Really? I was losing this baby? I had just had an ultrasound a couple of weeks before and everything was progressing perfectly. The fact that I was pregnant with a baby had just come real to me and now it looked like I was going to lose it all. I was trying desperately to stay positive, but the internet wasn't exactly helping and I was kind of expecting the worst at that point. I knew that if this was all part of His plan for me, it was something I could handle. Knowing that my Heavenly Father would never give me more than I could take gave me great comfort and it really got me through the next 24 hours. Don't get me wrong, I started to cry multiple times throughout the day and night. I was so grateful to have Tucker as my rock and my comforter. Too, I cannot tell you how many friends and ward members called and texted to let me know they were praying for me. I couldn't believe how much love these people had for me and my family and I was humbled to know I had so much support. Of course my family was more than wonderful as well. Our living arrangement may seem strange to most, but having my parents and sister right close is such a blessing, especially in such circumstances. I love them so much!
By the next morning, my bleeding had almost stopped. I still didn't know what that meant, but I was much more hopeful going into the doctor that morning than the day before. Tucker went with me and they took us back right away. The nurse came in first to find a heartbeat. When she couldn't find it, Tucker and I both thought we had received our answer. She quickly mentioned that sometimes it was hard to find a heartbeat this early, however, and went to get the doctor. Dr. Smith came in and was concerned to hear I was bleeding this late so he started with an ultrasound.
Our baby was doing well! Moving around with a strong heartbeat!! I was so happy to see our little peanut on that screen and I couldn't stop smiling!! It turns out that I have a subchorionic hemorrhage, but it isn't a concern at this point. They are somewhat common and are usually reabsorbed before the baby is at full term. Phew! I was put on light bedrest (just know exercise or major activity) for two weeks and I haven't had any new bleeding since.
Monday was a very happy day for us all. That Wednesday was not. I was over at my mom's house chatting with her and my brothers. We were in the office and Karoline was just down the hall playing. After a minute of her being too quiet, I decided I better check on her. I was horrified to find her 15 feet away with multiple pill boxes in her hands, some of them open. My grandma had been moved out of my parent's house and into hospice care. My mom had been organizing all of her medications and had put them at the top of the stairs to be taken down. Unfortunately it meant that they were well within reach of my Koko. So many pills, there must have been 10 different bottles as well as the daily pill boxes full! We were particularly worried about the blood pressure medication and diabetes medication. I immediately call the doctor who put me straight through to poison control. As I read each medication to the operator, I grew more and more nervous. How could this have happened?! I was right there!! He told me that she would need to be hospitalized and to take her right away to the nearest ER.
I called Tucker and told him to meet me at the Riverton Hospital. I was so glad I was able to do so without breaking down. Karoline was already nervous as we had been asking her over and over whether or not she had taken any of the pills. I told her we were going to see the doctor and Grandma was going to come with us. She was very hesitant, but was such a trooper as we took her in.
They took her back for the start of numerous tests. She had an EKG done, urine sample taken, and then came the blood draw. They wanted to put an IV in just in case she had to have more tests done or needed fluids or medication later. I thought I was doing so well, being so strong for my little girl, but they were really pushing it! The nurse struggled to get the IV in and had to make a second attempt before getting it in. What was absolutely killing me was the fact that Karoline was trying to be so brave. She didn't shed a single tear. She seemed so nervous and afraid, but was acting like she was ok. Why did she feel she needed to be so brave? It just about put me over the edge.
Because the diabetes medication wouldn't show any effect for another 20 hours, they insisted on keeping her for a full 24 hours for close monitoring. None of us were happy about this, but knew it was absolutely necessary. They moved us to the Primary Children's Unit and I can't tell you how grateful I am to have such a facility so close. If your kids are sick or injured-Utah is the place to be, no doubt about it!
So we started the long haul of hospital stay, getting poked every 1-2 hours to get her blood tested. This girl is smart and as soon as the nurse or tech came in, she knew exactly what they were going to do. Not fun. And yet, this angel of a girl took it in such stride, never crying, not a tear. Some of her fingers wouldn't draw blood so they had to use the same 5 fingers over and over-they were hamburger by the end.
Throughout her stay, she became famous to the entire staff. No one could believe she was so good...and cute to boot! When I told the nurse I was interested to see how she would react to her first poke (after getting all of the other tests done), she responded with a smile and a bit of a laugh and said, "Oh, she will cry, they all do!" I told her that I was expecting that, but that she had surprised me by not crying so far. The nurse about died! She couldn't believe it! And sure enough, she gave her the poke and Karoline just grimaced and then smiled to get her bandaid. She had tech after tech, nurse after nurse, doctor after doctor, come in and be astounded by her good behavior. With that, Karoline was flooded with gifts. Coloring books, stuffed animals, and small toys were given to such a sweet girl.
As though we hadn't had enough (did I mention that we had kids with the stomach flu a few days prior, the twins had ALPS testing for three days, or that Tucker went out of town that weekend...awesome added details), my sweet, kind Grandma passed away at the end of the week. As I mentioned, my Grandma had been placed with hospice care after suffering a stroke three weeks before. She never regained her speech and was in poor health ever since. She was such an incredible woman and I have always looked up to her. She was brilliant, a hard worker, an amazing mother, independent, and was always up on her politics. I am sure she was thrilled to see that Obama was reelected! Maybe she is the reason why I am a registered Democrat! She loved my kids and many will tell you that I was one of her favorites. Terrible, I know, but I did feel special. I think about the fabulous memories she gave me teaching me how to crochet, sewing an Easter dress and other jumper outfit with/for me, dancing to "Sweatin' to the Oldies" in her room, having her live with us, her delicious taco soup served with Doritos, swimming at her house in Phoenix at night...the list goes on. Such an amazing Grandma and I am so luck to have had her play such a big role in my life as well as my kids. Love you Grandma and so happy to know of your sweet reunion with Dave and your sisters.
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