Blood Sugar Good, Blood Pressure Bad

I woke up Tuesday morning with a great sense of determination.  I was determined to do well on the sugar test.  I got to the office around nine and they did the stick right away...63 and it needed to be under 95.  So that was good, maybe even low.  I went to a restaurant and got an omelet and toast, killed some time at Belk getting a few things for Sam, and went back for the 2nd test.  That was a 90.  I was already envisioning what delicious meal I would eat before returning to school.

Then they took my blood pressure, and it was in the 160s/80s, which is too high.  The doctor came in and didn't mince words...I was going to the hospital in a wheelchair, and if it didn't come down, I was going to Norfolk (a much bigger hospital about an hour away).

As I got settled in my room, my blood pressure was of course sky high.  I was nervous and was also being poked and prodded for blood.  My blood pressure was taken every 5 minutes and an alarm would sound if it was over what they had set.  I wasn't allowed to even get up to use the restroom.  None of that is calming or restful.

Things must have looked better, because the doctor finally let me eat and drink.  Ned arrived around that time and we kept busy writing paint colors down room by room for the house.  They started me on medicine, and Ned went to get a few things for me since I would be spending the night.  The doctor came in and said that my blood work was good and my blood pressure was looking better, so as long as the next blood work was good I could go home the next day.  I would need to take it easy for awhile but could possibly return to work in a week or so.

My mom came by and Ned returned, and my blood pressure starting going back up slightly.  I know it was talking and trying to figure out Avery details, etc.  Everyone left, and they increased my medicine, did more blood work, and started an IV because I was dehydrated.  I tried to eat a good dinner since I hadn't had much during the day, but sitting up still caused my blood pressure to go up.

All along, Sam was doing great on the monitor but was giving the nurses a fit to keep him on it.  It would only pick him up if they held it at an angle, and that's when he was still.  There were times where they were in the room 30 minutes at a time trying to figure out how keep it right.  They taped things to me, stuck things under the bands, and all while I'm supposed to be staying calm.  This went on all night, probably every hour or so.  I must have at least half way slept through it, because I was surprised and what they had rigged up by the time I really woke up the next morning.

There's no sleeping in in a hospital.  Labs were in at 5:15 a.m. and the doctor was in at 6:15.  She did say that if my last blood work and my 24-hour urine were good I was going home.  I was starving that morning, and with a shift change it took forever for my nurse to come in.  Then she seemed a tad slow.  I just wanted food but she needed to check my sugar.  Breakfast finally arrived around the same time Ned did.  I felt so hungry and bad, and when I sat up and started eating I got sick.  I was so worried that would keep me in the hospital.  Ned left so I could rest, and they ended up giving me something for nausea and brought me some cereal.  The doctor increased my calorie intake because I wasn't eating enough, but I was still provided no help with how to eat 2,500 calories and watch my sugar, if I needed too.

I was relieved when all my final labs came back fine and I could go home.  I got my bed rest orders and my next appointments and we left to get Avery.  I'm not sure who was more excited.  We came home and I claimed my spot on the couch, where I've been ever since, other than sleeping.  I'm allowed to get up and use the bathroom, eat meals, and shower.  She even said I could sit up in a chair, so I'm thinking the nurse gave me stricter instructions than needed, but I'm following them anyway.  Stairs and walking are limited, which is tough with one bathroom upstairs, and I can't lift Avery.

Ned has jumped right in and is taking care of everything.  It's not ideal, but it beats the hospital or having Sam now.  There have been hard moments already, but it's what needs to be done.  I almost feel like I've been expecting this all pregnancy, so I'm not all that surprised. 

It's really hard to plan how things will go, because I have no idea.  That is hard for the planner in me.  My first goal is to make it to my appointment Monday and hear that things are going well.  I'll also see a high-risk doctor next week just in case I would need one in the next few weeks.  Other than that, I'm doing what I can to prepare however I can.  At some point, we'll be moving and having a baby, and we're not quite sure what will happen when.

I'll be back to share (more to document for myself) how our days and routines have changed.  In the meantime prayers for all of us are greatly appreciated.  Ned is doing everything for everybody on top of running a business and building a house.  Avery is learning that Mama can't do much all while in the middle of a very "attached to Mama stage."  I am following my instructions and having to ask for and receive help, all unfamiliar for me.  And of course, we pray that baby Sam continues to be unaffected and will grow, grow, grow.