November 23, 1994, I did get myself to the hospital (that set a trend of how things would go with the next two kids – more on that later). This was the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Know what happens that day? A lot of people leave for a long weekend to gather with family and be thankful. Including my OB.
Things I remember about the next 48 hours – my blood pressure was very high, I was so swollen, braxton hicks contractions, and doses of terbutaline. Terbutaline is an asthma medication given to try and prevent contractions with a side effect of making me feel like I have had enough caffeine to stay awake for days. Plus some steroids to try and help with lung development, same side effect as terbutaline. Also ultrasounds to find out Sam was incredibly small for being 28 weeks pregnant. Fetal monitoring showed she wasn’t doing well during the contractions. Doctors wanted to perform a specific amniotic fluid test but couldn’t because the labs were closed for the long weekend. Many “are you fucking kidding me Thanksgiving” were said.
Thanksgiving Day 1994 is a blur. Somehow my parents travelled from Southern California to Northern part. Oddly remember Darren and my dad going to a bar. And that’s about it.
Friday morning I remember parts vividly. I had hardly slept from the meds. There was more monitoring and then it was determined it was time to have a baby. All new doctors because you know, Thanksgiving weekend. Just before noon, I was taken to have a c-section. On the way the doctor told me I would always have to have a c-section if we had more kids, um ok. What was I supposed to say to that. As they prepped me for the classical c-section, I was laying there all numb from the epidural with my arms way out to the sides. What I thought was only a whisper to Darren I said “I feel like Jesus.” Well, it wasn’t. I yelled it loud enough for all to hear including the anesthesiologist who had very limited hearing with hearing aids.
I don’t remember much after that. Darren is the one with the memories of how he became an adult that day having to make decisions for a very tiny girl with no name yet.
On to the evacuation during a pandemic. Monday the winds were crazy, a small fire started and we’ve lived here long enough to know it can change quickly. It did. By noon, I took Sam to a hotel by the airport . She thought we were going to the airport to fly back to Disney World. When she realized that wasn’t happening she told us “go home now” every 5 minutes. Exhausting and resulted in a wine lunch. Thankfully the firefighters did an amazing job and protected all our homes.
Cheers. Nancy
Oh and wear a mask. Don’t be a maskhole- cover your fucking nose.
25 years of raising and caring for a perpetual 2 year old 