Week 18

First, I want to let you know I think you can now follow this blog.  In the top right corner there is a button that says Join this site, I think if you click it you can now receive and e-mail when I update.  If that is not the case let me know and I will keep working on it. As always if you want to skip all my thoughts and such you can scroll down to the bottom where it says Baby update.

So, we had to wait two weeks to see what was happening, and man two weeks with this kind of issue is a LONG time to wait.  Before I get down to business I want to let everyone know that Clifford and I  have officially been married for 5 months!!!  Just so you all know, I married the best man I know.  I am so thankful for him everyday.  The more we walk through this life together I am certain that all the waiting for God's choice in a husband was worth it.  He has had to serve me in a way I know many men would not be able to do during the first 5 months of marriage.  Waiting on me, cooking most meals, doing laundry and putting it away, setting up and cleaning our house and trying to do this to my liking.  Dealing with my aversions, sickness, and crying :( Spending countless hours in bed cause that is where I am most days, talking, laughing,  watching T.V. and movies cause there isn't much more to do together on bed rest! And most importantly loving me and leading me spiritually during the most difficult thing I have had to deal with in my life so far.   And he has done this with a  kindness, grace and love that I am thankful for daily!  Clifford Moore I love you more everyday and thank you for how you have changed my life.  You are my greatest hero!  Happy 5 month anniversary!

Wow, what a whirlwind it has been, if I think back to a year ago, I sometimes think "Who's life is this?"  This time last year I was coming down from one of the worst experiences I thought I would go through. I mean a 9.0 earthquake, just having had knee surgery less than 12 hours before, not walking yet or standing for that matter. And being alone in a hospital where I couldn't speak the language. At this time last year I was coming down from my post traumatic stress from that, and man was it hard.  Now this year I am laying here wondering what will happen to the babies in my belly....I guess this is life's many up's and down's. The only thing that stays the same is the Love of God, and His sacrifice for us.

Romans 8:37-39 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Thank you Lord for your never ending Love!
  
Baby Update
Well Dr. S had the day off, I wasn't too happy about this.  I will be making sure that all future appointments will be done when he is working.

I lost weight, only about a pound but it is a little frustrating not being able to gain weight. And honestly I thought I was eating a lot more in the last two weeks.  Not sure if this will change or if it is a big issue but, I just always assumed that if you were pregnant with twins by 18 weeks I would have gained more than 5 lbs.

It was a little hard for me to follow everything that the doctor saw and said.  I guess we have a kind of routine with Dr. S and this Dr kept trying to talk to us in broken English even though we had a translator and then when he did use the translator it was all very fast :(

Baby A still had a good amount of fluid I think between 2.5 and 2.8 cm.  The baby was moving all around waving hands and moving legs...so cute.  Head measurements were right on target 18 wks 2 days.  Heart beat sounded good, but the doctor couldn't figure out how to find out the actual hb number- very unimpressed!

 Baby B looked about the same.  No measurable fluid and in a very scrunched position.  He actually stayed on baby B for awhile, which Dr S never does.  It was very hard for me.  I was crying but held it together and didn't go into the ugly cry if you know what I mean.  Maybe this is why I didn't really follow what he was saying closely.  It is really really hard to see my baby like that.  It's hb was also strong but not sure what the rate was. I don't remember this but Clifford said that when he measured the head for a growth scan that Baby B was still at 16 wk and a couple days.  So no growth.  I am not sure what this means but will talk with Dr. S next week about it.

My blood test came back with really bad results.  My white blood cell was the highest it has been and CRP was elevated to almost a 3.  This is a very bad sign of infection.  At first the doctor suggested that they give me oral antibiotics and if it didn't work then next week they would do IV antibiotics.  But I told him I wanted the most aggressive approach so he gave me the IV and sent me home with oral meds for a week.  The thing is starting Wednesday night, I started leaking A LOT.  I am keeping an eye on it today.  There is nothing that looks like an infection and I also don't have a fever so these are both a plus, but I am pretty concerned. Also, Wednesday night it felt to me like I might be having contractions, but it stopped after about 11/2 hrs so I really don't know.  I think Friday morning we will call and see if Dr. S wants to see us.  The truth is if I have had another rupture there is nothing they can do, so I am not sure going in will be beneficial.

Sadly, not the best news to share. Please continue to pray.  Pray for this infection, that is would vanish and for the fluid levels.  It is amazing the emails and actually letters that have come to us in Japan.  Thank your all the encouragement and prayers really do help to know others are in this battle with us.  Also, please pray for my dearest friend Carey, this is going to be a hard week for her and her husband.  Last year, this week she lost her three boys to this exact same situation. Pray that God would cover them in love.

Blessings to you this week!
Danielle