Well, it has been a while since I have been online or Pleo. A lot has happened since my last entry. I was very sick and it wasnt getting any better so I was admitted to the hospital for about a week and there they decided I needed to be fed intravenously so they inserted a PICC line. PICC stands for "Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter". Basically it is an IV that needs to go in a bigger vein in order to feed me for a prolonged period of time. They inserted it in my left arm and the line went through the vein and stopped right above my heart. It was scary when they put it in but was pretty painless.
After that was inserted I began to be fed through my line. After I was released from the hospital I went and got training on how to set up my TPN (total parenteral nutrition)at home. There were many things I had to learn but after the first time of doing it by myself I had it down. I had to mixed my "food" with vitamins and other medications I needed, then attach it to my pump. I was attached to the pump "eating" for 15 hours a day which was very difficult for me. A nurse came once a week to change my dressing and clean my arm where the line was.
About 2 months of having my PICC line in, I had surgery to fix the complication I had in my stomach. After my surgery I was able to drink liquids and eventually I was able to eat. My Mom was there for my surgery and I couldnt have gotten through it without her. I was in a lot of pain from the surgery, it was a laparoscopic surgery and I eventually healed. About two weeks after my surgery they removed my PICC line from my arm. I thought I was in the clear.
Unfortunetly... what a lot of people didnt know is that I was also 5 months pregnant. We didnt tell a lot of people because I had a misscarriage earlier this year and I wasnt sure about the pregnancy and my surgery or illness. I didnt know nor my doctors knew if it would harm the baby.
After my surgery we found out that the down syndrome test I took came back irregular so I went in for a second ultrasound to get a better look at the baby and get more precise measurements. During the ultrasound I knew something wasnt right when the lady was looking at the screen. She also called for a doctor and another specialist. Then we got very bad news that the baby wasnt in the best condition. They saw a lot of issues that concerned them besides the down syndrome, our baby had severe hydrocephalus (which is water in the brain), a hole in his heart, and one more thing was involving his spine. I dont remember a lot, all I remember are the horrible words that was being told to me. "Your baby probably wont live much longer, he will not survive, and prepare yourself".
We scheduled to have an amniocentesis done for the week after. This is where they stick a needle in your belly and take fluid from the amniotic sac. There is a 50% chance that you may miscarry after the procedure (so I was told). We decided to go ahead and keep our appointment. The amniocentesis would tell us a lot of things, including information for future preganancies.
I went in on Tuesday the 21st of October (our wedding anniversary) for the amnio and the doctor couldnt find a heartbeat. Our baby had gone up to be with God. My husband and I knew that this was a possibility and I hadnt felt any movement the day before so we prepared ourselves. I went to labor and delivery to start the process. Our good friends Josh and Katie watched Preston for us overnight. I delivered our son the next day at 6:30 in the morning. We knew he was a boy, we named him Dylan Sebastian Reid. Of course this has been very difficult to go through. It all happened very fast. It has been 2 weeks now and I am finally able to talk about it. I feel comforted knowing that my baby is with God and with my other loved ones who have passed. He doesnt have to suffer and never will.
Our brothers and sisters in Christ have been very supportive here and we are so blessed to have such a giving congregation at Waipahu. Everyone was so willing to send cards, food, flowers and we are very grateful. We couldnt have made it through these last two weeks without God and our Christian family.
I do feel very sad here. I think I need a new environment for a while, I have been ill for the last 4 months and I am sick of being in bed. I am mentally very drained and I feel like a need a break from here. Its too sad to be here right now. Today Preston and I are flying to Texas and we will visit my family at least until January if not longer, it depends if my husband deploys or not. My doctor medically said I am well enough to go home. She thinks it will be good for my mental state too. I am sad that my husband will not be able to come now but he will fly there for the Holidays. Our son Preston is taking this very hard but he is very sweet. He made sure all of his friends at school knew that his brother is in Heaven with God. He talks to his brother a lot and he draws pictures of our family with Dylan in them still. We havent gotten the results back from the amnio test but I will post an update about that later. I know this will be a very long and hard process but our Faith keeps us strong and we will endure this trial. I also feel comforted sharing my heartaches with my fellow Christians. Please continue to pray for me and my family. Thank you.
We love you sweetie! You guys have been in our hearts and prayers throughout this awful time. We're so sad that we didn't get to know your precious Dylan, but we know we will see him some day.
Oh, Brooke. I had no idea you were going through this, as obviously per your request. I'm so sorry - you have been through MORE than your share! I'm so sorry little Dylan didn't make it here, and I'm sorry for your aching arms. We all know he is safe in the arms of Jesus, but it's okay to feel and reel from the pain of losing him. I think your coming to Texas is a wonderful idea and I hope to get to see you.
God bless you as you take time to grieve. Take your time, weep and continue writing. We care.
So sorry to hear about your little boy. I just got home from visiting with Katie and Roree. I'm sorry I didn't get to see you but I know you are happy to be with your family at this time. You are in my prayers.
I havent been feeling well this week. I am having a problem keeping food down and I get lightheaded and dizzy when I stand up. I am going to the doctor on Thursday if not sooner and it's the worst week to be sick. My husband's birthday is on Tuesday and Preston's birthday is on the 22nd. I am also trying to get Preston ready for school. I can't believe he is already starting school. Last month he lost his first two teeth and I cried about that so who knows how I will be when he starts school. Luckily, I am fortunate enough to be able to stay at home so I will be at the school a lot doing volunteer stuff, plus the school is on base. Well, please keep me in your prayers. I am losing weight and its not a heathly way to do it. I will update you when I can.
Hey sis! Just know I love you and your in my prayers. Just do whatever you have to do to be a healthy wife for your hubby and a healthy mother for your son. Love Moses
Ok, I don't peronally read GQ but I did this month. There is an article about my husband, Ben's, unit and it is very interesting. He works in JPAC and they are solely responsible for reserching and recovering missing people of past conflicts. If you wanted it read more about it, check it out:
I really enjoyed the tour of Ben's job. It was so interesting how they research and recover the MIA's. I am so proud of my intellegent son in law. As you know, I love him very much!
My husband and I had a very quick "military wedding" before he went back to Iraq in my father's backyard so we decided to renew our vows. We are having the ceremony on the beach on JUNE 21st. That is coming up very quickly. My whole family is flying to Hawaii to be there and some of my best friends as well. We are going to have a blast but it is VERY stressful getting everything together. I am in "crunch time" or whatever you say. Luckily, my SIL HD will be here early to help out. Her and the kids will be here on Wednesday. We are very excited about them coming early. So, although I havent been able to get on pleo a lot, I do enjoy getting on late when everyone is asleep and reading other people's blogs... he he.
Thats all for now, I will update when I get a chance.
PS... I am so jealous that MY MOM went to see THE CURE with my brother and I did not... plus she is rubbing it in my face, MEANIE!
Ok, I gave in and joined. The last of the girls in my family to do so.
About me: I am married with one child. My husband Ben, is in the Marines and we are stationed in Hawaii on Oahu. We live on Hickam Air Force Base. We have been here since Januaury and before that we were in California but Texas will always be our home. We attend Leeward Church of Christ in Waipahu and we love our congregation. The people there are pretty amazing. Our son Preston will be 5 in July and he is a blessing in our lives. I am very close to my family and I am excited about them coming to see us in June. I stay at home with my son and I am thankful that I can be there for him whenever he needs me. Looking forward to talking on pleonast.
Hi Brook. I hope you and Katie and the children are getting together some. What a wonderful place to be. I can't wait until we can come over for a visit. I love Hawaii. By the way I am Aimee's grandma.
