On November 21, 2008 I went in for what it thought would be a quick in and out prenatal visit which turned into a 6 day hospital stay that was a rollercoaster all on its own. I was admitted to labor and delivery following my appointment for my urine protein count and blood pressure readings. I had been suspected of having preeclampsia previously but with having pseudo tumor cerebri which carries the same symptoms they were unsure. Finally at this appointment it was confirmed that in fact it was preeclampsia and it was taking a turn for the worst. I was monitored for the day in labor and delivery and then admitted that night for a 24 hour urine analysis. On Sunday November 23, 2008 in the morning the doctor came in while doing rounds to let me know that my protein level was 3x over the limit and would have to have Miley as soon as they got my 4 steroid shots in me. The steroid shots were to progress the development of her lungs since she would be born 7 weeks premature. That afternoon my blood pressure shot up 200/100 and I was taking a turn for the worst. With a sudden headache, my edema had gotten a lot worse; my tongue was even swelling again along with my throat. They rushed me back down to labor and delivery where they would monitor me again till I got my last steroid shot. I was started on Magnesium Sulfate to keep me from having a seizure (from brain swelling), since I started showing the signs with the sudden headache and major facial swelling. The magnesium sulfate helped pause everything a lot with the addition of that they also went a head and started my contractions with the fear I was going into eclampsia they wanted to speed the delivery up. Monday morning (November 24, 2008) about 4 am I received the epidural to have everything set in place incase I needed to be rushed into emergency c-section and to help manage the pain from the Pictocin drug (contraction medication). That night I was given my last steroid shot at 9:00 pm, and at 9:30 pm they broke my water and upped the Pictocin so my contractions would become more regular and bring on labor. Miley hadn’t dropped yet so the doctors and nurses feared when they broke the water she would drop after the umbilical cord which would have sent us into emergency mode. Yet again God answered our many prayers, which we had for him. I was going in and out from the Magnesium-Sulfate it was causing me to be sleepy and I was already worn out from the lack of sleep I was getting there. Finally at 2:30 I began to have the urge to push and all these nurses and doctors for me (about 5 doctors just for me) and millions that came to tend to Miley. Then at 2:38 AM with ½ a push our beautiful little girl finally entered the world. When she came out and the cord was cut she screamed and made her presence known. After holding her for a minute or two she had to then be taken up stairs to the NICU to be admitted and monitored.
Miley’s first nurse Caitlin took some pictures of Miley for me to see since they didn’t think I would be in any condition to go see her for a few days. But yet again my prayers were answered that afternoon and I was united with my precious little angel. Miley was known as “peanut” through out the NICU. When first seeing her I wasn't sure what to think, or what to say for that matter. Of course the waterworks started and I couldn’t bear leaving after seeing her but after having a child I needed my rest and to be lying down. To make matters worse the Magnesium-Sulfate was making me feel as though I had the flu. I was taken back up the women’s floor that afternoon to recover and get some rest.
Miley began having fluid pockets between her lungs and chest wall on November 27th she was then diagnosed with pneumothorax and had a needle inserted to draw the fluid and air off the lung.
On November 28th 2008 Miley’s pneomothorax came back worse and her lung had collapsed so they ended up putting a chest tube in. That night was one of the hardest for us out of our NICU stay, Miley’s stats were not looking good; her blood pressure readings were low, her oxygen was low, her respirations were to fast, and her heart rate kept dropping.
November 29th 2008 was the most surprising day and showed that miracles do exist we came in to a baby with no oxygen tubes and that same day the chest tube came out and we were then able to hold our Angel.
After having a good full day on November 30th 2008 my mother (Miley’s Grandma), Albert (Miley’s Father) and I were able to hold her for a few before they put her back to rest and get stronger. We made it through the first week full of rocky hills but we always came out on the greener side of the mountain. Miley did have a problem with jaundice but that was solved with the bill Rubin light, they did think they would need to do a blood transfusion but our prayers were answered. The NICU doctors said that once we get through the rough patches things only get better from there and that was the truth……….
