Friday, January 27, 2012

Prayer Request

Sorry in advance for the long post- lots has happened! 

I know I've said this several times, but wow, what a difference a week and a half can make.  Doesn't the verse say, "For my thoughts are not your thoughs, nor my ways your ways."  (Isaiah 55:8)?  I am not even sure where to begin!  I left off my last blog entry thinking I'd repost with news from what was supposed to be Wednesday's appointment with the high risk doctor in Memphis.  Little did I know I would have just gotten home from the hospital and am now subject to the bed.  Again, God had different plans than my little OCD mind had, and through His grace, He's given me enough strength to get through these past few days.

On Sunday night, Andy and I decided against going to our church's Fellowship Group because I just wasn't feeling very well.  I got into bed early, as usual, and Andy wasn't far behind me.  I honestly hadn't been feeling up to par that whole day, but I kept pressing on, just thinking I was feeling normal.  I had realized earlier when I was trying to take my normal Sunday afternoon nap that I couldn't sleep.  I was just hurting, and I felt as if the babies had just moved down.  I don't really sleep at night, but it is weird when I don't sleep on Sunday afternoons.  It's almost God's way of reminding me that Sundays really are a day of rest.  Finally when the clock struck 9:30, and I was not asleep and still hurting, what else did I do but call my mama?  Doesn't Mama know best?  After talking to her, we decided that it would be best to call my doctor.  After all, we aren't doctors at all, although since all of this, I feel that we may be a few years short of  medical degrees.  Docotor Smith, here in Oxford, had thankfully given me his cell phone number last week, so Andy called him.  He told us to get to the hospital immediately, and he was calling the labor and delivery floor to let them know we were on our way.  Andy and I literally stormed out of the house with the clothes on our backs and our insurance cards.  Based on our previous ER experiences, I honestly thought we'd make it home around 5 a.m. since we had gotten there at 10:30 p.m.  Again, little did I know!  After getting attached to dopplers and actually hearing their precious little heartbeats- the most wonderful noise in the world- they hooked me up to the contraction monitor, which did, in fact, prove that the pain I was feeling was contractions.  And, man, do they hurt!  I had never expected to feel them since they have told me from the beginning that I will be having a c-section.  Again, little did I know.  The nurses called my doctor who informed them that I would for sure be staying the night in the hospital.  We were in the Labor and Delivery part, so it was very nice, but when you're hurting like I was, who cares if you're in the Ritz Carlton?  I continued to contract throughout the night, and the next morning, my doctor, Doctor Smith, decided to monitor me again all day long and put me on Procardia, a medicine to stop contractions and progesterone shots.  I ended up staying in the L & D suite Sunday and Monday nights and got moved to a room on Tuesday morning.  I do have to mention what a trooper Andy was during this whole episode.  Not only did he sleep on a couch that felt like cardboard, he also did other things that probably shouldn't be mentioned on here.  He was a real trooper.  Of course, my mama came up.  When I'm hurting, I want my mama.  She was also a real trooper as well.  I honestly couldn't have done any of this without them.  They were at my beck and call.  On Wednesday morning, glorious Wednesday morning, they let me come HOME!  I was so excited about taking a real bath that I didn't know what my name was!  Sponge baths are for the birds.

So, now, we're home, and I'm on permanent bedrest with bathroom and (thankfully!) shower privileges!  I'm not going to lie- it hasn't been the easiest few days. I am an extremely busy body, and I like to clean and straighten and just move and go in general, and I'm not allowed to do any of that- at all.  It's funny though because I honestly don't want to move from the bed (right now- on day 5).  Andy and I have prayed that God would give me a sense of patience and peace, and once again, God has granted it.  I don't have much energy, so getting up and doing anything- like washing my face- makes me feel bad.  And, in the long run, what is a few weeks or months in bed to get these babies here safely?  I am willing to sacrifice anything for these precious miracles, just like Jesus did for me.  Staying in bed really isn't a sacrifice at all compared to what He's done for us.  Andy and I are like clay being molded and formed into what God wants us to be.  We're learning to trust Him like never before, and it's not always easy- but He knows best.  Walking by faith has never been so real.  It's a daily thing.  I don't know what the next minute will hold, much less the next day or week or month.  I guess I've always been such an extreme planner that I've always thought that I knew what was going to happen.  It's just funny that it took these three miracles to really teach me that I'm not at all in control.  He is, and I'm thankful for that.  God works in mysterious ways. 
Now, am I worried about getting the nursery that I've dreamed about since I was able to dream completed?  Of course, but I have a God who created the world, so creating a nursery to him is no biggie.  God has provided so many wonderful friends who have shared their gifts with us whether it be cooking or just an errand runner- or even a visitor.  God has provided, so why worry about a nursery or dirty floors?  However, we do have a fabulous church family who is feeding us and cleaning our house!  What an example of the body of Christ!

