If you would like to start at the beginning of the story, click here.
(My Second Near Death Experience)
My dad went with me and we waited in the doctor’s office for what seemed like hours. When I finally got in to see my doctor, I could tell instantly that she was concerned. I asked her if I was having a stroke, which was the only thing that I could think of. She said that was definitely a possibility, but that she thought it could be Bell’s Palsy. Then she got down in my face and with compassion said, “I am not sure exactly what is going on with your face, but you also have preeclampsia. I am going to go fill out the orders to have you admitted to the hospital immediately. When you get there, you will see a neurologist, and he will probably want to do a CAT scan.”
I had no idea what Bell’s Palsy was. I had heard of preeclampsia. I knew it had something to do with high blood pressure and usually women were hospitalized in pregnancy and induced. To experience it after the birth of a baby is extremely rare, I found out. What was dangerous in my case was that they didn’t catch it right away because my blood pressure didn’t get unusually high, although it was high for me.
I called my husband from my little room at the doctor’s office and told him what the doctor had said. His answer that he will never live down was, “Okay, so you think I should get off work a little early?” At least now I do laugh about it!
I said, “Jason, your wife has just told you that she may have had a stroke or some other thing called Bell’s Palsy and also has preeclampsia and that the doctor is filling out the paper work to admit her to the hospital and you MIGHT want to get off work a little early? No. You need to come right now!”
Since I had waited in the lobby for so long I missed lunch, the doctor told me that it would probably take the hospital about an hour to have my room ready for me and told me to go eat lunch somewhere close. My dad and I drove to a sandwich place nearby. Dad wasn’t hungry, but for some reason I remember sitting there eating that sandwich, feeling conspicuous with the left side of my face not functioning properly.
I love your new header – what great shots!
I had preeclampsia too. It’s no fun.
My husband would’ve probably said the same thing – men!
Oh no I can’t even begin to imagine what was going through your head with all of these possibilities, and you must have been worried sick.
A little something for you.
Glad that Dad was there for you.
I remember standing in the er with amniotic fluid streaming down my leg and thinking can’t someone see me? Why would I have amniotic fluid flowing down my leg since I am only 23 weeks pregnant? It seems so surreal but no one notices!
I’ve skimmed some of the posts (haven’t read them all fully). Glad God (and looks like family support) brought you through it. Will check in on the continuing series.
@ Warren, Now why would you just skim my posts?
Your comment made me laugh out loud. I love the honesty. We may actually be related!
oh esther, at least a with a book i can read the next chapter on demand…. argh!
keep it up, you have me totally hooked, girl…
You are just lovely, love your blog & I have given you “The Versatile Bloggers Award”!!! Take a peek here http://vitalearthtraditions.blogspot.com/2011/05/versatile-blogger-award-i-love-it.html . Have a gorgeous day. Cheers, Kelly Lynch Ring
Me too l’il cuzzin! Totally hooked. It would seem if you didn’t have your bad luck you’d be shy by a bunch of any at all!!!
Wow. What a heartbreaking story. You are a great writer and I am anxiously awaiting the end of the story.
I can so relate to your struggles with depression as I have struggled with it far too often in my life.
Thank you for sharing.
OH even though obviously you made it through this ok, I am dying to read the next chapter! I am so sorry you went through all of this!!
My husband also might have said something similar–gotta love ‘em, in hindsight, that is.
These days are scary, when it could be, this or that? Those husbands are not always thinking or saying, the right thing!
Esther – I’m glad you laughed and weren’t offended! As you can tell, I haven’t been blog-reading like I was a year ago. We’ve had a lot going on (our high school daughter missed the last 6 weeks of school do to illness – and she was a senior. Plus, I’m starting a new grad prgram in June) and blogging has taken a bit of a back seat. So … yes, I neglected to read the all of them in the series. But, I promise, I will! You can even ask me about it. You have a very good blog and I think you are a good writer.
WB
Correction – in the previous comment it should read “due to illness.”
[...] was only after questioning her further that I realized she was talking about the time I got Bell’s Palsy! Yep, my frown indeed got stuck that way that time! The joke was on [...]
[...] so self conscious I didn’t want to talk to anyone. “How vain,” I told myself, “There was a time I couldn’t smile at all. I should be happy I can smile even with yellow teeth.” I didn’t say anything to [...]