A visit to the hospital

So, we're expecting baby number three and I am as sick as a dog. I'm not sure where that phrase came from or how it applies, but, nevertheless, I am sick. I finally decided to go to the hospital after I hadn't eaten anything in days and yet my body was still trying to reject my stomach contents. Plus, I know when my body won't last much longer because I had the same problem during my pregnancy with Sterling, but less severe. With Sterling I was hospitalized for rehydration and nausea control at 15 weeks. I went in with this one at 8. So, I spent the night in the ER, or I guess the morning, (1:00) and they gave me some fluids and Zofran, a fantastic anti-emetic, but when the second bag was done, I was still sick. So, they admitted me to the hospital to run some tests and get things under control. After extensive blood work, (I swear they drew six times!) it was determined that my thyroid is not functioning properly, so they did more tests to find out why. I have hyperthyroidism caused by pregnancy which causes hyperemesis.

Now I am on thyroid medication to try to control it and one of the side affects is nausea and vomiting!! Of course that would be the side effect I get from it. So, I am also on Zofran which is the strongest anti-nausea drug available and I still have days when I can't keep anything down. Yes, I am complaining. I know there are people in the world who would give anything to just be able to have a baby of their own, and I do symphathize with them, but I really don't like throwing up and not being able to take care of my family.

But, in an effort to see the Lord's hand in my daily life, I have been able to learn some very valuable lessons from this. One, I was born on this earth at this time so I could have my family and fulfill that role in my life. I know full well that if it were not for modern medicine I would not be alive. I would have died in my pregnancy with Sterling. I know that seems extreme, but my kidneys had shut down and my potassium was so low that if there had not been medical intervention my heart would have stopped. Second, I need to take help when and where it is offered. I've needed to learn this lesson for a long time but I'm pretty stubborn and now I've been forced to. Since we are living with my parents I've absolutely had to depend on them to take care of the boys and they have been so great about it. If I weren't living here I'm sure I'd still be trying to do it on my own even when it was impossible. Finally, that the Lord has a timeline for us that we don't understand. This is not a new lesson but it will always be a valuable one for me. If we had gotten the house we had originally wanted I wouldn't have been in the right position to learn lesson two. Now, if all goes well, we should be into our new house right at the end of the first trimester when my body should get a handle back on itself.

So, in the end, even with all the complaining, I have a lot to be grateful for. I know that I am greatly loved and watched over and that everything will work out. I guess the last lesson I need to learn from this is patience. I'll always be working on that.

Sarah