Keller, TX ~ August 7th, 2010

Keller, TX ~ August 7th, 2010
The "eight of us" together w/ our NEW babies after our losses...

Living Proof ~ June 13th, 2009 ~ Pittsburgh, PA ~ Beth Moore

Deeper Still ~ June 28th, 2008

Deeper Still ~ June 28th, 2008
The "eight of us" w/ Beth Moore (w/ empty arms)...

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Would you believe...

Believe it or not I am back in the hospital.

Yesterday around dinner time I laid down to feed Dante. I nursed and we both fell sleep. I woke up around 8:30 PM in a puddle of sweat and had the chills. As I began to move around and attempt to sit up is when I realized I could not breath. I was gasping for air and began to cry, as that is something I've never experienced before. The heavy pain in my chest was not a good feeling. I called my PCP's office and waited the for doc on call to call me back. He said that I could wait till morning to be seen but it sounded like I should go to the ER. I had been coughing since Friday night (several hours after surgery) and even Dante's pediatrician (during his appointment yesterday- FYI he weighed 8 lbs 1 oz) noticed my cough and wheeze and recommended being seen if it didn't improve.

Vinnie, Dante and I headed to the ER after taking Mya and Dominic to Dominic's dads house since we were unsure of the length of our stay. Little did I know that my stay would be much greater than I had anticipated.

Long story short (okay not so short)...I had blood work done where a level came back high meaning likely a blood clot. I was then sent for a CT scan w/contrast of the chest which meant I could not nurse for 48 hours. Imagine the tears shed w/ that alone. Results of CT revealed a blood clot in my right lung as well as some fluid. This results in admission...w/out my 5 day old son.

Needless to say I was crushed. Devastated and a mess. How can this be happening. After last year w/ Eva I was now given no choice but to be away from my 5 day old baby for who knows how long.

I've had, in addition to the CT, an EKG, doppler testing on my legs, breathing treatments and an echo cardiogram. I have been put on two blood thinners Lovenox and Coumadin in which will likely be the treatment for the next several months. I guess the thoughts are that I likely developed a clot in my pelvis during/due to the pregnancy and after surgery clots are more likely to occur and reveal themselves.

Either way I was quite miserable. I am doing better now after spending several hours w/ my boy today. And knowing that he has had no problem w/ taking the bottle and the formula helps to ease some of my stress. Next stress will be that he comes right back to nursing at 2 AM Saturday (yes, I'm counting down). I am currently pumping and dumping...do you know how bad that sucks? Breast milk is like liquid gold. I hate to see it all wasted! But because of the dye used for the CT scan I have no choice. I hope to be home soon but if I'm not I can at least start collecting my milk at 2 AM Saturday for his feedings thereafter.

Please continue praying for us. For a fast recovery, medication adjustment, no long term complications w/ the clot, discharged soon, Dante to continue doing well for Daddy (it's been 9 yrs since we've had a healthy baby at home - and Vinnie wasn't on his own w/ Mya as a newborn like he is now w/ Dante), Dominic and Mya to remain fear free as this is hard on them as well, it's likely I'll need to inject myself at home w/ the Lovenox - prayers that I can do such, my appetite has gone out the window...I need that to come back and our hearts as Eva's birthday quickly approaches.

Ironic? Coincidence? Eva lived for 5 days, 18 hours and 10 minutes. Because I analyze everything I calculated that Dante would be 5 days, 18 hours and 10 minutes old at 4:05 AM last night. Call me crazy, weird or whatever but is it strange that I said goodbye to both my baby girl and my baby boy at that very same moment of there lives? Obviously w/ Dante it was more like "see you tomorrow" than a goodbye but it was EXACTLY 4:05 AM when Vinnie and Dante left me last night as I was being admitted and brought up to a room? Dante will be a week old tomorrow and I have been away from him much too long already. I MISS HIM. I miss them all. Dominic, Mya, Eva and Dante. Oh and Vinnie too!

9 comments:

boltefamily said...

Hey Chrissy! I just called La Leche League and asked about you not breastfeeding. I had a similar procedure done after having ben and the radiologist said to pump and dump for 48 hours but the lactation people said I could nurse...I called and I looked it up and really it is safe to nurse. I guess old habits die hard, and some doctors are still telling mommas to wait, but it is safe for you to nurse your boy!

boltefamily said...

http://www.babygooroo.com/index.php/2008/01/05/can-i-breastfeed-after-a-radiologic-procedure/ here is another link that says it is ok...not that you should trust the internet, but I would look into it further...you can call La Leche League and see for yourself...they research these things.

Emily said...

I'm praying for you, dear friend. I'm so sorry you're going through this, especially now. I wish there were more I could do. Just keep trusting God with all that you cannot see and believing He'll work it all out. Every tiny thing.

Dante's a doll!! :)

Me and my Gurl said...

Oh my Chrissy,

What an experience. God works in mysterious ways and everything happens for a reason. Those are two phrases I am CONSTANTLY reminded of by others. I am so sorry you are going through this, however greatful that ou went to the ER when you did. Things could be very different if you had not. Those blood clots are nothing to play with. You will remember that you could not nurse for X amount of days but Dante will not skip a beat. Just rest and get well soon. My prayers continue for all of you.

God Bless
Sonja

Tonia said...

I am so sorry Chrissy for all the stress that you are going through right now. I am thanking God that you are ok since that is such a scary situation! I will pray for a quick recovery and that you all feel peace. I also pray that you get to see your precious baby boy a lot - and all of your other loved ones also!! Use this time to rest!! Take care!!
Tonia

Melissa said...

I have followed your story for a while now....
First off- CONGRATULATIONS!!! He is just precious!!
Secondly-- WOW, you are very,very lucky to find that clot when they did!! You definitely have an angel (EVA) watching over you!!
Good luck... I will continue to pray for you & your family.

malette-foreveryoung said...

I am and will be praying for and you family,
Praying ND
Malette

Betsy McK said...

Yes, you are very lucky they found the clot and are working to get it under control. This is a very scary situitation and just glad you got help when you did. The baby is just precious, I know it must be hard to be away, but I'm sure daddy and the big kids are giving him lots of attention and TLC. Praying for a quick and complete recovery and that you get reunited with your family very soon.

Tabitha said...

Oh goodness ~ that is awful news ~ I am praying that everything will be ok and that you will be with your boy again soon.
Sending much love your way.
Tabitha XXXXX