July 8, 2008

A few days in a hotel....

...would have been a lot more fun than spending the last 3 days in the hospital.

I woke up Sunday at 2 AM with extreme bladder and right side back pain. I mean, extreme. I tried to cope and get back to sleep, first with Tylenol, then 2 hours later with some Vicodin. Two more hours later I was whimpering/crying/thrashing with the pain. I tried taking a hot shower to see if I "just" had slept funny and that is why my back hurt so much. The shower didn't help and drying off and getting dressed made the back pain worse. I waited till a "decent" hour to call my friend Dana who is a midwife to get her opinion. She said "Go to the emergency room NOW". **gulp** Okay, okay.

Hubby took me to the ER at the hospital I am hoping to deliver at (we haven't ever used this hospital for a delivery, but I have been there for a couple of friends births and each time I am impressed), which is not very close to our house, about 20 min. away when there isn't any traffic. I walked/hobbled into the ER while hubby parked the car. They take one look at me and put me in a wheelchair. I tell them I'm 20 weeks pregnant and they call the labor and delivery dept. and basically decide they will send me up there and if they don't want me/don't think that is where I should be, they will send me back down.

This was a real blessing. I did not have to spend anytime sitting in the ER waiting room, or wait for hours to be seen, all the while in a lot of pain. I went right up to a tiny labor and delivery "observation" room (since I wasn't having a baby I didn't need the big rooms that are all set up for delivery's and newborn care). I was in a bed immediately, with tests being run, pain medicine administered and an IV started not long after I arrived.

Based on my symptoms and test results they were thinking bladder infection with a kidney infection and/or kidney stone. I was started on IV antibiotics, hydration and pain control. An ultrasound of the kidney didn't show any obstructions or stones, so we kept to the treatment of a kidney infection. Meantime, they monitored the baby a few times a day, but he/she is a very happy camper, in spite of my illness and misery.

I never knew kidney infections hurt so much. As my before-mentioned-friend Dana describes the pain, it is like someone in stiletto heals is stepping on your back, right through your kidney. Yup, that sums it up.

I spent Sunday, Monday and half of Tuesday in the labor and delivery dept, occasionally hearing the "noises" of transition or pushing and the delightful sounds of newborn baby cries. I think if I was closer to my due date it would have been harder to leave there without a baby in my arms. As it is I have 19 weeks till my due date, and about 17 weeks till my OB plans to do the c-section because of my still VERY complete, placenta previa (had an US of that while I was in the hospital, since I was just "lying around" with not much else to do and was going to miss my scheduled US at my OB's office, because I was in the hospital), barring any problems making an even earlier delivery necessary.

All the nurses were so great and they all said "good-bye for now, and I hope to see you when you come back to have this baby". I am so thankful I chose to go to this hospital. It was great!

For now, the plan is 10 days of oral antibiotics, pain relief as needed, rest, see the OB in a week, etc. Further out plans still include bed rest at 28 weeks, which is now 7 weeks away. AFTER I am back on my feet again, I need to get back to working on school planning and figure out what we are going to do about meals when I am on bed rest.

Our wonderful church family is helping us out this week and bringing in meals through the weekend.

After I got home today all I have done is mostly sleep. You know, a hospital can be a great place to "rest", but not so great for sleep. I haven't slept more than 2 hours in a stretch since Saturday night. It is no wonder that once I crawled into my own, comfortable bed, that I couldn't keep my little eyeballs open any longer.

Next up: trying to get ready for a family camping trip that is next week. Eek!

6 comments:

Jenni said...

So sorry to hear about all this drama! So glad it's not too serious and so glad to hear the baby is safe! Blessings to you as you recover and plan for your trip!

Baleboosteh said...

Oh you poor lamb! A kidney infection is excruciatingly painful. Rest and recuperate. I know exactly what you mean about not being able to sleep in hospital. Praise God for your wonderful church family and it is so good that you have found a great hospital. You are in my prayers.

Homemanager said...

Oh, Jerri! I too am glad that all is well. Do get the rest you need, especially if you are going to be going on a camping trip.
Maybe some of the older children can do the "getting ready" and also help you with your school plans. :-)

I'm working on mine right now as well. :-)

Blessings and Prayers,
Karen

Karen said...

WE've been praying, Jerri...I hope you are doing better. And don't go camping if you don't feel up to it!! Or send David with the kids! Wahoo!
:-)

Blessings of health,
Karen

Julie said...

Ouch. That sounds awful. So glad to hear you are feeling better and on the mend.

Julie

Roberta said...

Jer~
I was praying for you when I saw the prayer request. So glad you are doing better.

 
design by suckmylolly.com