It has been about one year since I have blogged. The last year has been a pretty interesting ride. From raising a now 15 month old, end and beginning a new career path, and even planting a new church with my husband in our hometown of Redford, MI.
To bring new and old readers up to speed I started blogging as a means to tell my story almost 4 years ago (approaching fast in February) when I was diagnosed at 25 years old with ovarian cancer. If you could imagine that was a pretty scary and unexpected diagnosis. During this period however I relied on faith, stood of God's promises and spent a lot of time in HIS word. It was then my vision not to simply tell my story but to bring light and awareness to other diseases that impact women of all ages. If you'd like to get caught up please take the time to read previous blog post for more in-depth information.
After my diagnosis I had other health scares such as Uterine cancer which is often linked to ovarian cancer. Once it was confirmed I did not have it my oncologist decided to kick things in high drive by sending me to a fertility specialist which you can also read about in previous post. After several failed cycles I was finally pregnant!! Even during that time there was a health scare with my baby and God simply reminded me to "Have Faith."
This in a nut shell will bring you up to speed and as promised during this Ovarian Cancer awareness month I wanted to share Hunter's (my 1 year old) birth story.
My due date was June 4th 2017. The week prior I was at the doctor office for what seemed like everyday. During the visit they strapped a heart monitor on and mentioned they was not getting much variation in the baby's heart. My doctor asked had he moved much that day and he hadn't. My doctor then had the ultrasound tech check for the baby and all appeared well though she was concerned with the little movement and non variable heart rate. Before leaving my doctor gave me a slip and said take this to the Fetal Monitoring Ward (where I had previously gone to check on my baby's heart) and have them do the heart rate monitor because their equipment was more professional grade than what she had in the office. My doctor then went on to say I do not want to take any chances as you are now so close to the end.
That Friday, my husband and I set off for my appointment. Upon arriving the first thing they did was took my blood pressure and it was abnormally high. The doctor was concerned about this and then they did the heart monitoring and much like a couple days before not much variation. They, like my doctor decided on an ultrasound and baby was moving so that eased some worry however the doctor was not satisfied. He mentioned coupled with my pressure and not much variation in the heart he wants me to check into the hospital. He said it didn't make sense to go home this close to my due date.
Oh no, we don't have our hospital bags or the car seat! We were not prepared for this at all!! The Fetal Monitoring Ward was on the same campus as the hospital I was planning on delivering at so we just drove around the parking lot to the entrance were I was escorted up in a wheelchair. Upon arriving on the 3rd floor for labor and delivery the nurses knew who I was and was expecting me as the doctor already called and gave them a heads up. They informed me I would get checked in and begin inducing me.
They of course checked my cervix and whether I had diluted and I believe at that time perhaps only to 1cm. They decided they would induce me with some form of pill that would be entered vaginally to jumpstart the labor. As I had previously stated I was not prepared for this appointment and I hadn't eaten so I inquired whether I could eat as I figured I wouldn't expect Hunter until the following day. The nurse said they would check with my doctor and let me know. I got the go ahead and ordered room service. What I later learned was that they allowed me to eat though its usually against policy is that they were hoping to see some variation in baby's heart once I ate. This of course did not work out as planned. There simply was not much movement.
A nurse came back in a few hours later and told me they would be checking if I dilated any more and I should expect my next pill. It was at this time my husband decided to leave and go home to get our things as my mother along with his had arrived.
Shortly after he left I began getting concerned as the time neared and the nurse was nowhere to be found about the time she said I could expect her. Well, in walks another nurse with a sheet of paper that required my signature. She informed me my doctor was on her way and they decided because even after eating the baby wasn't moving much to just do a cesarean section. I was then worried and had a ton of questions. Mainly, was my baby ok? They informed me I had no reason to worry and that it wasn't an emergency it was just best. Shortly after my doctor walks in and noticed my husband was not there. She said he needed to get back as they were ready to begin prepping me for my now 3rd surgery. My mother in law contacted my husband who hadn't even made it home due to the after work rush hour traffic and he swiftly turned around and got back in what seemed like only minutes.
I recall the anesthesiologist coming to the door and confirming if I had eaten at only 2p and everyone confirmed and he pushed back and said he did not want to do cesarean. My doctor in so many words told him he had no choice. That was the day I learned who was really in control. My doctor and the team who was going in with her stood around my bed joined by hands and they prayed before rolling me off to prepare for surgery. This is just one of the many reasons I love my doctor. She is a believer and even in regards to treatment for her patients she is led by God.
This surgery was unlike the others because I was completely awake as someone cut me open. You can hear the doctors/nurses engage in conversation and it was just quite odd. I didn't know what to think so I closed my eyes as my husband held tightly to my hand.
After some time I heard the best sound ever, it was the sound of a crying baby. Though I never experienced him laying on my chest like most new moms because he apparently stopped/slowed down breathing I was all the while happy he was alive and breathing. A nurse came over to explain after they cleaned him up he would be going to the nursery to be monitored. They did bring him over to my husband and I wrapped in a blanket and hat as they were taking him out. We both smiled at him and called his name. Believe it or not he smiled back at us and that was the best and reassuring feeling that he would be ok.
After, I was stitched back up I was rolled into another room where nurses helped me manually pump into a syringe as they would feed Hunter with it in the nursery. After doing so a nurse returned back and said he took the milk just fine, he has already had a bowel movement and his breathing is normal. She said if it wasn't against hospital policy to monitor them for at least 2 hours he would be right here with me, he doesn't need to be there at all she said. My miracle baby was just fine and based off photos and videos I received later he was already the star of the show. Hunter was born Friday, June 2nd at 8:53pm.
Though things did not go as planned we have learned God's plans are so much better and we must rely on Him as His Grace is sufficient.
We couldn't be happier with Mr. Hunter and are so thrilled to be his parents. :)
Stay tuned for additional updates and post!!
