Blog #7 My baby, My Hero, My Survivor, My Fighter #Spencerstrong

I have had a hard time deciding when I would dive into this. This will be just the beginning of a long journey with my youngest son Spencer. This will be the beginning of heartfelt tears and trials, as well as triumphs and joys. This is the start of Spencer's story. This is when you will begin to learn the story of my Spencer Strong.

On this very day, November 13th, 8 years ago, my facebook memories today remind me that I announced to the world that I was expecting my fourth and final baby. Little did I know, that this little guy would be my big boom, my fighter, my amazing Spencer Strong.

I am going to begin with my pregnancy with Spencer. I do this, not because it is his story, but to give you and idea about how he came into this world as a fighter, and no matter what came his way, he would always fight, and he would never give up.

My pregnancy with Spencer began just as the other three had; however, a short time into the pregnancy I began bleeding. I hurried to the doctor, had an ultrasound done, and it was known that I had a subchorionic bleed. This is bleeding between the placenta and uterus. The worry was not grave, and I was placed on bedrest for a week. Another ultrasound was done, and I was in the clear; everything was good and my sweet baby was ok. I was released to continue as usual. I went back to my job as a labor and delivery nurse with no worries.

In my fifth month I had a fall down the stairs. I again went to the hospital for monitoring and everything checked out. Another scare, but I was happy that my baby and I were both cleared as healthy.

Not long after I began to have intense and terrible headaches. I was in and out of the doctor's office as well as the hospital for monitoring. Feeling that something was progressing but not showing yet, (high blood pressure with pregnancy) I was given steroids for lung maturity of my sweet baby. My lab work remained normal and my blood pressure was good, and I was always eventually released... until I wasn't. Finally, with a pounding head in my 33rd week of pregnancy, I drove myself to the hospital. My blood pressure was high, my lab work was not great; I had preeclampsia. So, I was to remain in the hospital. Within a week of being in the hospital, I began having contractions. My labor and delivery friends understand me much clearer, but my contraction pattern turned into a little bit of a not so great looking wavy pattern. I was abrupting- my placenta was tearing away from the wall of my uterus...to put plainly. Spencer was also breech. So, I was taken back pretty quickly for a cesarean delivery. My first c-section, but I was completely fine with it.

Spencer came into this world at just 34 weeks. He was a tiny 4 pounds 4 oz. Thank goodness to the steroids I received, he was breathing all on his own. However, being only 34 weeks and as tiny as he was he would have a few challenges, so he was quickly whisked away to NICU. I however, went on to the recovery room and then antepartum. I could not go to postpartum unit like most moms because I was on magnesium. The preeclampsia and high blood pressures put me a risk for seizures, among other things, and the magnesium would prevent that. Being on magnesium they have to monitor you a little more closely. That meant no trips to the NICU to see my sweet boy. Now ya'll- I was a nurse at this hospital. I was a nurse that took care of many moms on magnesium and I knew the risks, and this mamma was going to see that sweet 4 pound baby. So what did I do? I disconnected my magnesium and I found a wheelchair, and I took myself up to that NICU to see my boy! Not one person ever gave me grief for this.

He stayed in NICU for 2 weeks to learn to suck, swallow, and breathe simultaneously, and to grow! He did great the entire time he was there, and was released to go home.

Life then began as it normally would with a new baby at home. He was number four and I was a pro at multitasking. I never really had a problem adding a new little one to the mix. I just did it. Spencer was relatively healthy. He did have frequent ear infections. At a little over one year of age he had tubes placed and that solved the ear issues.

When he was three, he began screaming with stomach pain one night. Friends, I do not meaning he was uncomfortable or whining, I mean my baby was screaming! I rushed him to the ER and we were given no answers. We saw the pediatrician several times. He was put on miralax and we were told it was constipation. I fought with them over and over during several visits. We had several other trips to the ER with still no answers. My baby was beginning to lose weight, he could hardly eat, and he was miserable. I knew something was wrong. As a mother, I will always say, stick with your gut. If your gut says something is seriously wrong, then it's most likely right! Finally, one of my friends that was a nurse with me at the hospital, told me she had a friend that was a GI specialist at Texas Children's Hospital, and she could put me in touch with him. This was our blessing!

Meanwhile, I quit giving Spencer the miralax. He had constant diarrhea and now I was worried because it was black, like old blood. We got him into the specialist, and it just so happened that Spencer began his screaming from stomach pain while the doctor was examining him. Spencer was then scheduled for an EGD two days later.

Spencer's EGD showed a very large stomach ulcer. His lab work showed that it was bleeding so badly, he needed to be admitted for blood transfusion. My heart was relieved to find the answers, but broken that my poor little man had been suffering for so long and that it was so severe. Spencer was admitted to Texas Children's hospital to receive his blood. All went well, and the next day he was sent home with medication to heal his ulcer.

Tonight I will stop here. These stories do not even begin to tell the true story of Spencer. For these were only small battles; only obstacles compared to the battle he would begin fighting just one year after his stomach ulcer.

These obstacles were only preparing me. These were just to show me that he was born a fighter. These were to teach me that my sweet boy was born strong.

Little did I know that he would be the one to teach me about life.

Little did I know that I would view this entire world and every single person in it differently than I ever had before.

Spencer brought beauty to this world for me, and I hope that as I begin to dive into his battle, that he can do the same for you.

Kiss your babies!