Just FYI

Just FYI... here is what our week has been.

Friday 11/15: Take the kids to school, spend the day out and about, working, chiropractor appointment, taking a walk, all while timing intermittent contractions.  Pick the kids up from school, had a baby at 5:15pm.  Have kids come to the hospital around 7:30 for gender reveal and to meet their new sibling. (Full birth story coming later.)

Saturday 11/16: Day spent in the hospital, watched the Michigan v. Michigan State game.  Kids came to the hospital in the afternoon and Hubby left with them to help at home and sleep at home so only one of us would have a lousy hospital night's sleep.

Sunday 11/17: Came home from the hospital, within an hour or so started to realize that I was very tired and probably over-doing it a little.  Tried to take it easy.  Called my doc's office with some concerns and questions about if a few things were normal.  Spent Sunday night very chilled and awake a lot with Hunter but awoke sweaty Monday morning.

Monday 11/18: Took Hunter and Lee Lee to early doc appointments and started to get chilled as we headed home.  Called my doc's office mid-morning to report the chills and sweats and find out if these temperature swings were normal for two days postpartum.  Four hours later called the doctor's back because no one had returned my call.  Reported to them that my temperature was 101.7* and the nurse made me an appointment to see a midwife the following afternoon.

Tuesday 11/19: Spent the morning with Hunter, feeling achy and lousy resting and nursing Hunter.  Hubby took me to my doctor's appointment where the midwife examined me and with consultation from an OB decided that I was suffering from a uterine infection and needed to be re-admitted to the hospital for IV antibiotics.  Tuesday afternoon spent packing a bag for Hunter and myself and being re-admitted to the hospital.  Tuesday evening spent getting IV fluids, antibiotics, an ultrasound, blood draws, and vitals taken every two hours.  Tuesday night spent in the hospital.

Wednesday 11/20: Spent at the hospital with Hunter.  Initially I was told they would hope to send me home when I was 24 hours fever free -- Wednesday I was told that my blood samples were showing signs of a bacterial infection and I would not be going home Wednesday.  Throughout Wednesday I began to feel SO much better.  I have had three previous natural childbirths and I know how quickly I bounce back when there are no complications -- I kept waiting to bounce back, but I kept feeling worse every day instead of better.  Finally Wednesday I started to feel better and feel like I was bouncing back.  Wednesday spent getting more antibiotics, and Wednesday night spent at the hospital.

Thursday 11/21: The docs still had a few questions regarding my blood work, but were very encouraged by how well I was doing, my energy level, and how long I was fever free and so they allowed me to go home on oral antibiotics.  Thursday afternoon spent riding along with my parents while we all got the kids from school and watch the twins' Thanksgiving concert at pickup time.  Thursday evening feeling great and finally back at home.

So... as I'm looking through pictures to post or thinking about posting details of our being sent home from the hospital or about how the big kids are adjusting... it feels very incomplete to leave out this huge part of the story, which was how long I have been out-of-commission following Hunter's birth and how our kids (and Hubby and my parents) have had to cope not just with my recuperation, but my prolonged absence.

We are praising God that I am home now and feeling so well, and that Hunter was able to be with me and continue nursing the whole time I was gone.

Just FYI...