It's been a bit of an eventful day with quite an eventful evening. Yesterday when I got home from Norfolk I had a message from my local doctor. She had just gotten my blood work back from Monday, and my platelets were low. She spoke with the doctor in Norfolk, and they were not at a level that concerned him. They did want my labs repeated today. I felt like my good day kind of went down hill, and I was worried. Low platelets are a part of pre-eclampsia but usually not the first symptom. Platelets too low also result in no epidural. I spent last night thinking of the things that still weren't ready and stressing just a tad.
I went to have my blood taken at the hospital here before lunch. Waiting was torture this afternoon and was not good for my blood pressure. After 3 p.m. the doctor called and said they were lower. She wanted them counted manually because sometimes the blood will clump and the machine doesn't get an accurate reading. I needed to come to Franklin and have it done. If they were good I could come home, but if not it was a good chance I would deliver, possibly back in Norfolk.
So the scramble began. My mom was already picking Avery up but was supposed to be bringing her home to me. We quickly decided she would just go there for the night and we would meet her with Avery's bag. I threw a few things together for her and also packed what I use daily in my bag. I made Ned pack a bag too because I was just sure we were staying. The doctor seemed optimistic that my count would be better, but I knew my blood pressure would be so high that they would keep me anyway. The preacher followed Ned in from work and was trying to have a visit, all while we were getting ourselves and animals ready for a night away.
We finally got on the road and then had to stop for gas. Mom and Avery met us along the way, and of course Avery wanted to get out of her seat and come with me. I was just sure I was seeing her for the last time as my only baby, and I didn't want it to be so hectic. We beat approaching storms to Franklin, and I was admitted, again, to labor and delivery. I did know that I would stay while they ran my labs so that they could get Sam on the monitor. I wouldn't even ask what my BP was after the first reading, but I was encouraged that the nurse didn't keep taking it. People from the lab came in to draw blood, and I was so excited to see that a man from the community college would be "learning" on my arm. By then Ned had told my that my BP was pretty good, and then the doctor came in encouraged that she thought my platelets would be better. She explained that the hospital did not keep platelets and that would be the reason for going to Norfolk if they remained low.
Luckily, she was back pretty quickly with excellent news. While the machine had counted my platelets at 111,000 (concern starts when they are under 100,000) a manual count had shown them completely normal at 400,000. What a relief. I went in ready to beg to deliver, because I feel like I just can't keep worrying about what's going on. But, I do want him to stay in a bit longer, and I certainly don't want a transfusion in Norfolk in order to deliver.
I was ready to be discharged around 7 p.m., which is of course shift change, so it took a little while. Ned and I were both starving but in much better spirits then when we went in. I'm still hoping that we'll go ahead and set a date when I have my appointment Tuesday. If anything, tonight did show me that I can go in the hospital a nervous wreck and still have my blood pressure looking ok. The doctor was apologetic that she made us come out in the bad weather, but we're thankful for her being so conscientious. I joked with Ned that this baby must have a very high percentage of Lankford in him, but I do know none of this is his fault. I usually feel like babies are much easier in than out, but I'm kind of ready to be able to worry about Sam on his own and not how my health is affecting him. Avery will be home in the morning, Ned and I got dinner while we were out, and now we're resting up. You never know when the next big adventure will occur around here.
Park City Utah
4 years ago
3 comments:
yikes! i hate that y'all had to do all that, but glad that baby sam is staying put for a little while longer. i totally agree...with my health issues w/laney, i think she was (is) definitely easier OUT than IN. i stressed big time, because we had to do the whole shuffle/scramble with gparents, babysitters, family members etc each time i was unexpectedly admitted (3 times!). i worried so much about libbi, but she was fine and just went with it! and now, it's a distant memory :) praying for you and baby sam!
Oh, that is so stressful! My BP would have been through the roof! That's great that yours wasn't bad and that you got to go home for a while longer. Although, I might have been SLIGHTLY disappointed not to have had the baby... no, I'm kidding. I know those aren't the best circumstances to have to deliver Sam. But I'm just REALLY READY ;) Not too much longer for either of us!
Whitney, I love your sense of humor. I just had to laugh out loud at the part where you were so excited that someone was going to be learning on your arm! LOL I am just about as excited to get a cortisone shot in my shoulder this week. Terrific news that everything was better and you can wait longer until Sam arrives!
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