Originally Posted By iamsally A little background. My daughter lives in the Seattle area and is expecting June 17. My other daughter’s in-laws live in Vancouver WA. I have been planning to come up here at the end of May for some time now. Soooooooooooooooooooo………….I do not make the 16+ hour drive, non stop, alone anymore. I used to do it all the time but now I get too tired and have to stop at a hotel. I was looking at airfares for DH to come up when the baby is born and Southwest has $49 from Oakland to SeaTac. Lowest I have ever seen. So, I get the idea to have him drive up with me, spend a few days with the grandkids and then fly back. It would be cheaper than the hotel and more pleasant for me. Then I thought that maybe my daughter would like to go up to see her sister. So, I asked her to come along instead of hubby who is flying up on the 10th anyway. She is just finishing finals. Her husband agrees to watch the kids (9,7 and 3). This is going to be such a fun getaway for us. I get packed a day early. Everything is running like clockwork. I get up at 6AM Wednesday, picked up DD and away we went; right on schedule. One and a half hours out: call from DD’s DH. His mom (in Washington) is in the hospital. Maybe a heart attack. Wheels in heads start turning. Do we go back and get him and the kids? Do we pull over and wait for them to catch up. Does he wait to see how serious it is? (This is a family known for drama and exaggeration.) We keep going and wait for more news. 11AM: Maybe a stroke 1 PM: A pinched nerve (Everyone breaths a sigh of relief.) 3 PM: Possible pulmonary embolism 5 PM: A blood clot At six PM we pull into Eugene for some dinner. Before we can get out of the car, DD gets yet another call. My pregnant daughter is crying incoherently on the other end. She has just gotten back blood work that had numbers so off that they had thought it had to be a mistake. Second tests confirmed the first. She’s even more anemic than she was to spite all the iron she has been given. She has preeclampsia and if they do not like what they see on Friday they want to induce on the weekend. NOW, I do not care what your personal opinions are on this matter; she is devastated. It means a hospital birth. With possible complications requiring much medical intervention. (We do not believe that pregnant women are sick and avoid medical intervention.) She is a professional birthing coach (doula) and had her last baby in a very laid back birthing center and was planning to have this one at home. My daughter is not stupid and will do whatever is medically necessary for her and the baby. Having experienced the trauma of an emergency Csection (after preparing for the *alternative* birthing room with the low lights, soft music and king sized bed) with my 4th I know the cyclone of emotions that come with having your birthing plan go amiss. And no amount of people saying, “A healthy mom and healthy baby is what is important.” can make it feel any better. So, hear we sit, worried about her but glad that we are on our way to her side. We sigh and go in to have some dinner. Text message: “Mom has a blood clot in her neck and has had a stroke.” We have to stop by the hospital and see just what is going on. We get to Vancouver around 10PM. We have to be escorted to the room due to the late hour. Mom-in-law is looking pretty good (due to drugs and blood thinners getting some oxygen to her brain no doubt) but she is gravely ill. She has had a series of mini strokes, has a blood clot and has to have surgery in the morning. We are finally back on the road at 11PM. Three more hours to go. We are now so punch drunk that we are laughing and joking about how much *fun* we have had on our relaxing road trip. We finally pull into Renton to hugs and tears. Of course we cannot stop talking and I am forced to say, “Ladies, I am going to bed.” around 3AM. Right now it is the waiting game. The MIL is having her surgery tomorrow morning. She is not in good general health so it will be risky at best. My son-in-law is enroute now with the three kids. DD has more tests and evaluations tomorrow. Needless to say; we are all in need of prayers and positive thoughts and Pixie dust. We are trying to help DD relax and do the things that can help improve her blood pressure.
Originally Posted By SoThisIsLove Don't want to scare you with my very personal story. You all have absolutely *ALL* my prayers today for your DD and grandchild, on up until the successfully delivery. As you know, delivery is the only "cure" for preeclampsia. And you have my number, still, I hope, if you ever need to talk.
Originally Posted By SoThisIsLove (oh, and of course these prayers are for the whole lot of you......wow......there is so much on your plate right now....hang in there xoxo)
Originally Posted By smedley Ditto for me many good thoughts and best wishes for all the things that must happen over the next few days!!
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 Many loving and healthy thoughts are being sent up north for your daughter and her sweet baby. Healing thoughts are also being sent for your son-in-law's mother and your entire family. Huge hugs for you Ruthie. I hope you are doing OK.
Originally Posted By yekcim iamsally, I hope everything works out for you and everyone in your family on all fronts. Sorry for your daughter's disappointment over the birth-style. Lots of pixie dust for happy endings and the smoothest possible transitions to all of the bumps that life is throwing your family right now.
Originally Posted By Mary Poppins My goodness! You're were thrust into a very stressful situation. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Originally Posted By ophellia Add my prayers too...I can only imagine the confusion and fear you and your daughter and family must be going through...Do we know the gender or name of the baby we are playing for? Sounds silly but knowing my baby was a son and knowing the bname I chose for him really helped me focus in the 16th hour...
Originally Posted By iamsally Thank you everyone. Things seem so normal right now that it is hard to believe anything could be wrong. My son-in-law is grilling chops, I made salad, daughter roasting potatoes. The other son-in-law made it to Vancouver to see his mom. The kids are no worse for ware and now can play with their cousins. (Lots of video games and satelite TV, they'll be in hog heaven.) But tomorrow everything will be exposed. It could all turn out fine or it could hit the fan. And all we can do is wait and keep ourselves occupied so we don't think about it too much. I may have two glasses of wine tonight instead of my usual one.
Originally Posted By rtjl72 but really, those words of having a healty baby and having mom well after the delivery are more than just words. i could share a few dozen stories of not so happy things from my current patient list. their roller coaster rides started with a challening health status at birth. i pray for everyone's health and well being. the joy is in the birth of a blessing from god. that alone is more miraculous and astounding than any atmosphere that can be contrived. i think one of our very own lps would take the brightest and loudest room on this earth just to have his little angel back with him. good luck and good health with god watching over. i hope tomorrow is all you want it to be.
Originally Posted By ShivaThDestroyer As usual, I'm at a loss for words. This was the last thing I expected to read when I came on LP tonight. You know that you and your entire family are in our thoughts and prayers. For all practical purposes you, rhodri and the kids are our family too. You know that Tinkeroon and I would do anything for you and if you need anything at all we're just a phone call away. Sending all our love. prayers and good thoughts your way. We love you guys.
Originally Posted By iamsally We all know that having a healthy baby and mom is the most important thing. Nobody needs to say it. But that does not mean it is not normal and even okay to be angry, depressed and to need to grieve when things go awry. This often gets overlooked and the mother (and others) end up stuffing their feelings because they are afraid others will judge them. But right now we are just praying for a positive outcome for all members of both families. I have dealt with many tragedies in my life. Right now we just hope things do not get any worse and maybe even get better. I will keep you all posted. Thank you all for caring.
Originally Posted By u k fan I'm sending lots of good thoughts your way and I have everything but my typing fingers crossed for a good outcome.
Originally Posted By Labuda Oh, my! I'm sorry your family is having to endure this added stress right now at what should be a happy time. Many thoughts and prayers and good wishes heading from me to you & yours, sally!
Originally Posted By disney pete Im wishing for a very positive outcome on all fronts here (((hugs for you all)))
Originally Posted By JazzCat Oh sweetie, I am definitely sending prayers for you all. Since it's the weekend, if you need a hand to hold outside of the family, give me a call and I'll make the drive over.
