant lady. And as I hobbled back to my cubicle I decided that even if I was being paranoid I should chat with a nurse. So I called back the doctor's office (I NEVER DO THIS!)No opening = no appointment and definitely no pestering. I chatted with the nurse and we agreed maybe I should stop by as soon as possible. I arrived at the doctor's and stepped on the scale. I had gained eleven pounds in two weeks, not a good sign. (and trust me that was not after enjoying three pizzas a day). Next strike my blood pressure was in the mid nineties as my BOTTOM number...oh that's not good. And my swelling could be pressed leaving an indent still after trying to put up my feet for four hours.....And we're out. I was put on bed rest immediately and for the remainder of my pregnancy (I was only twenty seven weeks along!!!) with the promise to be back in to check my progress in less than four days. I hobbled/stomped my wait out of the doctor's office to begin my mending as quickly as possible (after sharing the news with my family and work). I arrived for my quickie appointment to check my vitals and my doctor sat down. I gulped. This was too be just a nurse appointment to jot down my stats. So seeing a doctor at all was not a good sign. My doctor informed me that I was about to like her even less. (I had gained five pounds in four days...and blood pressure slight rise which means bed rest wasn't helping). I was to be admitted into the hospital overnight starting immediately. What?!?!?!? I have never even had stitches let alone a night over in the hospital. Oh this was not good at all!!!! How does one pack for an undetermined stay in the hospital? My doctor gave me false cheer that it might be for just a couple days. I think she understood my fear and figured this was the easiest way to lure me at least to the hospital. My other doctors' opinions did not agree that it was a short two maybe three night stay. I was admitted to the high risk floor (which should have been a clue that I would be in the hospital for awhile). I learned a few things quickly about myself. I do not like be to be limited (to bed, restricted diet, and that I am not nearly as much of a hermit as I once believed.) Also I am a horrible stick for IVs. Didn't know, because I had never had one. Only once out of six "attempts" was I able to get a sturdy IV on the first try. As I was on strict bed rest I was not able to leave my room without doctor orders and then transport was arranged when needed. This is when I got to travel by wheel chair for my daily ultra sounds to check on our baby boy and make sure he was thriving. After being admitted to the hospital it was confirmed that I had severe pre-eclampsia which is why I and my son required the daily check. My medical team was trying everything possible to keep my son in the womb for as long as possible as long as we were both healthy. Upon my first ultra sound it looked like we would deliver within as little as three days, hoping to get use of the steroids. My husband and I were on board for whatever we could do to delay our son's arrival. We have witnessed and been close to several families who were blessed with early miracles and realized and appreciated the significance of every day that we could delay his arrival. But if I am being honest I was getting antsy for his arrival as I was going stir crazy in my little hospital room. My days in the hospital started with a weighing, makes you just want to jump out of bed, right? (Although I did lose most of my pregnancy weight as I lost twenty-three pounds in nine days with very little movement, as you can tell I was carrying a LOT of water weight!) I then would order my breakfast but couldn't eat until I after my ultra-sound in case this would be the day I would have to deliver. I would wait for transport and then travel down the halls on my wheelie jaunts (the only time I left my hospital room except for one pre-approved wheelchair walk with my hubby on my eighth day in the hospital - I felt like the little piggy who squealed Wee Wee all the way home!) would have the ultra-sound check and then would go back to my room and finally get to eat breakfast. Then hang out in my room the rest of the day and have my stats checked every four hours (with quite a few visitors = thank you to all those who helped quicken the minutes). Then at midnight I would be cut off from all liquids and foods as I might be going into surgery the next morning I did this for nine days. By the ninth day I was ready to stage a coup. I was going home and was ready to fight the doctors as I felt my sanity was on the brink of major decline. However the doctors had other plans as I was informed that this would be the day the world would be meeting my son. I'll catch you up on his arrival and the journey aftermath that includes a happy ending. I am finally starting to feel as if I am just beginning to Fully Understand Life by Living. May 2011 challenge you and bless you. 'Til we meet again. . .