Well, last week I ended up in the hospital twice, and the second time, since it was the third time all together, I had to stay. I got to spend 8 nights and 9 days there. It wasn't bad. I had lots of company and the kids came up everyday. I missed a baby shower, so many of my sweet friends brought their shower gifts to the hospital. It was fun to get new baby stuff!
The doctor gave me steroid shots 24 hours apart that will help develop baby girl's lungs faster. Those suckers hurt! I'm a baby when it comes to needles anyway, so this was not fun at all. It hurt when she stuck me, the medicine hurt going in, and it stung and burned for about 20 minutes afterwards. I'm really happy to have the steroids, though. The neonatologist came to talk with me and said I was far enough along that the baby isn't considered a micro preemie, and that having a girl means she's about 2 weeks more mature than if I were having a boy. All good news! She discussed everything that would happen if the baby comes early and I feel like I'm more prepared, should that happen. I think the hardest part will be having to leave the baby in the NICU while I go home. Of course, that may not even happen! But if it does, I know she'll be extremely well cared for.
I had the nicest nurses while in was there. They were so kind and compassionate about my situation and some other family things happening that I'll save for another post. I really feel like I was cared for 100% by the nurses. They made the long stay not so bad.
Now I'm back home and on strict bed rest. I have to stay in bed or on the couch all day. I'm not really supposed to sit upright because it puts too much extra pressure on my cervix. So I just lie down or kind of recline all day. I do get up to use the bathroom and shower, but that's about it. I sit up to eat. It's an adjustment for sure! I can't go anywhere except to doctor's appointments, but I have those once or twice a week so I look forward to getting out of the house.
I am not supposed to be left alone in case something emergent happens and I need to hurry and get back to the hospital. So my family has been taking shifts while Brad goes to work. While I was in the hospital, Brad had to go out of town for an emergency health situation with his dad, so my wonderful Aunt Jan from Chicago flew in to stay at my house and take care of my kiddos. She and my mom worked together to make sure they stayed on a consistent schedule. My sister in law came and took them to the aquarium one day and they enjoyed doing that with their cousins. Now that I'm home, my mom and dad have been taking turns coming over for about 10 hour shifts to care for the kids and babysit me. Next week will be a little harder because school starts for everyone, but we are working it out. I know it's hard on everyone to drop what they're doing to come take care of my family, but it is so appreciated. I know that I would do the same for them in a heartbeat.
I cannot believe the support and blessings we have received from everyone. It is just overwhelming. My friends know that Brad works from 3-11 in the evening and that he's not home at dinner time, so the meals we have been receiving are so wonderful. We've received gift cards to restaurants and cards and food to fill our freezer. We were blessed with a housekeeping service so that brad doesn't have to worry about the house on top of his full time job, the kids, a bed ridden wife, his dad's situation, the shopping, laundry, etc. I could barely accept this wonderful gift. I was overcome with emotion and gratitude and finally got the words to accept it out of my mouth. Wow. Thank you so much. I've had friends come and pick up the kids and take them out to eat and to parties they've been invited to. It is just so humbling to have so much support. The phone calls and visits are so uplifting and I just can't believe how loved and supported my family is. So, to those of you reading this, thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this less than ideal situation a little easier on everyone.
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