Emergency rooms, medicines, and surgery oh my!

     Wow! The past month has been so action packed my head is still spinning (could be the pain medicine though). My blog has been placed on the back burner in lieu of everything else in my life. I hate that and want to make this a big priority. I guess I will start with an update on the new chaos.

      It started on April 1st when I took Ana to the emergency room. She was burning up with a high temp, lethargic, and I just knew something was wrong. They found out she had a viral bronchitis, ear infection, and allergies. They gave her an antibiotic shot and breathing treatments. She then was bouncing off the walls because of the steroids. I was just glad she was happy and back to herself again.

    Then when Ana was due was a follow up at the doctor Bailee was acting really sick. It was the same week. She had an ear infection, tonsil infection, and allergies. She was on antibiotics and it cleared up quickly.

     About a week later Emerson went in for his 18 month appointment and was coughing, slight fever, and whiny. He  ended up having a slight case of phenomena and bronchitis, ear infection, and allergies. He still received his shot for the appointment, antibiotics, and breathing treatments. This time he was refusing his medicine. That stubborn boy! :) Then on April 27th Emerson had a horrible rash spreading on his body and whiny. I knew he has eczema, but this rash was spreading fast and looked so painful. I took him to the emergency room and found out he had yet another ear infection and impetigo (pronounced in-pen-ti-go not in-pet-a-go ha-ha). He received more antibiotics. Poor baby.

     The next turn was me and this is where the story gets crazy and sad. Sunday April 30th I was changing Ana's diaper and gagged. I thought it was weird and something told me to go take a pregnancy test. I had received my monthly "friend" as usual but it was lasting longer than usual but didn't alarm me. I took the first test and it was positive but light. I took another one and it showed up positive. I went to the store and bought a digital test and it said pregnant. I was then convinced I was pregnant but was concerned about the bleeding. I went to the emergency room to make sure everything was okay.

    I first went to MTMC and they had more than a three hour wait so we left and went to Stone Crest and got there around 9pm. They had a wait but it did not seem that long. It was over 3 hours until I even went to triage. Then we had to wait back in the waiting room for a room. About another hour later we were in the room. They said their computers were down and that was why they were going slow. I had peed in a cup around 11:30-12 and every time I asked about the results they said they would have to look. Finally around 3:30 they came in and said oh your pregnancy test was positive. We had called the ultrasound tech and she has an hour to get here. The only other thing they had done was an exam and said my cervix was open about 1cm. After the ultrasound about 4 am they came in to tell me they could not find a baby and I was having a miscarriage. I was devastated. The second miscarriage in 4 months. My mom came and got me. I spent 8 hours in the ER and will not go back there.

    I called my OB/GYN the a few hours after being home. They made an appointment for me around 1:30. I went and they did an exam, said my cervix was closed, I was pregnant, and drew some blood. They were upset the ER told me I had a miscarriage without being 100% certain. They told me to return Wednesday to get my blood drawn again to check my HCG levels and make sure they double. I went in Wednesday morning and they put the results STAT. They called around noon and said they had almost doubled. They wanted me to return Friday morning for another blood check, ultrasound, and to see the doctor. She said if I felt any pain in my lower abdomen or bleeding to call them ASAP. I went about my day but taking it easy.

   Around 4:30 I was on the computer and started having stomach pain. I brushed it off thinking maybe it was ligaments stretching or something. Then the pain suddenly got worse and when I went to the bathroom I was bleeding again. I was suddenly doubled over in pain crying. I called my doctor office and they said get to the ER immediately. I called Joey crying and he came home to take me. I got a sitter and we headed to MTMC. I waited about an hour and because they thought I could be having an ectopic pregnancy they sent me straight to a room. They took amazing care of me and had me off to an ultrasound right away. Within a few hours they confirmed I was pregnant, my HCG levels were the same, and they noticed a worrisome image on the ultrasound and they thought I had an ectopic pregnancy. The OB came in and offered me three options: to go home and wait it out, get exploratory surgery, or stay overnight and re-access in the morning. We chose to be monitored overnight because I was in so much pain and IV medicines were only helping so much.

    I was able to get some sleep around the pain and nurses. The next morning (Thursday May 3rd) the other OB doctor came in to see me and checked my abdomen. When he pushed on it it started hurting on the opposite side then my lower back started hurting very badly. He looked at me and said you are bleeding in your abdomen and we need to do surgery. Joey brought the kids to see me and at 10:30 am they sent me to pre-op. Joey showed up from dropping the kids off and they had already given me medicine and I do not remember much but bits and pieces from there. When I woke up I remember asking for my husband over and over and where my underwear was. lol Joey had gone to pick up the kids since we only had a sitter for a sort time.

    Joey finally got there and they had told me I did have an ectopic pregnancy and they had to remove my entire left fallopian tube. The tube was swollen with a cyst and the baby inside. I also had a lot of bleeding in the abdomen. They made 3 incisions. I was sent home later that evening. I was sore and tired. For the next few days I took my medicine and slept. Joey took amazing care of me, the kids, and the house. I was blessed to have a husband to be by my side and care for me.

