The BIG NEWS... and Bigger Surprises!

So the big reason for starting this blog is to announce our BIG NEWS!  Brad and I are going to be PARENTS!  We are so excited about the prospect of parenthood. Things are going to be changing for us and there is so much to look forward to. Today I am officially 10 weeks along and 1/4 of the way to holding that precious newborn in my arms.

As exciting as the BIG NEWS is, we have had some even BIGGER SURPRISES on our journey to parenthood so far. On February 18th I started to feel quite ill and considered it must just be morning sickness due to the little addition growing inside me.  But it took a mere 48 hours to realize this sickness was more intense than the average pregnancy.  After missing a few days of work and some coaxing from my loving husband I went to the walk-in clinic on the University of Saskatchewan campus. There the doctor who saw me said things weren't completely unusual for pregnancy and if things got worse to make sure I went to the hospital because dehydration was a possible consequence.  Otherwise I should just rest and be careful about what I eat.  We headed home from the doctor thinking this would pass with time but by 11pm on February 22nd Brad decided it was time to take me to the Emergency Room because I had not kept any food or water down for over 72 hours.  When we arrived at the hospital it was clear to the doctor I was indeed very dehydrated and so I was set up in a small room with an IV to rehydrate me.  My amazing husband sat next to the bed all through the night as bag after bag of IV fluid was added.  By 8 am I was discharged with the direction to return if things did not get better in the next couple days.  Friday February 25th was the next trip to the Emergency Room as all my dehydration symptoms had returned. This time I was rehydrated and admitted to the Maternity Ward of the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon. 

During this 2 WEEK stay in hospital I was tested for Thyroid issues (as it can be a reason for the extreme nausea and vomitting) but was told everything was fine for that.  The other percieved cause of this extreme illness was the fact that I could be carrying multiple babies. So an ultrasound was scheduled for Sunday February 27th to check out the little baby or babies growing inside.  That was a SILVER LINING for Brad and I.  Our first ultrasound was a very SPECIAL EXPERIENCE, getting to hear the heartbeat (not heartbeats) of our baby (not babies). To see first hand the life that had begun was in and of itself the first MIRACLE of my stay in the hospital.  Over the 14 days in hospital I experienced highs and lows on a daily basis.  The blessings of patient and kind nurses made my seemingly endless nights tolerable, but tiring days did not mean I would sleep at night. On an average night I would become GRATEFUL for an hour long nap. 

During this first stay in the hospital I was supported by many friends and family members; near and far. Our WONDERFUL ward FAMILY became our main source of support as many people came to visit me in the hospital and help make sure Brad was taken care of too, while he worked through one of the BUSIEST times of his school semester. On Friday March 4th one of the biggest BLESSINGS was a visit from my mom and dad who travelled to Saskatoon for the weekend. Sometimes a girl just needs to have her parents. It was so nice to have them at the hospital to distract me while Brad was busy studying for exams and completing major school assignments. 

On Saturday March 12th I was released from the hospital to go home.  The on-call doctor who discharged me was one I had never met before and I think was in a hurry to give the bed to another patient.  I was still not keeping any food or liquid down.  I proceeded to return home where my LOVING husband cared for me between University classes for four days before I realized I needed to head back to the Emergency Room.  On Wednesday March 16th a call was placed to have someone take me to the hospital because Brad was still in school.  Uncle Andrew and Aunt Angie did not hesitate to come immediately to pick me up.  Thier love and support has been an important part of my dealing with this sickness.

By Friday March 18th it had been 1 MONTH since the inability to digest food or water had begun.  The nutritional specialist came to see me to discuss nourishment options.  By this point I had lost nearly 20 pounds during pregnancy.  It was decided to try a nasal feeding tube which would be directed into my stomach. That night a resident doctor came to attempt to insert the feeding tube... it was not a very fun experience. Aunt Angie stayed with me and coached me through the procedure. She was AWESOME! Her encouragement gave me the strength to try my best with the idea of tube being put up my nose. But, I started choking on the tube and coughing shortly after they started the procedure which meant they had to pull the tube out because my airway was opening up too much and they didn't want the tube to be misdirected into my lungs.  So they decided to try a second attempt in the morning.  The second attempt was better because I had prepared myself mentally to accomplish the task ahead.  I had thought about good breathing and swallowing techniques all night, but to no avail. The feeding tube decided to curl up in the back of my throat and so again it had to be removed. Frustrated and emotionally exhausted the surgeon told me they had one more thing to try with the tube.  They froze the tube so that as it was being inserted it would go directly where it should go and not curl itself up.  Deeply concentrating on my swallowing rhythm I drank two containers of orange juice as they quickly slipped the tube through my nostril and down my throat. Hooray!  It worked... or so we thought. Not long after the feeding tube was in place it was apparent it may not be staying.  I began gagging on the tube due to my over-active gag reflex.  After 20 minutes of trying to get used to the tube the surgeon decided it was time to remove the tube a third time.  The feeding tube had FAILED!

And so the journey continues to find a way to feed me and the baby.  It has been over 48 hours since the last feeding tube attempt and I have yet to keep any food or drink down.  I am dealing with constant nausea and persistant vomitting.  I am supposed to be meeting with the nutrition specialist some time soon to discuss the next options.

I want everyone who has been supporting us through this very difficult time to know that we appreciate all the thoughts, VISITS, LOVE and especially the PRAYERS. Please keep them going to heaven on our behalf!