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.)

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Getting Help

I finally got into see the Dr this week. (My own laziness and hesitation to call) since my last post, a friend talked to me about similar feelings of exhaustion and stiffness. She encouraged me to get blood work done. Her vitamin D levels were low and she thought maybe that was my problem too. She was right! They are extremely low. Along with calcium levels.  The doctor wrote me a prescription for vitamin D to take weekly.

I also looked into PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and yep... I have all the symptoms. So I talked to him about that. He agreed and we decided to get me on medication to help calm things down for a bit until I can get back on my feet.

About 12 hours after my first dose, my daughter came in with a bad dream. I calmed her down then tried to fall back asleep. All of a  sudden i was short of breath. The more I tried to catch my breath, the worse things seemed to get. My limbs began to ache and go numb. I got dizzy and was convinced that I was going to die. It was so scary. The only thing I could do was pace the floor. I had all kinds of nervous energy just screaming to come out. I began to wonder If I had had a heart attack or something. No pain n my chest, but it felt numb and almost separated from my body. It was the weirdest thing Ive ever experienced. Scary too. Each  time I would calm down and think it was over...moments later It  would start again. We finally decided it was time to head to the ER. I called my dad (he is always up early) and he came racing out. He watched the kids while we went in.

The flashbacks of months ago were rough to deal with as I was set up with IVs and x rays but I made it through. The tests all came back normal. He said it was most likely an anxiety attack. He said any time you mess with the brain (the medication does that) then it can have various effects on the body. So my body just needs to get used to the medication. What a creepy things to go through. I was tempted to go off the medication right away but decided to give it a few weeks.  So far, no more anxiety attacks, but I feel sick all the time now. I feel like I have morning sickness. Im not supposed to feel this way! Im going to give it a while longer but will probably have to switch.

My energy level seems to be rapidly decreasing. I have about as much energy as the day I came home from the hospital. My body aches and Im miserable. Sorry to be such a complainer.

On a happier note, I cot an email and phone call from two of my Doctors. They made my day. It felt so good that they were concerned about me and wanted to see what they could do to help. Such amazing men.

I took my first  dose of vitamin D last night. Im praying that Ill feel relief soon. Thanks so much for your kind words and prayers. It is great to have some answers, so I can get back on  track to healing.

My sweet mom and sister came and  took care of things today. They fed my kids and cleaned my house. Thanks ladies!

Caleb hasn't gotten into therapy yet, but doing extremely well. We have been rubbing his palms and he doesn't clench his fists as much. He  even started grabbing his feet and putting them in his mouth. He is also focusing on things more and wants to reach for them. Major progress. Its awesome.
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2 comments:

  1. Well-Rounded MamaSeptember 4, 2013 at 12:35 PM

    Has anyone examined you yet for Sheehan's Syndrome?

    In women who experience a severe postpartum hemorrhage, sometimes the pituitary can be damaged. This can affect the mother long-term in a number of different ways, including severe fatigue. It's not always apparent right away and is often diagnosed remote from the hemorrhage.

    Google it to see if your symptoms fit at all. Here are a few links:

    http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001175.htm

    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sheehans-syndrome/DS00889

    After all you've been through, it would not be unusual to develop PTSD. I hope you can find some help for that. There are many resources online to help and listen, including www.solaceformothers.org. Some women find EMDR to be a big help in lessening symptoms, anxiety, and flashbacks.

    Blessings on you and prayers for your recovery. The initial healing is only the first step in what is likely a long-term recovery journey. Remember that it's a process and it's normal for it to come and go over time. Be patient with yourself and give yourself plenty of physical and emotional time and space for the healing to take place.

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  2. UnknownNovember 21, 2013 at 9:03 AM

    First off let me say congrats on being a survivor! I also am a survivor of previa and Percreta. I am also the founder of the Hope for Accreta Foundation. I came across your blog and wanted to reach out to you, the foundation has teamed with the red cross and is having a nationwide blood drive 1-14-2014 and I was wondering if you would like to get involved , as you know if it wasn't for the generosity of other donating we would not be here today. I myself required a large transfusion of 540 units or 35 gallons and I am doing everything in my power to give back. Please check out the website for more info hopeforaccreta.org orhttps://www.facebook.com/hopeforaccreta I tried to look you up on facebook to message you but message went to your other folder due to privacy settings.
    Hope to hear from you soon
    Gina Walker

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