Are you ready for the latest dispatch from bed rest? I feel like I will win an award for posting about the most ridiculous topics ever before this is all said and done. Those of you with some sort of feed reader are going to be all, "Ugg, she's posting again, go read a book Kelsey."
So I'm feeling alternately complain-y and then guilty about feeling complain-y because certainly I would/will endure much more than this to keep Littlest safe and in place for as long as possible. And yet. . .
Like this morning, I'm totally annoyed by the fact that I need to be drinking a lot (fluids = good for my fluid level, not rocket science) but it is kind of a pain to get out of this lovely bed to go to the bathroom. I know that sounds absurd, but when you've been sitting for this long it seems like a lot of work! Not to mention the fact that every time I get up and down there are pillows and blankets and, um, protective items that need to be rearranged. And if I am hooked up to the IV at the time, then I have to unplug the pump and drag that with me. Do you know what is not possible? Pulling the IV pump into the bathroom and holding the back of the hospital gown closed.
Last night the nurse came in to give me a 2 a.m. dose of IV antibiotics (thankfully NOT the liquid fire kind) and decided the IV in my hand was looking not so great and needed to be replaced/moved. It had only been in since Monday afternoon but had been fairly uncomfortable the whole time, so I was happy to exchange another "stick" for the removal of that particular IV. Unfortunately my veins were not cooperating. One hour, two nurses, and four unsuccessful sticks later there was still no usable IV. They had to call the Care Flight team in here to get one started. Apparently that crew can start IVs under the most dire of circumstances and the state of my veins was a dire circumstance. Mr. Care Flight (sorry, I didn't catch his name at 4 a.m.) got an IV going right away. The only bad part is that it is right in the crook of my right arm. While it is not painful, it is supremely annoying. (See, I'm complain-y.) It is most comfortable if I don't bend my arm at all. Why don't you sit down and try just not bending your arm for a while. . . You'll be amazed at how much your arm prefers to be bent.
Oh don't you want to listen while I whine a little more?!
*****
Harper seems to be doing okay with my readmission here. Of course Sunday night she had climbed on the bed at home and told me she loved me and she was so happy I was home. . . But she called me during dinner Monday evening to tell me, "We're all fine at my house." And yesterday she came to visit with my mom after school.
She's not really intimidated by this environment anymore, which is great, but she was driving us crazy trying to touch everything in the room. I was being monitored when they came so there were cables and the sound of the baby's heartbeat to fascinate her, as well as the whole IV set-up. I was afraid she was going to pull it right out of my hand. It is so difficult for three-year-olds to look without touching.
When it was time to go Harper hid under the table in the room and whined that she didn't want to leave. Of course this made things difficult for my mother and it was not fun to watch. But I must say that I'll take the, "I don't want to leave," Harper over the version that stands by the door and says, "Let's go!"
*****
I've got a post about the food here brewing, and it isn't complain-y. If that doesn't keep you coming back for more, I don't know what will.
13 comments:
I'm coming back...I know it sounds rude, but it is so good for me to read your stories. It makes me feel bad about being whiny...because I don't have it bad at all compared to you!
I'm here from Sam's site, thought I could offer a "things do turn out awesome even if your baby is born early" story.
A friend of mine developed pre-eclampsia around 26wks, and managed to stave off delivery until 29wks, but by 29wks things were just getting ugly, the best rest hadn't helped and it was time to have the baby. Her daughter had a NICU visit of about a month, and she is now a wonderful, intelligent, crazy little 3 year old, not a single ouch of delay or cause for concern.
Hang in there, bed rest will get you some more time, but if your baby has to come, he has to come, and he'll be just wonderful!
- Lorie
mom of 1 crazy 3yr old and 1 cute as a button 3 mo old.
PS my daughter is unable to "look" without touching too. Yeesh!
A long time ago I wrote something about "acknowledging the luckiness while not giving up my claim on the suckiness" or something like that, and I think that applies here. You can be totally aware of how every minute of this is a good thing, and yet really the entire situation SUCKS, and little sucky details like an elbow-crook IV (I've had one and HATED IT) make things even suckier.
Share as much or as little as you want. Hospitals suck, no matter how wonderful they are. When I was in the hospital pre-Elise, they decided they needed to do a non stress test at 3 in the morning. Thanks.
Here's hoping it gets easier and babe stays put as long as possible.
Uggg. They can never- NEVER- get an IV going for me. I've had 5 surgeries since my daughter was born (she's 17mo.) and EVERY TIME it's a struggle. Even the chemo nurses have failed, and they are supposed to be experts at small veins. AND an IV in the crook of your arm REALLY SUCKS. I hate those.
Hang in there, and complain all that you need... We understand that you are grateful person, but that this whole thing isn't very fun.
I know from my short stays in the hospital while pregnant, it is no fun. I totally hear you on all these issues. I hope things go better today. Feel free to complain all you want though. We all know you love this baby and want what's best for him. But that doesn't mean things don't suck right now.
Hey, your post totally made me laugh. Oh NO, not at your circumstance but your follow through on how you're able to put things into perspective and find humor in the most ridiculous things. (Dragging an IV pump and keeping your gown closed!)
I'm on the edge of my seat! I can't wait for more riveting stories from the hospital bed!! Bring 'em on Sister!
You're on bed rest. It's your God given RIGHT to complain. Plus it's your blog so you can do whatever you want!
The bathroom-while-in-the-hospital thing? THE WORST. I know EXACTLY what you're talking about. And with the IV you have to go like, once an hour. All those wires and plugs and arranging of the gown, Ugh. It was always a 20 minute ordeal for me and I'd be huffing and puffing and sweaty by the time I was back in bed. It was horrible. I literally BEGGED for a bed pan or a catheter but they wanted me getting up a little bit each hour so I wouldn't get blood clots.
And I'm so sorry about the IV trauma. Especially in the middle of the night. Nice wake-up call. I hope when they switch the one in your arm in a few days it goes smoothly (without the SWAT team!) AND gets put in a better place.
hey! i highly recommend having the IV placed about 2-3 inches below your wrist on the inside of your arm - there is a big ole vein there and that spot doesn't bend. :) that is if you have to get repositioned again.
i like reading all the updates and they are not whiny at all - these are just all the little things you notice when you are stuck in bed and you are not running around chasing a 3 year old! :) keep baking that baby and enjoy the little things...
I think the ladies prior to me said it all. Sending good wishes....
i dont know how i got to the bathroom when i was hooked up to the iv except that at least for the first little while i was helped to the potty by the nurses, so they may have taken care of that. i was so exhausted, starving, and relieved that it didnt occur to me until reading your post. odd. anyway, i hate the stupid alarm that would go off if you'd shift your arm! ack! i wanted to beat it. especially since i didnt realize that I WAS MAKING IT GO OFF for like 2 days. duh.
please keep it up. i like your updates.. oh and hospital food tastes like heaven if you havent been able to eat for a week. I know from experience!
I'm pretty much (anxiously) EXPECTING to find a new post here everyday, at least until you deliver. I really love to hear what's going on with you. So please keep it up, complaining and all. It's all real, and I'll be checking back everyday to hear it!
I think what is missing is pictures. So my request is that Matt gets a picture of you trying to hold the IV and the back of the hospital gown - just a suggestion.
Kristin ;)
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