Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Start Spreading the News

The cat is out of the bag....well sorta.  :)

We told the kids Monday night.  They were all excited, and it was like a light bulb went on for each of them...they suddenly got why mom was laying around being a bum.  haha.  It's nice to feel free to talk about it if I feel like, and not feel I have to hide it.

Yesterday, we started to let the families know.  Some of them were here while we were doing the retrieval and transfer, so they were chomping at the bit to hear some news.  Thankfully we had some good stuff to tell them.  My mother screamed into the phone...hurt my ear a little.  :)  Anyway, the consensus is happiness all around.

Today I had to try and nail down a Perionatologist to get scheduled so I am not without someone when the RE releases us.  It's hard to find someone, for such a personal thing..and I of course have to find someone that delivers at a different hospital...it's all a big pain.  We think we will go to Loma Linda this time...Have any of you heard anything about them?  I'm not sure if there are really many other options close enough for us, but we definitely want to hear some reviews on it, if you all know of any.

Thankfully there have been no major bleeding episodes since the one last week.  There are still small clots being passed, but it's old stuff.  It eases my mind a little.  I have been laying down and doing very little this past week, and we are hoping this will help heal the tear that was causing the bleed...so far so good.  We are going in for another look at things on Monday...if I can wait that long.  They said we could come before the weekend if it would ease our minds...will see, tomorrow is the only opportunity for that. 

Overall, if I can keep my tummy full constantly I am pretty good.  I've been super tired, and dizzy, but the hunger pains are the biggest issue...that and my teeth hurt from these braces so I am limited on what I can and cannot chew.  That is a huge pain!  So far, so good, this week.

Not quite ready to make the big announcement...we may be forced into it soon.  Some of our family members have big mouths.  :)

Monday, December 27, 2010

8 weeks: Our little Miracles

What can I say, when there really are no words that could express what we are feeling right now.  I'm am at a loss, and for good reason.

To be told all hope is lost, and to prepare for the worst...words we have heard often this year...it's hard to imagine the other side of it, that there are no absolutes.  That God is bigger than all this, and the bigger picture isn't in our sights.  There really are no words...I am in AWE of all that is happening.  I find myself in tears as I sit in amazement of this blessing...or should I say, of these blessings.  

Thankfully, my hubby was able to witness this wonderful sight, with his own eyes, and not just take my word for it.  We could clearly see both babies at the same time, with both little hearts beating away.  What a beautiful picture!  The first heartbeat was 162 and the second was 158.  Nice and strong, and up quite a bit from 4 days ago.  They were measuring 7w6d, and 7w5d, so just a day or two behind isn't bad, especially for me, they usually are smaller than this.  :) 

We are still dealing with a rather large SCH, and it even appears to be coming from both babies...there is really no telling for sure at this point, but it's behind both sacs.  It looks to be mostly clots and old blood, just a small amount of new bleeding.  This means we watch closely to see what happens, and pray with everything in us that it heals up and goes away.  More days of sitting on my rear end are ahead of me.  My house is paying for it, but I have a pretty good incentive to lay low for awhile. 

 The big black thing on the left is the bleed, it's not showing all of it in this picture, and then there are the two babies, one above the bleed and one to the right of it.  :)  Beautiful!  

Sunday, December 26, 2010

As We Wait

Thankfully, as we have been waiting this week has been full of merriment and wonder.  Otherwise, I'm certain I would be crazy by now. 

Since the AMAZING appointment on Thursday, I have felt both blessed and shocked all in the same moment.  Since Thursday the bleeding has been a constant reminder of how scary things are, and will remain until this thing clears up.  Thursday afternoon was rough, with lots of cramping and bleeding.  Friday wasn't as bad, and the bleeding was not the same, which was a very good thing.  Christmas was pretty uneventful, and I was thankful...and then onto today, and there is something more going on, but it's old stuff, thankfully. 

Tomorrow, the hubs goes with me...he missed the other appointment that was so crazy on Thursday.  I pray that things are still looking good, with 2 little hearts beating stronger, and a bleed that has become smaller. 

As we wait, I'm a little nervous, and still very hopeful. 

2:00 is the time.  I hope to have even better news to share with you than the last post, maybe even a picture...Here's to hoping!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Roller Coaster

In my life I have experienced too many times that I feel like I am on a roller coaster of emotions..I really hate roller coasters too.  It's up one day and down the next, and then it repeats itself over and over. 

I've learned to go with it most of the time, but there are days I would like to shake my fist in protest of the many ups and downs we have been going through.  This past couple of weeks has certainly been one of those times. 

Again last night I was dealing with a lot of cramping and bleeding.  Once again today I dragged myself in to see the RE to check things out and make sure nothing needs to be done.  Every time I go, I expect little. 

Today we find though how that HOPE we hold onto so desperately can change things so drastically in one tiny little moment. 

We have a Christmas Miracle, one that we hoped for, but guarded our hearts with at the same time.  Yes there is still bleeding, and lots of cramping, and we can't seem to do anything to make it stop...But today was different. 

