A Year Ago Today…
On September 19, 2008, Rob and I flew to Oahu for a consultation with a OB/GYN that specialized in high risk pregnancies. I had just spent the last week in and out of Maui Memorial Medical Center as my blood pressure fluctuated from normal all the way up to 160/110 throughout the day. Preeclampsia was a concern but with no protein in my urine and no signs that the baby was distressed, my OB did not feel the need to have me medivac’d to Oahu. I was to fly there, see the high risk Dr. and would more than likely be asked to find a place to stay near Kapiolani for the duration of the pregnancy.
The social worker at MMMC had set it up so that I could stay at the YWCA, which is located near the hospital. The prospect of staying at the Y for the remainder of the pregnancy, (I was only 27 weeks at the time) scared me. I was worried, my husband was worried, the whole family was worried. I didn’t want to go. I didn’t want to leave my family behind. I didn’t want to leave Rachel, who had turned 2 at the end of July.
I packed, knowing I would be there a while. Two large suitcases filled with clothes, books, my laptop, DVD’s, magazines and some files for work. I tried to hide my tears from Rachel as I stuffed pictures of her in my bag. I fought back tears as we dropped her off at daycare that morning.
We made it to Oahu and went straight to Kapiolani Medical Center. At the doctor’s office they took my vitals and of course, my blood pressure was elevated. It was a stressful day. My urine had trace amounts of protein. After an ultrasound they decided I was had to be admitted ASAP. I had chronic hypertension with super-imposed preeclampia. Complete bed rest for the duration of the pregnancy.
Being admitted to the hospital actually relieved a lot of stress for us. My family on Maui could rest easier, knowing I was in good hands. I was comfortable in my surroundings, I was a patient there just 2 year ago when Rachel was born.
My hospital room became my home away from home for four long weeks.
The March of Dimes brought me the colorful quilt that kept me warm at night and brightened up my days. Thankfully, my blood pressure stabilized and after about a week of bed rest, I was allowed to walk around. I was limited to my room and the hallways of the 3rd floor, but after lying in bed for a week, it was complete bliss. I visited as many of the other antepartum patients that I could. I showed them pictures of Rachel and told them how well she was doing after being born at this very hospital two years ago, at just 26 weeks and 5 days.
My room was just across the hall from the nursery. Though noisy at times with families oohing and aahing over their newest family members, I got to ooh and aah at those beautiful, healthy babies too as I rubbed my growing belly and prayed that this time, I would carry to term.
I sat in this chair when I got sick of the being in bed. I could easily watch TV from this cozy corner and my laptop, books and magazines were all within reach. When Rob visited, we would move this chair closer to the bed. It pulled out full length and it served as Rob’s bed during his weekend visits.
This was the view from my bed. Kapiolani is just mauka of Central Union Church. It was beautiful at night, when the lights in the steeple came on.
The four weeks I spent in this room on Oahu, away from my husband, daughter and everyone else I loved, were the toughest and lonliest four weeks of my life. That was a year ago, today. Oh, what a difference a year makes.
