Friday, December 10, 2010

Mommy's story

As promised, here is what happened to me. It is very gross, and for that I apologize. (but you have been warned)

Well the c-section went very well. I tried very hard to stay calm and had a much better experience than with Colby. I wasn't even aware they had started until the anesthesiologist asked if they had made it to my uterus yet. There was a lot of tugging on my body that I felt, but it really just felt like I was in a bouncy house. No stress whatsoever. I loved seeing my little guy. He made two small squeaks and then looked down at me from the curtain. He had big, wide open eyes, so blue and full of curiosity.

After they finished my wonderful c-section, they took me back to recovery. Grant was soon allowed to be with Parker so it was just the nurse and I. We sat there chatting easily, talking about how sweet my little guy is and attempting to predict what they would do with him. Things were going well, like I said earlier the life flight team brought him in to see me before he went to the children's hospital. I did well in recovery so they let me go to my room. The anesthesiologist had to be in another surgery and so forgot to put an order in for my pain medication, but I was doing well and the pain really hadn't hit me yet.

Both my husband, mother and son were at the other hospital when I noticed my gown was soaked. It was pretty uncomfortable so I pushed the nurse call button to ask for another gown. They didn't come very quickly, so I hit it again. No such luck. I was just about to hit it again when the CNA came in to bring me some ice chips. I brought it up and she went to go get the main nurse to help change me and clean me up. My mom and hubby walked in, and I was grumpy from lack of pain medication, but also shaking a lot. I was hot, but clammy and couldn't really talk. My family left when the nurses came in to give me some privacy. They pulled back my gown and immediately started pushing buttons and yelling down the hall. I had huge clots and was bleeding profusely. My uterus never contracted down, so my body was sending all my blood straight to my uterus. In other words, I was hemorrhaging, BAD.

To get all the blood out, my doctors literally had to dig through me and grab huge clots out. At this time I still had not received any pain medication, and my spinal was all but worn off. They brought back some anesthesiologists, who were desperately trying to find a good vein to get an IV into for my meds. I have about 15 holes in one arm from all their attempts, but they kept blowing the veins out. I had doctors jumping up and down on my stomach (and fresh incision) trying to get my uterus to contract down, but it still wasn't enough. They rushed me back to labor and delivery for more room and more supplies nearby where they continued to batter my poor body. I finally got some pain meds but I was beginning to pass out and wasn't very good about pushing the button. I could feel everything and it was horrible. My husband was not able to stand all the needles and injections and so was left alone to compose himself while I was with all the drs. All I could do was hold hands with whoever I could reach and scream as they tried everything they could.

They knew that things weren't working very well anymore, so they rushed me back to my Operating Room as a precaution. They were also able to find better medication for the worst of it. It wasn't long term, it lasted about five minutes at a time. But once they gave it to me, it hit me like a ton of bricks and made things a lot more bearable. They were also able to give me blood transfusions at this time, so I was starting to feel a bit better. They had to dilate me to 4 cm to reach in and clean me out (dilating after labor, NOT FUN) It still hurt like no other and between my screaming I would beg them to let me have a break, just two minutes to gather myself.

After two hours of all of this, they finally were able to have everything under control. I had lost 40% of my body's blood and had two transfusions. I was told that this was the 4th case of this happening this week, and I was the only one who didn't have to have a hysterectomy because of it. It was a long hard battle for everyone and I was just soooo exhausted after all of it. Even now I still don't have very much energy at all. I am also still struggling with pain, we have not found a good medication schedule yet.

I've been nauseated, exhausted and desperately want to see my son but am unable to move much. Its been a long hard journey but I am starting to recover.

And thats the gory details.

And to end well, here's one of the only pics I have with my guy, right after delivery before they were taking him to the other hospital.

14 comments:

  1. Oh Amy. Reading this brought back to me so many horrid memories of my own. It was like reading my own story. How thankful I am that you are okay. I love you so much and wish I could do something to help you. The transfusions can make you feel icky for a while. I will say extra prayers for you. Thank you for letting us know so that we can keep you in our thoughts. Love you.

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  2. OMG sweetie! I could only imagine part of that when I talked to you after all that. Seriously, tearing up over here as I read that. I'm so glad that you're okay even though that was such an ordeal! I love you sweetie! Lots of prayers for you and Parker-boy. Love you lots and seriously, let me know if I can do anything! And that pic of the two of you is just precious!

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  3. Amy! My goodness. Hunny, you have been through a lot and I hope that you get a chance to see Parker soon.

    I'm agitated at the hospital for not taking better care of you! 4 cases in one week! That's absolutely out of this world! Perhaps at 2 they should have gotten a different team!