This day brought so much hope, that I can't even begin to know what to do with myself.  There was a little heart beating away, and measuring perfectly...But wait, there was more....another little heart was beating away in a sac right next to the other one. 

To say I am in shock would be the understatement of the year, but I really am in SHOCK.  We are so very hopeful, but walk forward from here with caution...and we Thank God for this, we know these little lives are in His hands.  He knows the outcome of all this, and we have to leave it at that.  We need prayer for healing, and prayer that these little precious ones are healthy, and stay put strong and healthy until it is safe for them both to be born. 

Today was a good day...and I know there is always a chance that it could change tomorrow, but we hold on with everything in us to that four letter word I say so often....Hope. 

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

A little more Waiting

I have struggled to find the words to say about what we are going through right now.  Really there are no words, I just feel a little lost. 

The ultrasound yesterday, revealed the bleed had subsided, not as large and it looked to be going away.  The only surprise really was that since so much of the bleed looked different, we were once again able to see the other sac that we thought was detached.  Both sacs are still there, and both are still empty.  Yesterday, I was 7 weeks. The little heartbeat that was there is not only gone, but the sac is now completely empty.  

We are waiting one more week.  One week to just be sure.  This looks to be something I will need a D&C for and I don't want to jump in without giving us a little more time.  I feel pregnant, dizzy, tired, and super hungry all the time.  This makes it so hard.  It's hard not to be discouraged. 

We wanted to end this hard year on a happy note.  Now we just have heavy hearts. 

We wonder what God has in store for us, as we walk this journey that seems to hurt a little more than we expected it could.  Although, through this we still have hope, and we are clinging to it with everything we have left in us. 

There are 3 little ones still waiting for a chance to be our next child...we are thankful for that opportunity that we have never had before.  I don't know how long I will have to wait.  I do know my HCG levels have got to be sky high, so it may take my body a while to recognize this and go back to normal so my cycles will start back up and be normal.  Maybe, March?  Maybe not, we just don't know. 

For now though, we remain hopeful...and are waiting just a little longer in hopes of a miracle, but are prepared  if there isn't one.  

We appreciate your prayers. 

Friday, December 17, 2010

The Unthinkable

How can it be that a hard year continues to be full of sadness.  We face that today, once again. 

I was able to get in again, for an ultrasound.  It appears the bleed grew, and detached one sac completely, and the heartbeat from yesterday stopped.  I am full of clots.  There are no answers to why.  We don't understand any of this.  It is truly unthinkable.  We will take a look at things on Monday, but we are expecting no change. 

I am broken. 

Another rough Night

Yesterday the RE was able to wait on us to get to the office before she had to leave, so we could take a little look at things. 

We saw a heartbeat in one of the sacs, and the other looks like something is going on in it, so the RE anticipates seeing a heartbeat on Monday at our next appointment.  The bleed hadn't grown either, so it was a good news day for us.

Last night though, I started to get another headache, which isn't the end of the world.  When I went to bed though, I had started cramping and bleeding again.  It's so frustrating.  Woke up with the headache, and the bleeding has slowed. 

Today I am trying not to be frustrated.  It's hard, but I keep praying that everything will be okay. 

Lately all I do is pray.  At least I have that.  This week has been a little topsy turvy, looking forward to some calm. 

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

6 weeks 2 days

So far so good.  No more bleeding since that first incident.  I know more will be coming based off the size of that bleed.  For now though, I am thankful that it's not constant. 

The RE called and needed to change the appointment time to earlier, which meant Jake wouldn't make it in time.  I felt it would be important for him to go, so he could see for himself instead of just taking my word for it.  Sometimes a picture speaks a thousand words.  Anyway, I have changed the appointment to Friday...not that I want to wait that long, but I also want my hubby's hand to hold.  So, as long as there is no more bleeding as of now, I can make it a whole other day if it means not going alone. 

Still hopeful that those little ones are growing and doing what they need to do to become strong and healthy babies.  I feel tired, and super hungry...and dizzy is my new friend that goes with me wherever I go. 

Continuing to pray my hearts desires.  Thanks for praying, friends. 

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Subchorionic Hemorrhage

It grew.  It's a lot bigger than yesterday, and it's the cause of the cramping and bleeding. 

Unfortunately we don't see anything in the sacs either...which is discouraging news.  We should see something, but we've got nothing.  At one point the OB thought he saw a little flicker, but if there was one there it wasn't measurable. 

We could really use a lot of prayers.  We know first hand how quickly things can change in early pregnancy, and we are praying that the next time we go in to see how things look, that we see a baby, and the bleed subsiding. 

Discouraged, but always hopeful. 

Thank you for your prayers.  We go see the RE on Thursday afternoon. 

Monday, December 13, 2010

A Scary Day

Actually, Friday started it with some sharp pains in my side.  I wasn't able to get in until this afternoon to have it looked at.  That made for a long weekend.

All looked pretty good today.  We were able to see 2 sacs in the uterus, ruling out an ectopic.  Twins!

Then the RE said, there may be a third...that was a shock.  She also said it may be a SCH, and we would have to wait and see.  We also weren't able to see heartbeats yet, although she didn't spend much time looking. 