Please continue to flood the throne on our behalf!  We still need prayers every day- every second!  I go back to the doctor in Memphis on Monday at 1, where they will measure the babies- who have hopefully grown!  Please pray that they are growing at the same rate.  Please pray that the other cyst on A's sweet brain will disappear.  On Wednesday at 10, I go back to Doctor Smith, here in Oxford, where I will get a huge Progesterone shot that is supposed to stop contractions as well.  (I'll be getting this weekly).  It's like syrup going into my body, and saying it hurts is an understatement.  Also, each day, I'm giving myself blood thinner shots in order to prevent blood clots since I'm lying around all day.  They hurt as well.  Please pray I don't throw up while doing so.  Please pray for the doctors that are taking care of me- for their decision making skills.  Please thank God that I do love my doctors- that I love how they can calm this neurotic, hard-headed person.  I'm so thankful they're smart.  Please pray that these babies would stay in for at least 30 weeks.  We'd love longer!  I hate to even type this but, please pray that Andy and I wouldn't have to make any hard decisions, and if so for guidance from above if we do.  Please pray for patience for both of us and for wisdom that can only come from Him and for a peace that passes all understanding and for trusting hearts. Please pray that He would be our everlasting strength.  Above all, please pray that God would get all the glory.  After all, these are His babies.

Isaiah 26:3-4

"He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in Him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord! Trust in the Lord always, for in the Lord, Jehovah, is your everlasting strength."

Praise God from Whom ALL blessings flow-

Maggie

(I'll try and update this more regularly now that I'm just lying here in bed!)






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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Praise/ Pray!

Sorry it has taken me a while to update the blog!  In the three weeks since I have updated, God has been so gracious to us, which once again proves Who is in total control of these precious miracles- and always has been! 

After getting the news of the 2 cysts on Baby A's brain and googling everything possible (which I totally recommend AGAINST), I composed myself enough to make it through yet another three appointments!  (I now go to the doctor weekly- to my regular OB here in Oxford one week and to the high-risk doctor in Memphis the next).  As soon as I got home after hearing about the cysts, I immediatley called my doctor here in Oxford, Dr. Smith, who calmed down my neurotic nerves.  He relayed the information to me again in stupid people terms.  Dr. Smith assured me that he saw these cysts every 2-3 months, and that most of the time they disappeared.  He literally probably confirmed his preconceived notions about this nutcase of a pregnant person after our conversation.  Our first appointment after finding out about the cysts was January 3rd, here in Oxford.  I tell you the dates so you will see how awesome our God is.  (The day we found out about the cysts was December 28th).  On January 3rd, the cysts were still there- both of them, but the babies were doing perfectly.  They were squirming around everywhere!  As always, it was/is amazing to see them.  The next week, on January 11th, we had our visit with the high risk doctor in Memphis.  By God's sweet grace, and only by that, one of the cysts had DISAPPEARED- in 15 days!  Andy and I are so thankful.  I had tears in my eyes.  If this child knew how many tears I've cried over her already- they're one loved bunch of babies!  However, we still do have one cyst that is still on her brain.  Please pray that it will disappear.