    I was cleared by the doctor yesterday but was having bad headaches, nausea, mood swings, and just wanted to sleep all the time. I was told my hormones are going crazy because I lost a baby through surgery. He also said I have postpartum depression. My goals are to get back to the gym ASAP, I have started sewing on my new machine and want to continue, and enjoying each days with my babies and husband. Joey has started a new job after being let go once he was released from workman's comp. Things are looking up. I am just not sure if we want to continue trying anymore for a baby. I think for now we are going to enjoy our 3 amazing and healthy children and let God lead us from here.

      Sorry this blog is so long. I just wanted to get everyone caught up and know the chaos in my life. I will hopefully be sharing sewing projects, crafts we are doing, and any other thing I feel is nifty.

Have a Blessed Day!
Katie

Thankful Thursday: Spring of Life

     Here I am weeks away from my last post and wondering where time went. Watching kids full time on top of my own children, caring for my house, new activities, and working towards a college degree keeps me very busy. I barely remember to eat yet write a blog post. :) I am sorry!

     Winter is a cold season. Sometimes with snow. Sometimes with just chilly weather. It may be dreaded and wishing it was over. Then this season of Spring seems to flow in and brings sunshine, birds chirping, green grass, flowers blooming, new smells and sites, and fresh beginnings.

    This year Spring has sprung in my life in a whole new way. It is amazing how one small step can change your whole world. February 12th we chose to go to New Vision Baptist Church and try it for a day and see. This church touched my heart more than I realized it would. Eight weeks later I am a member, going to a group, volunteering in the preschool, and never want to miss a day. I have meet amazing people that have made a big impact on my life.

    I have rededicated my life to God. This is one of the biggest decisions in my life and has changed me and my view of life in a million ways. I dedicate each day for him and I fail but I know his love for me will never fail. He is by my side no matter how bad I am and I can rely on him 24/7. He is keeping me strong.

    One other change this Spring of life has brought is an amazing change in my relationship with my husband. We have fallen back in love. We find time daily for one another. We have focused so much on the children and let things go. We are rededicated to one another and bringing God to the top of our relationship. I love him more and more each day.

    I am so thankful for an amazing God. Without him I would be so lost. I am thankful for him opening up my heart to him. For the family he has given me and the three children he chose for me to be their mother. Leading me to NVBC and being moved and blessed by Brady's words. I could continue on and on with all my blessings. My eyes are fully open for the first time and my heart is so happy it could burst.

What has God done to bless you today? I would also like you to share an inspirational story or favorite Bible verse.

Have a Blessed day!
Katie

Thankful Thursday: Being a Mom

      Hello!! I am sorry I have been MIA for over a month. Things have been cRaZy! And yes I know it is Friday writing this, but hey better late than never, right? :) Things have been changing for the better and it was so hard picking what I am thankful for this week. As I'm writing this my children are sitting around me playing cars together (maybe not always nicely, but together). I just feel this overwhelming love and blessing for these three amazing children. God chose me to be their mother. That is awesome.

    Being a stay at home mom it is not always easy, fun, glitter, and rainbows. You deal with the crying, attitudes, bad behaviors, fighting, messes, and more. On top of that you have a husband and a house to run. It can get overwhelming fast with multiple children (and animals too). That being said I can not describe the love I have of being a mother who can stay home with their children. I would deal with the negative any day.

     I may not be paid with physical money, but I get an over abundance of hugs, kisses, and I Love You's. That's a better payment. I look forward to the silly and crazy things Bailee comes up with daily. Yesterday she was so upset Ratatouille did not have a mother she was wanting to get a new Ratatouille movie with a mother. She could not believe he did not have a mother. Poor baby. Analeigh gives the best hugs and is starting to potty train. She loves to cuddle and be held. Emerson is my momma's boy (love/hate relationship with that). He is my cuddle bug. He amazes me daily with new words and his growing knowledge.

     All three babies have me wrapped around their little fingers. I would do anything for them. They know I give in easily. :) I could not imagine life without them. I thank God daily for these little miracles and that he trusted me to guide them and be their mother. Amazing.

Funday Monday: DIY Liquid Laundry Soap

So I thought to make Mondays fun and motivating I can start a post of Funday Monday. It's a post about DIY projects to inspire others. Feel free to leave links to your projects and ideas! :)

Today is DIY Liquid Laundry Soap. (Makes 10 gallons)

To begin you will need:

5 gallon bucket (I got mine at Home Depot for under $5)
4 cups hot tap water
Bar of Fels-Naptha soap bar (found in laundry section) (I also used a small bar of Ivory for the smell)
1 cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (This is NOT baking soda. You need the washing soda from the laundry section) 
1/2 cup Borax

 1. Grate the soap and add it to the pot of hot tap water.  Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

2. Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Pour in the melted soap, washing soda, and borax. Stir until well combined and powder is dissolved.

3. Fill the bucket to the top with more hot water. Stir, cover, and let sit overnight.

 

4. The next morning it will look yellow and kind of chunky. Stir it well.  Fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel).

-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.

-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)

-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

This soap should last you quite a while. I love the smell and it really cleans my clothes. I also use vinegar as my fabric softener. I am now trying to find a DIY dryer sheet to make the clothes smell extra nice. :) 


Have a Blessed Day
   Katie