Well it seems I didn't have to wait long.  I started cramping tonight, and then came the really scary part.  I stood up and felt a gush, and I knew what it was.  I started bleeding tonight.  It's a scary thing, and I am praying that it is coming from what the RE thought might be a Subchorionic Hemorrhage...if that is what it is, it needs to heal, and not grow anymore.  If it's not, well I don't know what to do, but, at this point I am not going to jump to any conclusions and will wait until they can take another look at things more closely to give me an idea of what is happening.  I am scared, but I am putting in God's capable hands...knowing it's totally out of mine anyway.

Hoping to get some reassuring news tomorrow.  Thanks for praying for my little ones.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

I gotta Feeling

It's a strange feeling....to feel in a permanent state of motion sickness, but that is the only way I can describe it.  I get up, I feel woozy, I turn my head, and feel the same.  A strange feeling for sure. 

It gives a weird sense that maybe all is well and working properly.  I guess we will see soon enough.

After such an emotional week, I am exhausted.  I do believe a nap is calling my name.  So much to do, but I'm thinking nap first.  :) 

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Grueling Day

It has been an emotional day.  We were being prepared for a huge meeting tomorrow.  A meeting that we shouldn't have to do.  Tomorrow we are giving our depositions...to say it's emotional is a complete understatement.  We both cried today, and it was just preparation for what is to come when we are grilled tomorrow. 

They are not asking anything that we don't have answers to.  What they are asking is what happened to our son from the time he took his first breath, to the time he took his last.  I would normally post something like this on my other blog...but, I have to be careful what I say on there...they are out there reading, and can use anything against us.  I just needed an outlet tonight. 

We face an emotional, and very long day tomorrow.  Once it's done, we shouldn't have to do anything more...and if nothing comes of this...at least I know they will think twice next time a mom expresses her concern for her child...and they just might catch something before another little one losses it's life.  Before another family faces an unbelievable loss like we have. 

They (the other side)  have to prove that there was nothing they could have done to save him...We on our side have to show if they had listened to us the first time we raised a concern, from the moment he wasn't breathing when he was born...that he needed help then and if they had listened he would still be here with us.  It's an uphill battle, and these cases are hard to prove.  We gain nothing from this...but, maybe just maybe, a little life will be saved because of it.  That is my prayer. 

Monday, December 6, 2010

2 more Weeks

Only 2....Just 2 weeks, that's no big deal, right? 

It seems like forever.  After all the hoopla of the past several weeks, all the appointments and contact with the RE comes to a screeching halt, and we are left waiting and wondering.

We wonder if everything is okay, we wonder if both embryos are still growing, we wonder what we will see and feel when we finally set our eyes on the screen that gives us a glimpse of the life that is growing.  This wait is by far the hardest part of it all.  We do not intend to share with the kids what is going on, until we really know what is going on.  It makes it tough, since I look like I am 4 months along already, but, to give them hope that maybe...well we need to be more sure before we offer that hope to them. 

Years ago we told the kids that I might be pregnant.  I was in fact pregnant, but wanted to be sure things were going well, before we said it was definitely happening.  Just a few days later, I had lost the baby.  Their hearts sunk, and so did ours.  While there are never any guarantees, we feel that we need to be cautious with how we approach most things in life.  Nothing is for sure.  We learned that the hard way this year.  I feel really good about what's growing on in there :)  I am very hopeful that things are going to be great.  For now though, we will keep our lips sealed as long as possible, and hope that we can offer this gift to the kids on Christmas morning, news that our family is happily growing and healthy.

I really do feel good about this pregnancy.  I can't wait to see things...that will be the icing on the cake.  I am looking very forward to giving my family and kids great news this Christmas...what a gift that will be. 

2 weeks...
This week will fly by, it's super busy.  Next week isn't as full, and I have a feeling it may seem really, really long. 

Patience!  I must dig deep to find it.  :) 

Friday, December 3, 2010

Balloon Mama

Forget about Balloon Boy...Just call me Balloon Mama....

I literally feel like someone stuck a pump in me and is continuing to pump me up!  I am a bloatation device...I would float for sure.  :)  It's a bit uncomfortable, and a lot embarrassing.  There is only so much my sweater is covering up...and it's not much. 

Sheesh.  I feel like I could explode any minute.  Progesterone is a friend of the bloat, and I've got it going on.  That number from Wednesday's draw is higher than it gets at the end of pregnancy...it's no wonder I look the way I do. 

Oh the fun!  Someone please deflate me.  :) 

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Beta Number 2

After waiting all day long, I finally got the call.

11dp5dt = 1649

Progesterone is sky high at 381...they told me I could back off on the PIO shots and not take so much.

That horrible headache the other day has hormones written all over it!  :)

Good news!

Ultrasound is scheduled for December 20th at 2:15.... YIPPEE!!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

The results are In

We finally have an answer....and it's shocking! 

633 is the number for 9 days past a 5 day transfer. 

I'm literally in shock! 

Tomorrows number will be most interesting.  December 20th should be the next date we are looking forward too, that should be the day of our first ultrasound.  It's a long wait, but it will be well worth it. 

Holy Cow!