Wednesday, October 28, 2009

The Dreaded "A" Word...

"...we're going to have to admit you today..." Sigh. We didn't want to hear that a-word...

That was the bottom line at today's appointments; Kristin's cervix continues to shorten, and they would like to monitor her more closely at the hospital. I think Kristin and I would agree that we expected it at some point, but we always hope for the best, trying hard to be optimistic...

Nevertheless, in the hospital she goes, on strict bed rest - she can walk to the washroom and shower, that's it. Poor woman is going to go stir crazy with all that boredom!

We would also agree that it's comforting to have such a thorough medical system so close to home - we're fortunate that one of the leading children's hospitals is so close to home. They take good care of us, and we're confident in their judgment and recommendations.

We also got some news about gestational diabetes; Kristin's sugars are high, which happens to most mothers of multiples (or so we were told). They'll modify her diet and consider using insulin if necessary.

So the house is quiet as I type... I can hear the cat pawing at his food and the dog is snoring on the couch beside me. The house won't be quiet for long...

I've chatted with a few people today who asked for things they can pray for, so I'll leave you with a few of our prayers that you can add to your list if you'd like.

First, pray for Kristin and the babies' health - hospitals are good places to be, but it's also where sick people go, and H1N1 is the talk of the town these days. Pray for good health, and pray that those babies keep 'baking' for another 6-7 weeks!

You can also pray for me, if I may humbly ask... I work with lots of kids and families, and the flu is going around in many schools in the area. I've been feeling well until this evening - just within the last hour I've been fighting the urge to cough. I've been taking every precaution I can (and am getting quite paranoid as I do so); I take my temperature at obsessive-compulsive frequency, a bottle of hand sanitizer is never more than 10 feet away, I'm poppin' Vitamin C like nobody's business and even using a Neti Pot (it's a weird idea, but I'm told it's effective... google it if you're so inclined...). I also gargle Listerine several times a day... all these measures to try to keep the germs at bay. I started hockey last week (which is a story unto itself), so I'm hoping my urge to cough has more to do with all the exercise at the rink (breathing in all that cold air) than the swine flu.. time will tell, but so far no fever or other symptoms... pray please!

Pray that Kristin's doesn't lose her marbles in the hospital; while it's a good place to be medically, it's also a boring place to be. Her new roommate has been very amiable today and is helping by sharing magazines and letting Kristin know what the routines are, where to get juice, and so on. It can also be a noisy place because, after all, it is a maternity ward; we're told it can be hard to get good sleep because of crying babies...

One more (I'm alternating here, if you've noticed the pattern...), pray for stamina - I need to balance time between hospital, work and home - I need to be with Kristin, but have to earn my paycheck and save my vacation and sick time for when the babies' are born; we also have pets that need attending, and keeping poor Gus caged up all day and all evening is hard... pray that I can find a good balance and that I can get good sleep and eat well (which is increasingly hard to do when there are so many places to be...)

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your support, prayers, phone calls, and encouragements. You have all been so helpful and supportive, and this experience would be soooo much more difficult if it weren't for friends and family.... we can't express how truly blessed we are.

We enjoy the comments, so please keep 'em coming! Goodnight....

8 comments:

Rachel said...

Don't worry - meals on Yaris wheels delivers to hospitals! Provided they approve of us leaving food in the fridge for her.
You guys are such troopers! Maybe I can find my game boy for her...
Does that mean no more belly shots? :(
xoxoxoxoxo

Jodi.C said...

We're anticipating any sliver of time we can ekk out with you guys over the holidays. Praying for you and your lovely wife (and team of babies).

All the best, and warm wishes coming from the cold north.

Anonymous said...

Thinking of all of you and praying for those prayer requests. This will all be worth it when you finally hold your precious little ones! Hang in there! ~ Jen B

Sue said...

I was waiting for this update after Marlene's call last night. My "team" of prayer warriors around the world are busy with your requests.

Uncle Doug swears by the Neti-pot and I have to say, it does work wonders (if people can get past the running hot water from one nostril to the next). And oh my... does Gus EVER snore! I was shocked at how loud he is - lol

Is Krissy allowed to have visitors, Paul? Let me know if she can because I could go spend some time with her next week - I'm off Mon-Wed & Thur afternoon if she needs some company & any reading material or electronic entertainment. I also have a mini DVD player if that would help. Let me know!

Love you all & am praying super hard!!
XO

Cathie said...

In light of the situation, the hospital IS the very best place to be. This is deja vu for our family. Melissa followed almost the same pattern, and by staying in hospital, carried to the optimal 34 weeks. We'll keep praying, and hope to visit Kristin too. She is doing the very best for those babies!

Carolyn said...

Is it helpful for you to drop Gus off for a 'play date' with Pepper? I'm not quite on the way but not too far off the path either. Glad to hear those babies are still staying in there....as much as they try to escape! Love you guys....and keep praying for everyone!

Anonymous said...

We will keep praying...thanks for being more specific. Keep the blog going (with pics of big tummies too), and know that you guys are doing the best thing for those precious gifts from the Lord.

The Ferrier Family

Cathy W. said...

Sad to hear the "A" word so soon as we were looking forward to bringing you BOTH dinner at home on Nov. 9th but I will try to get some meals for ONE put together for you Paul . I'm hoping and praying that Kristin will still be allowed visitors by the time we make it up to Canada!!! Does Kristin have a phone that she can be "visited" on?

Many prayers are going up from N.C. for ALL of you ! This adventure just gets tougher & tougher as you approach the time of the BLESSINGS & REWARDS arrivals !!! It will be SOOOOOO worth it all! LOTS OF LOVE, Aunt Cathy