My name is Jennie. I'm a wife and a mother. I have been married to the man of my dreams, Trever, for 9 wonderful years. We have 5 beautiful daughters who fill our lives with joy and excitement. We just had our 6th child. Our son Caleb.

I was diagnosed with a rare condition called Placenta Accreta along with Placenta Previa. Accreta is a condition where the placenta attaches to the scar tissue in the uterus. It will often continue to grow to deeper tissue (increta) and even through the uterus attaching to other organs(percreta). I ended up having an 11 hour surgery, including a hystorectomy, and bladder repair. I received 7 units of blood and blood parts. (This is a lot of blood loss for my surgeons, but minimal blood loss to those who are not as experienced in these deliveries. I spent 36 hours in the ICU after surgery. I have also had many other complications afterwards including another minor surgery 2 weeks later. These complications are somewhat normal for the type of surgery I had.

I had a team of specialists doing my surgery. Obgyns, Gyno-oncologists, trauma surgeons, urologists and anesthesiologists. This team has specialized in techniques helping with minimal blood loss. Those with accreta , loose large amounts of blood because the placenta cannot detach naturally at delivery.

My goal is to help save women's lives by giving this terrible condition a voice. So many are ignorant to its fatal attack. Doctors and women alike, need to be educated about Accreta. Many have never even heard of it. The numbers are on the rise because of so many women choosing to have c-sections when it isn't necessary. Not all women can avoid it, but many can. Please help me give Accreta a voice, by sharing the information in this blog. (There are numerous posts with information on Accreta as well as the Accreta team who took such great care of me.)

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

A First for Everything

These past few months have been a time for firsts in our family. Our first son was born, my first time being on long term bed rest, my first long term hospital stay, our first child was baptized, etc. Today and last night, I have been contemplating about getting Caleb home. I am so homesick for him it's crazy.

It has been a huge blessing that I have been able to understand that I can't have him until he is well. I have been very blessed to Not long for him like I normally would. I really feel like my Heavenly Father has been holding back the flood gates, so that I could handle not being near him all day every day. Those that know me, know that I am an over protective mommy sometimes. I like my babies close to me at all times. For some reason, I have been able to let go and trust that he will be safe. That is a huge first for me! As he gets closer to coming home, my longing for him gets stronger and stronger. Today I decided it was time to start preparing for his arrival. I need a project to keep busy so that I don't break down from heart ache.

Focusing on getting the house ready for him, gives me excitement for our reunion instead of sadness that I can't be with him when I want to be. Today I decided to push myself just a little so that I can start building back the muscles etc and healing that much more so that I can take care of him. I have been on bed rest since the end of November. 5 months of doing hardly anything has made my body extra weak. I have been trying to walk a little each day. Some days it's just to the front door and back. Others it's to the park around the corner, or the bus stop. Other days its down the hallway at the hospital. Walking has helped me build up some endurance.  I am getting stronger each day. Don't worry, I'm taking it easy still. That is also a first for me, I never slow down! I have learned to relax and sit no matter how inconvenient. I have learned to let my house go ( even though I sit and stare at it and it drives me crazy sometimes... I still stay down and allow myself not to touch it) I have been very blessed by awesome friends and family who help take care of my house and laundry. Especially since Trever has had to go back to work. Thanks ladies! You have saved me some insanity. Someday I will get back into having the kids do chores etc, but for now... It is what it is.

Anyway, I had myself a few more firsts today. I cooked dinner for the first time in almost 5 months. I also did the dishes! It's funny how before, those were things I often dreaded. And I love cooking. But it often was a chore that I didn't want to deal with. I feel so accomplished now, having done those things. I actually look forward to being able to clean, do dishes, cook etc. this is huge for me. Especially the dishes! One day it's a dreaded task, the next ( well 5 months later) it's a blessed occasion and a huge accomplishment. Funny how perspective changes things. So all you women out there who do this day in and day out, give yourselves a pat on the back. You made dinner tonight! You did the dishes etc... I thnk my body may be in shock tomorrow after the extra movement today. I defiantly pushed myself and feel the burn, but I feel so fulfilled. Tomorrow, ill take it easy and let myself recover. :) One step closer to feeling ready for my little man to come home!

I just talked to Caleb's nurse. He is still doing really well. He is so good at pacing himself and he knows when it's time to quit. He starts to gag and push the bottle away when he is done with the whole sucking thing. It's like he knows when he has pushed his limits and its time to just take the rest through the tube. It's the weirdest thing, but I noticed that while I was nursing him. He would stop and pace his breathing again, then try again. Then when it was going to be too hard to regulate it himself, he stopped. Smart cookie, I tell you what. He is still at 6lbs 12oz. He gained about a half oz or so. He is getting stronger and stronger each day. As soon as it clicks for him and he starts eating everything by mouth, he will be ready to come home. I'm so excited!

I was hoping to have him home this weekend, but I think it will be more like the middle of next week. Which is great timing for me. Ill get the catheter out and have a few days to rest and really start to heal. I haven't slept too well with the catheter. I keep waking up making sure it's draining properly. I do not want it to get pinched and have to start the process over again! 3 more days!!

Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)