Meet Jody

We have another sweet woman to add to our prayer list! She will be delivering soon with baby number 8. Here is her story....

I was born in a small town... Just kidding!  Ok, I am 36 years old and currently pregnant with my 8th lil blessing (7th pregnancy - as my 5th is adopted, but that's another story).  We are having a little boy(our 6th son), Ezekiel Tomson, and I can't wait to see/hold/love on this newest little gift from God!

I married the love of my life 13 years ago!  My first 3 pregnancies were fairly uneventful with no REAL issues (now that I know what REAL issues are).  Seventeen days after my 3rd was born, I had an emergency D&C, followed by blood transfusions and nearly died....I was told I had a "retained placenta" (now I question whether it was accreta). My 4th I had a c-section because he was transverse.  We then adopted a beautiful little boy that God dropped in our laps (not really that easy, but God definitely made it known that he was "ours") after 3 1/2 years of infertility!  Of course, we found out we were pregnant when he was 3 months old and our 6th was born via c-section at 36 weeks after many weeks of bedrest due to pre-term labor (he was transverse also).  Our 7th, also transverse, was born via emergency c-section at 34 weeks due to pre-term premature rupture of membranes.  He was very sick and needed a lot of help those first couple weeks, but is a beautiful, busy, full of life toddler now!

This pregnancy has been a little "scary" from the start.  Don't get me wrong, I was "desperate" for another baby and pleaded with God to conceive!  I KNEW that God had another little one for us, because I also pleaded that He would take the longing away if He didn't have another one coming!
Throughout the pregnancy, I kept seeing the word "victory" everywhere and was boggled because I also kept seeing the number "17" all over (exit numbers, the clock, addresses, license plates, etc.) to the point where I looked it up on the Internet.  Guess what the number 17 stands for under "biblical meaning of numbers"?!?!?  Yes, VICTORY!!!  I was sure that we were having a baby girl (after 4 boys in a row) and I was going to name her "Victory Ana"... However, at 19 weeks, we found out we are having another little boy (which I am thrilled about now)!  We also found out that I had complete placenta previa and that were "concerned" about a possible accreta and they wanted to see me back in a month.  I was put on pelvic rest and modified bed rest (which to be honest didn't really slow me down a bit).  I was completely naive about the situation, and was still processing the "boy" factor along with "what does victory mean then", and trying to keep up with 7 children and homeschool!  At my next ultrasound (23 weeks), the doctor said that they "see" an accreta and explained a little about what that meant.  They were more strict about my "bed rest" and wanted to keep an eye on things.

I am generally a very optimistic person (although my husband would disagree - because I am also a realist) and after minimal research (and a little bit of panic) I began to "see" that that is why God had been "speaking" victory to my heart!  It was bigger then a name - it was His confirmation that He would provide the "victory" in this horrible, life threatening condition that I had never heard about, much less thought was even possible!  Up until that point, my goal had been to carry my baby to "term", terrified of another "emergency" delivery and sick baby (that nearly broke my heart)... but now I had to prevent pre-term labor at all costs (most of which is honestly out of my hands) because it could mean the life of my baby, and me!  All this in the middle of a move (a family of 9)!

I wish I could say that I've stood on that "word" and all has gone well... But I can't!  Most days, I feel like a train wreck emotionally, but am striving to be led by the truth of God's word and my faith (which is soooo strong one minute - then crumbles the next)!   I praise God for the friends and family that have been my "Prayer warriors" when I didn't have the strength or faith to lift up my eyes - and temporary lost sight of "where" my help comes from!  I was devastated over the possibility of a 
hysterectomy and the "thought" that it was a "life threatening" condition (although I don't think at that point I even understood the magnitude of it).  I know God only allowed me to "see" as much as I could handle at that point (cause believe me, I "googled" accreta to death)!

After the confirmed accreta at 23 weeks, I shared with my  "mom's group" and our church to be praying for the situation.  God is soooo good!  We had over 40 people, some that we hardly knew, bring us meals, help us pack/move/paint/clean/etc!  It was overwhelming to see the love of God poured out on our family!  God put it on many people's heart to fast and pray, and they were faithful!  When I went for my ultrasound at 27 weeks, the doctor (a different doctor at maternal fetal medicine) saw no evidence of an accreta, and when I questioned about it, she said "I see no accreta" and even showed me the "dividing lines" between my placenta and uterus.  I was amazed and KNEW that God had done a miracle!  I cried happy tears calling and texting everyone that would listen to tell them the news!  The next four weeks were much easier!  I released myself from bed rest just in time to move (although with the complete placenta previa I knew I still needed to take it easy).  I went out of town to a homeschool convention which is one of the highlights of my year (that I never would have been allowed to do with a looming accreta).  Went camping with my family and some friends from church, and truly enjoyed myself, and my very active growing lil bundle of love!  Mostly though, the "weight" of accreta was off my mind - which truly was a miracle!!!!

However, when I went back to maternal fetal medicine at 32 weeks (last week), they informed me that they see the accreta again... And now time is ticking!  I was devastated!  I was confused - I had truly believed that God healed me!  I now see the bigger picture... That God saw that I needed to stop and refocus and "enjoy" life again - and He used that "4 week break" from this dreaded condition to humble me (He is what holds my family together, not me).  He carried the burden for me, cause He knew I couldn't!  That's a mighty big God!  He loves me!!!!

It's only been a week since my "re-diagnosis", and a lot has happened!  I've had caboodles of tests, shots, etc. and feel like I live at the doctor and hospital right now!  I've had MANY sleepless nights... Of prayer, reflection, thinking, reading blogs of accreta survivors, and stories of those that did not make it!  I've pondered my life like never before... Knowing that there is a 10% chance of dying within the next couple weeks makes you think! 

I'm still clinging to the "victory" that God has so clearly spoken to me and have pled with Him to allow me the privilege of growing old with my husband (an amazing man) and raising the AMAZING children that He has blessed us with!  I love them soooo very much and want them to KNOW me and my love for them as they grow!

So.... That's my accreta story, so far!  I had an MRI today (33 weeks), along with my first dose of steroids for babies lungs.  I will know the results "early" next week and then the "team" of doctors and surgeons will plan for my surgery.  The waiting continues...

To God be the glory!
Love and blessings,
Jody Good :)