Kaaren Sue!

  Friday, May 13th at 37 weeks we were ready to meet baby number 8, the one who would complete our family. Surgery was scheduled for 12:30 in the main OR so we headed out to be there 2 hours early. We arrived, got checked in and prepped. It all went well especially since I declined the Reglan so my anxiety was no worse than normal. The spinal went in great and the anesthesiologist did an awesome job. Finally it was time to find out who baby was!! 
  My heart was pounding as they pushed on my abdomen to get that baby out. When I heard the words "it's a baby girl" I was so overcome with emotion and could not stop crying. I just thanked Jesus over and over while I was laying there and they were finishing up. 

Meeting my angel! 

  I was in the PACU for awhile and then sent back to my room. Once in there we attempted feeding, but it wasn't going to well so I was just dozing with my little lady. All of a sudden I jerked awake in a panic. The room started spinning and closing in on me. I pushed the nurse call button, but nobody was coming so I hollered at Tim to get someone as I was dying. All of a sudden the room was full of people and by then I was drenched in sweat. They couldn't get a blood pressure reading at all. The doctor grabbed an ultrasound machine and found lots of fluid in my abdomen which he was suspicious about it being blood. So off to the OR I was rushed. They went in through the same incision and found me full of blood. I lost pretty much all my bodies blood and was given 4 units in the operating room along with one unit of platelets. They found the source of bleeding which was a blood vessel that kept pulsing so each time my heart beat blood would pump into my abdomen. They got that sewed up and all the other oozing spots they stitched. The doctor said I was so full of scar tissue and that our decision to be done having babies was the best we could make! 
  I was sent to ICU where I would stay for the night and most of Saturday. Tim was able to stay with Kaaren in my room in the maternity ward so that made me feel better. I received a unit of plasma and two additional units of blood while in the ICU and that really helped to perk me up again! As of now I am still in the hospital and will be going home tomorrow. Kaaren is perfect but tiny weighing in at 5 lbs. 11.6 oz. and 18.5 inches long. She passed all the tests they had for her so could actually go home but will stay with me as my guest. 
  This was definitely not the way I thought our birth story would be and am so glad for the doctor that prepared for the worst. If he hadn't it could have ended a lot worse. I thank God for my doctor and the whole team that took care of me! On top of having major surgery twice I now have to recover from blood loss and transfusions so would love if you would all keep us in your prayers. And thanks to those that have been praying! 

In ICU, alive! 

Life giving blood

Finally made it back to the maternity ward!

Sweet sweet baby girl! 

Bruises... I don't even know when they did anything here...

She had her eyes open! 

Baby Week!

  Well, I can't believe it's already baby week and I have so much going on. Every day I have to be somewhere... Today I met with the anesthesiologist just to consult with him to get an idea of what will be going to happen. I had asked him and my OB about Reglan which I have heard can cause anxiety. (It is one of two medicines they give you to settle your stomach for surgery) That makes sense as the last two births I would be ok and all of a sudden start to panic and want to run down the hall away from the OR! So, anyway they both told me that I can just tell them I don't want it and I plan on doing that. Of course I am still nervous about the spinal, but if that is what had caused the severe panic before I am praying I can handle it this time! Would love your prayers too! I also got a small tour of the NICU just in case baby ends up there...
  The rest of this week I have another bpp ultrasound and have to have my blood drawn to be typed and screened so they can make sure they have enough blood and blood products available for me. I will be delivering in the main OR instead of the labor and delivery one as there they have fast access to everything just in case things go south... 
  Busy, busy, not to mention I have to bring Brandt in to get an abcessed tooth pulled and the Littles plus Laban are all getting colds again! If you could all just pray for me and my family this week it would be so appreciated! Thanks! Soon we will be meeting this little one who will complete our family! 

Saturday Fun

Today at the local grocery store/market they had the fire department come out to talk to the public about being prepared for wildfires. I know my Littles love firetrucks so Kirsten and I took the 3 youngest along with the dog to check it out. The Littles enjoyed seeing the firetruck and Brandt even sat in it. There was free hot dogs, chips, and water for lunch so that was great! The boys came home with coloring books, stickers, flashing lights, and info about fires. It was a fun short adventure for them!