    In any case, I am very happy that you're doing better and that things are going well for Parker as well. I hope you can be together as a whole family soon!

    Have you been able to see Colby at all?

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  4. Wow!!! I had NO idea after reading about him that you had had such a rough time! So sorry you had to go through that but very grateful that you are okay. Scary!!! Thanks for keeping us posted.

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  5. Amy, I'm sorry you have had to go through so much. You are such a trooper! You are so strong and amazing and your story is so inspiring.
    Two weeks after I had Austin, I had to go to the emergency room because of major hemorrhaging. It was scary. I remember having read about going to the hospital if I have blood clots the size of a fist and thinking, "What would that look like?" I guess I got my answer. I didn't have to have a transfusion like you, possibly because you recently lost blood from a c-section, and I'm glad I didn't have a D & C, but they gave me an abortion pill to make me contract. Luckily you were already at the hospital when it happened. I hope you feel better soon and that everything goes well for you and your family. You definitely deserve the best!

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  6. Oh my gosh! I am so glad you are ok! How scary!

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  7. So glad you are ok, though I think you have solidified my terror of c-sections. I hope you get feeling better soon and they let you stay in the hospital for a few extra days to recover. All my love and prayers for you and Parker and the rest of the family :)

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  8. Oh Amy, I am so sorry that this happened to you!

    Your family is in my prayers.

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  9. Wow Amy. What a whirlwind you and your family have been experiencing for the last 6 months or so. I'm so thankful that you were protected, that you are safe, and that you didn't have to have a hysterectomy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Parker and Grant and Colbey. Know that you are loved.

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  10. Oh my. Words don't even describe! I wanted to cry just reading this! How scary!!! I am SOOOO glad that you're doing ok. Yikes! And I can't believe that you're already up to typing all this. :) Hang in there! And I super hope you feel better soon. We'll definitely be remembering you in our prayers. Hang in there sweetie!

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  11. Oh Amy how scary!!! I'm so so sorry you have had such a rough week :( I'm so glad you are on the mend and doing better! Please let me know if there is ANYTHING we can do for you guys! Get feeling better!

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  12. Amy! What a terrible ordeal! I am so sorry. Sounds so painful and horrifying. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your son.

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  13. My sweet beautiful friend... I am sooooo glad you are ok!

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  14. Kim Jaeger Orlandini
    Oh heartsies. SO sorry you had to endure this. I wish I didn't know what you were talking about. :( Yours sounds ten times worse. I LOVE YOU.
    December 10, 2010 at 11:32am

    Emilee Oviatt
    Oh my Amy, I am so sorry what you went through, you truly are so strong and i look up to you for it. if i can do anything dont hesitate to call. We love you!!
    December 10, 2010 at 11:34am

    Kyle Campbell
    Pretty amazing. glad you are doing better.
    December 10, 2010 at 11:35am

    BeQui Mangum Chidester
    I'm glad you didn't die, and you didn't need a hysterectomy, and you're feeling better. I'm praying for you and Parker!
    December 10, 2010 at 11:36am ·

    Melissa Harris
    Amy that sounds udderly and completely horrible! I am sorry you had to go through that. I hope they can get your pain under control. Hang in there. You have been through so much. You are obviously one tough girl.
    December 10, 2010 at 11:39am

    Emily Jex
    What an ordeal! Glad you're on the recovery end! Lots and lots of prayers for you!
    December 10, 2010 at 11:42am

    Emily Hendriksen Jones
    So sorry you had to go through that! I hope
    you start feeling better soon. Please let me know if there is anything I can do!
    December 10, 2010 at 11:55am ·

    Richard Stock
    let us know if you need anything Amy. Seriously we don't have anything all weekend. Give me a call if you need anything at all 801-637-1788
    December 10, 2010 at 12:12pm

    Jamii Ng Stock
    you really are amazing!
    December 10, 2010 at 12:33pm

    Mandee Schmidt Cossa
    You are amazing! I wish you a speedy recovery! Which hospital?
    December 10, 2010 at 12:34pm

    Laurie Amy Earl
    Dear sweet Amy!! You are very blessed and everyone thanks God you are alright. That was VERY scary!! Praying for Parker and all of you. PS Parker is adorable!!!
    December 10, 2010 at 12:35pm

    Danielle Lewis Norman
    So glad you are ok! Definitely thinking of you and Parker today! Good luck!
    December 10, 2010 at 12:36pm

    Amanda Vorwaller Young
    I'm so sorry Amy, get better soon, so we can get together and talk about how horrible c- sections are. I miss our talks.
    December 10, 2010 at 1:42pm

    Kaylene Steele
    You both have my prayers, hope it's only up from here.

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