Almost Done!

This is probably the last post I'll do before the twins are born. That is a strange thought... which might make this a super long one.

The past week has been very difficult. Not to sound like a downer, but here goes:

• ER visit Sunday (1/17) for the following problems: Began to lose sight on my right side, hands began to feel numb, then lost my speech. Everything I was trying to say ended up sounding like jibber-jabber. Very frustrating. I mostly couldn't read words and began to be confused. The whole "problem" lasted for 2 hours. By the time I got to the ER, it wasn't quite so bad. All my tests came back fine...healthy as can be. The doctor said it could have been a migraine without the headache (which is most likely), or it could be a stroke. If the symptoms come back, I am to go straight to the ER for a catscan and more tests.
• Got the hospital bill for my Idaho visit over Thanksgiving. $1200 with insurance covering only $150. I was charged for blood work, but they didn't take any blood. Also charged for 7 bags of IV fluid. Being how the IV ran for 5 hours, I don't think it's possible to have given me 7 bags. Talked with the insurance company for advice, and they are looking into it. Estimate of charges being looked at = $750.
  
• Mack was sick with food poisoning and didn't get much sleep, which didn't give me much sleep. Poor kid! He was so smart to ask if he could wear a diaper that day while I took him to the doctor. Very useful!!! I left the house with spare clothes, diapers, and wipes, which are things I haven't toted around for him in a year. He left the doctor's office wearing a t-shirt, socks, shoes, and a size 2 or 3 diaper.
• Wednesday had a NST and found out the girls had flipped, again. From my point of view, Lydia's head is below my ribs, with her body curving down and to the right. Addie is head in my right side, with her legs curving up under my ribs. This means c-section.

Once everything hit me, I had a minor breakdown and cried all day. Shortly after saying a prayer, my great friend, Elle, happened to check in on me. I unloaded on her and she was here to rescue me the very next day. She stayed a couple of nights. I don't think she realized how wonderful it was to have her here. The day before she left, my sister-in-law, Sara, called to see if I was okay. She'd had a dream about me and decided to come down here from Vernal for a couple of days. Once again, I really needed her's and RyLee's company. We had a BLAST playing Rock Band! I thought I was going to send myself into labor from laughing too hard. I am so amazed by the power of prayer. Heavenly Father truely inspired both Elle and Sara to call me and arrange to come for a visit.

Today I had another NST and an ultrasound in perinatology. Here's what I learned there:

• Both girls are still in a position where I will need to have a c-section.
• Lydia is weighing in a little under 6 lbs.
  
• Addie is weighing in around 6 lbs. 11 oz.
  
• If I haven't delivered by Feb. 5th, the doctor will deliver them. I will be at 38 weeks, which I've been told begins to comlicate things, if they don't come by that time.
• I was having contractions every 2 or 3 minutes during the NST.

So, I came home and tried to get the contractions to go away (which they didn't). They weren't anything painful, just annoying and frequent. After Chad got home from work, we decided I'd better go in to labor and delivery, just in case I was in labor. My doctor is out of town until Saturday and at this point a c-section is the only way to go. I was not happy to be there! Luckily, I am only dilated to 1cm, so I was sent home. However, I was told that I am going to have contractions from here on out. Even though they were every 2 minutes, it's just because my uterus is so big, it's trying to get the babies out. But, since the babies aren't head down, there isn't the pressure there to dilate me and send me in to true labor. The next few days are going to be heck! I just have to bare the contractions until something else happends that indicates I am in true labor, and then they will perform the dreaded c-section. That could be anytime. Another interesting thing I found out... The doctor on call is my least favorite doctor. Ever. I went to him back in 2004 and was totally unimpressed. Since then I have heard a lot of unpleasant stories about him that make me like him even less. I refuse to go to the hospital, again, until Saturday when Dr. Wold will be here.

So, not only am I completely uncomfortable from carrying two babies inside me, with over 12 pounds sitting on my pelvis which cause me to lose the ability to lift my legs (getting dressed and undressed is super painful), limbs kicking/punching my bladder, and lots of pressure on my lungs, I am now having contractions every few minutes that even wake me up at night, so I am also losing sleep. I have lost almost all mobility (except I can shuffle along to move from one location to another) and can't even stand long enough to simply make a sandwich without feeling like I am going to pass out from lack of oxygen and the inability to bear my weight properly. It's amazing how quickly I went down hill.

On a positive note (finally), I can STILL clip my toenails, carefully shave my legs (to the knee, only), get up off the floor (but it takes me longer to do, now), give Mack pretty tight hugs and maintain a little housework (although that is failing quickly). I have a total of 5 stretch marks, each one smaller than an inch, I don't have toxemia or preclampsia or swelling, really, at all, the babies are super healthy and I have never been put on bedrest. Also, I have made it to 37 weeks and could still keep going. I need to do something really nice for myself! Any suggestions?

I have a post started about Mack and the cute things he does, but I'll post that at a later time. He is a really great kid and I love him so much. He's been such a trooper through all of this and helps me out a lot! A large part of my success I owe to him for all the trips to get me water, take himself potty, let me take an uninteruped 2 hour nap frequently... the list goes on.

Of course there is Chad, too, who I can't even begin to thank for all the sacrifices and changes he has made through all of this. I have two wonderful boys in my life!

Practicing on Cocoa, his doll. He set everything up and spent a good 10 minutes "feeding" the baby. He even shares his slushes.

Update 34 1/2 Weeks

Yesterday I went to my regular doctor's appointment hoping to find out that I can have the babies, soon. Apparently, I am so healthy and doing so well. I get to wait it out. That's right, they are just going to let me suffer through the next month and let me go on my own. Grrrrr.

Of course, that is actually good news. The longer the babies stay in the womb, the healthier they'll be at birth. Which means a shorter stay in the hospital, higher success with breastfeeding, lower chance of being in the NICU, and sooner success getting them to sleep through the night.

My doctor is going out of town from the 23rd to the 30th. I was hoping to have them by then, but I guess that probably won't happen. I promised to rest a lot, so he could deliver them when he gets home. However, I do have an appointment with him on Thursday right before he leaves (maybe I'll be dilated and he'll start me... cross your fingers!) and then the day he gets back from vacation.

Now is the time to "complain," but I mostly write this so I can reflect on the feelings of a multiple pregnancy:

• I feel hot a lot, and can't even make it through a few seconds of NST's without feeling faint. I have to eat ice chips and sit in a chair for the majority of the test.
• My eyes seem to twitch a lot.
• Arms tingle and feel numb most of the time.
• Chest feels constricted. Last night Addie was wedged under my ribs. It hurt and I could NOT sleep.
  
• Stomach is heavy and feels stretched and tight most of the time.
• After I bend over for any length of time, I see spots whirling around.
• Lower back in pain often.
• In between shoulder blades I feel a sharp, intense pinching in my back.
• Pelvic bone... we won't even go there. It just hurts all the time.
• Babies' movements are not as fun as they used to be, because they hurt since there isn't a whole lot of room in there.
• At least 2 hours of nap time daily for me, while Mack entertains himself. He wakes me up if he needs me, though.
  

If it weren't for all these "ailments," I would want them to stay in a bit longer, because I realize the real work begins after their born. So, in a way, I guess it is a blessing that I feel so crummy.

I will post pictures soon of my big belly. Right now I measure at 39 weeks, so it's not too big. Also, I am becoming a member of the stretch mark club. I have three tiny ones, as in less than an inch long. But, they are there and can only get worse in the next few weeks.

Before I forget... Shaurie is throwing a shower for me, after the girls are born. So be ready to come meet them, enjoy yummy food, and a chance to win some door prizes!