Yesterday, January 17th, was a regular OB visit.  The other cyst is still there, but Doctor Smith said she could be born with it and, hopefully, be fine.  If so, we would monitor it through ultrasounds, which sounds miserable to me.  I'm sure an ultrasound couldn't see through this thick, mushy brain of mine, but it could see a baby's brain.  We'll cross that bridge when it happens.  God willing, the other one will disappear, and she'll be smart as a whip.  All of the babies had grown FIVE OUNCES since December 28th!  They all weighed in at 13 ounces each!  Amazing!  A, as always, is ruling the roost.  She is kicking C in the head and B in the back.  Sweet B is, as always, chilled out.  He doesn't move much and always cooperates with whatever the ultrasound tech is trying to do/measure.  Sweet C had that thumb going yesterday as well.  It is the most precious thing ever.  He wants in every picture too.  He is a real mover.  I can feel C all the time!  It is so amazing to be able to feel them.  I don't ever want to take it for granted.  I'm not sleeping any more- at all- so at night, A and B get busy moving, and it's the most priceless, wonderful feeling I've ever felt.  C must be sleeping because he doesn't move as much at night.  I'll rub back, and sometimes, they kick even harder, just as if they're telling me hello.  I love it.  At my last Memphis appointment, my doctor told me that I was the size of what I'd be at 9 months with one child, and I assure you, I am one large bundle.  I guess I'll just get three times larger.  My stomach no longer has a belly button.  Every mole that was ever on my stomach is now two inches (at lest) larger because they're all so stretched.  My boobs are enormous, stretch marks and all.  But honestly, who cares?  I'm part of a miracle in the works, and it's amazing.  Every stretch mark is just a reminder of what God has done for us.  It is getting harder to just move in general, and I'm sure they'll put me to bed soon.  God has been good to let me work this long.  Andy really appreciates that!  Ha!  The pains are still in my chest, but I'm adjusting.  Tylenol Extra Strength doesn't work wonders, but it does work.  Again, these are all minor ailments that I can handle in order to get these babies here healthily. 

Lastly, thank you all so much for your prayers.  God is growing Andy and me spiritually, and, me, literally.  I honestly can't thank you enough.  He has had mercy on us time and time again, and we praise Him for it.  We couldn't have gotten through any of this without Him, and daily we realize our need- and our babies'~His babies'~ need for Him.  Please pray that God would continue to grow these sweet children spiritually, mentally, and physically.  Please pray that A's cyst would disappear.  Praise Him that we've made it this far (20 weeks, 5 days).  Praise Him that A's first cyst disappeared.  And above all, please pray that God would receive the glory for all of this. 

A sweet chaplain friend of mine at the hospital recently gave me this verse when I was having a rough day, and I love it.  It reminds me of how God has lead every step of the way with these babies.  I love picturing Him carrying them close to His heart.

Isaiah 40:11
 "He tends His flock like a shepherd;
  He gathers the lambs in His arms
  and carries them close to his heart;
  He gently leads those that have young."

All glory be to God~

Maggie

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Update/ Prayer Request

It's amazing what a week (or two) can bring!  Once again, we have seen these precious miracles!  These past two weeks have been a ride, and I've hesitated whether or not to write about them, but we need all of the prayer we can get, so I've decided to post. 

A few wekks ago, I began having chest pains.  They started the Sunday before Christmas and wouldn't quit.  They continued Monday, subsided on Tuesday, and continued again on Wednesday.  With Andy's encouragement, I decided to call my doctor in Oxford (who was out of town).  I ended up speaking to the doctor on call's nurse who told me she thought I had a pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs) and to get to the ER now.  What in the world???  Not at all what I wanted to hear- and especially not something you tell someone with the amount of hormones as this pregnant person in her body.  So, I then called my high risk doctor in Memphis, who then told me to get to the ER immediately.  Can you say basketcase???  By the time I made it down to the ER (I work at the hospital), I was totally and completely freaked out.  In fact, my blood presssure was 166/ 115.  A tad bit higher than my usual low 90/ 60.  I remember Andy busting in the doors like he owned the place.  Several hours later, after an ultrasound and CAT Scan, I was diagnosed with an infection in my lungs and extremely high white blood cell count.  The ultrasound, as usual, was a wonderful time for us to see the babies.  A and B were butting heads, while sweet C was sucking his thumb.  Praise God it wasn't a blood clot.  However, I am still having the pains, which since then, have been correctly diagnosed by my high risk doctor in Memphis as my liver and stomach have moved up to the right side of my chest, right under my right boob.  Talk about strange things happening during pregnancy...  Please pray for this issue. By God's grace, we've made it.

