Three Years Ago Today...

January 9, 2005
I woke up this morning at 3:30 with an excruciating headache. I had J get me some Tylenol and the blood pressure cuff. It was a little higher than it’s been lately but not as high as it was when I was admitted to the hospital a few days ago. I was so uncomfortable with my head, plus I had what felt like horrible indigestion. I shouldn’t have eaten Outback. But, I couldn’t hold still. I hurt too badly. I tried to wait an hour like I was supposed to before checking my BP again but I couldn’t wait longer than 45 minutes. We took it again and it was still high so I called L&D. They told me to come in.

Jason and I got up and packed a little. We were completely unprepared and had to use all the hospital issued stuff (toiletries) last time. He asked if he should bring the camera. I was glad he thought of that. I hated to admit it, but yeah, I told him he should bring the camera just in case. He had to empty Blitz’s litter box too before we could leave. I was in agony and SO annoyed that I had to wait for that. The drive to the hospital was hard. I was just hurting so much. Plus, it took, like 25 minutes to get there.

We arrived at, like, 5:30 and Heather, a nurse pal, ushered us into room 329. They had me change into a hospital gown this time. Last time I stayed in my own clothes. I got strapped up to all the monitors as usual. I was still hurting really badly: my head and my indigestion. Mako was the doctor on call and she ordered me some Fentanyl as the Tylenol I had taken early wasn’t even TOUCHING the pain. They drew a bunch of blood work to send to the lab to check my liver function, mostly. Because of how much pain I was in, my blood pressure, and how poorly I seemed to be doing Mako ordered the nurses to start Mag (Magnesium Sulfate) to keep me from seizing. She didn’t even have the lab work back yet but made the decision anyway.

They started an IV to give me the Fentanyl and Mag. Luckily the Fentanyl started taking effect rather quickly. A different nurse came in to take over my care. She had to put in a catheter. Once they put you on Mag for seizure precautions you’re not allowed to get up anymore, even to the bathroom. It was so surreal being the “patient” this time. I had seen so many others go through this but never really imagined what it would be like.

Mako came back in before too long and told me she had gotten my lab results back. My pre-eclampsia was too bad and on the way to HELLP syndrome (meaning my liver was involved in a bad way...that would explain the pain I thought was indigestion). The only cure is delivery. To keep me from getting any sicker I need to have the baby out today. Mako explained how since it’s so early in the pregnancy, my cervix isn’t really ready for a vaginal delivery. Plus, I’m not doing too hot and likely wouldn’t make it through what would be a long induction of labor so she recommends a C-section. We are going to be parents today! It hasn’t sunk in quite yet just what is in store for us. I don’t really even think about how it going to affect the baby at this point. The Fentanyl is preventing me from being too reasonable. Jason knows to call everyone, thank goodness. Before I know it I was wheeling past my hospital pals into the O.R.

I am 33 weeks and 1 day pregnant.

Clearly this was written a bit after the fact (a few months later, I believe). I was not scribbling in our pregnancy journal, drugged, while they shaved and prepped me. :)

Oh...and that above layout is totally scraplifted from someone, but it's been so long of course I don't remember who. :( I'm so bad.

Happy 3rd to Easton!!!