And only by his sweet grace have we made it.  Exactly one week later, we had an appointment in Memphis with the high risk doctor.  My mother and sister, Laura, and niece,Livie, went with me to see the sonogram.  It was a perfect time.  They were, as we always are, amazed by these three miracles inside of me.  Precious A was kicking B in the head and C in the back.  She is now not breech!  She continues to look like my daddy and nephew, and even my mother and sister saw the resemblance, so I promise it's not just me.  Chilled B literally had his feet crossed and hands resting on his head, completely not bothered by anyone (except for A who would give him the occasional kick).  It was so funny to see this because I can't tell you the amount of times I've seen Andy lying in the exact same position.  In fact, he's just woken up from his Sunday afternoon nap in this position.  His little clone even rests like he does.  Baby B looks exactly like Andy.  He may even have Andy's temperment too.  He got mad when the ultrasound tech was pressing on my stomach, and he pressed up, as if to say, "Quit.  I've had enough already!"  Sweet C was absolutely darling too.  As always, that thumb was going like crazy in his mouth.  He still is a mixture.  I can't really tell who he looks like- one minute- it's my side of the family, and the next, it's Andy.  However, C does have big lips that get to town on that thumb.  It's priceless and precious to watch.  He also wanted in every picture.  Poor thing.  We always start out scanning A first, so he is last, and he wants in every picture!  They were all doing well- large heads, big stomachs, functioning kidneys, stomachs (they even use the bathroom now!), 4 chamber beating hearts, toes, fingers, arms, legs!  They are all so perfect, made completely in the image of their Creator!  God is so good. 

Each time after every Memphis appointment, we meet in the conference room with the doctor.  The next few minutes at this appointment totally and completely rocked my world.  I was not expecting what the doctor would now say.  I thought our babies had looked perfect, and to the naked eye, such as mine, they did.  They always do though, and that's no surprise.  Mama, Laura, Liv, and I patiently waited on the doctor, and I silently wondered why there was tissue on the table.  Thankfully there was, and I didn't realize that I'd probably end up using the whole box by the end of our talk.  He came in and said the babies looked good, but immediately said, "let's talk about baby A (girl)."  My heart stopped literally.  You don't want to hear anything negative about your babies, but especially you don't want to hear it from a high risk doctor.  At this moment and previously, I realized how much I'd do anything for them- how much I loved these three wonders that I don't even know yet.  My mama hen instincts went into full fruition, and I wanted to protect each of these miracles.  The doctor then told us that A has a cyst on her brain (choroid plexus cyst).  I'm explaining totally on stupid people terms, which could be wrong, but anyway, your brain makes fluid that goes into your spine to make spinal fluid, and her brain turned some of this fluid into a cyst. Please pray that it disappears!  He then went on to tell us all of the risks- trisomy 18- scary- meaning our girl may meet her Jesus before we would like for her to, but again, these have always been His babies-and His will be done.  The doctor did tell us that this was a low risk, and we have found out that it is more common in babies.  This is just not the news we wanted to hear, but again, I must remind myself that these are God's babies.  He also told us that he didn't want to even tell us, but legally and ethically, he had to.  He also said since I'm on the younger side, that is better too.  Please pray that it disappears!  He also said that I could have been born with one, or you, but sonograms are just so in depth these days.  Andy and I are doing ok, taking it day by day and trusting in God completely.  I'm not going to lie though, it has been extremely hard to trust because I tend to like to have control over things.  I then have to remind myself that God is in control, and this is His baby.  God is at work in us as well, sanctifying us daily.  The doctor recommended against an amniocentesis because it would put sweet B and precious C at risk. So of course, we aren't doing it unless he tells us to do it.  Please pray that it would go away.  Pray that the Lord would give me and Andy a peace that passes all understanding.  Pray for her precious brain- that this would go away.  Pray that her brain would be so smart one day that it will amaze us.  Pray for the doctors to have wisdom.  Please pray that God would give me enough strength to get through each day- to stay strong for the other two.  This is HARD, and I know my God will remain faithful to us through all of this.  It is in his strong hands, and honestly, there is no place I'd rather this situation be but in his sweet hands.  There is nothing I can do but provide a healthy place for her to live in me. Please pray our A, B, and C to continually grow at the same rate- and for peace us.

On a closing note, I found this question # 1 from the Heidelberg Catechism so comforting, as the preacher brought it up tonight in church...

Question #1~ What is thy only comfort in life and death?

Answer:
That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.

So true...  We aren't our own.  These babies aren't ours.  They're God's, and He knows them, even where their hair follicles are, and He for sure is in control of all three babies' brains.  HE will remain faithful no matter what. 

Secondly, we sang "Whate'er My God Ordains Is Right," and every word rang so true...  Check it out
http://www.hymnlyrics.org/lyricsw/whateer_my_god_ordains_is_right.html


Happy New Year and Praise God from whom all blessings flow~

Maggie

Our next appointment is on Tuesday, January 3rd here in Oxford, and our next high risk appointment is on the next Wednesday, January 11th.  Please be in prayer for both of those appointments