Sunday, December 28, 2014

Thankful

Things hg makes me thankful for:

Chou
Chou has run to every store in the county in search of one food I can eat, he's missed work to sit with me in the hospital, and takes over parenting full time the minute he gets home from a long day of work. He's given up many foods and cooking in attempt to keep me out of the hospital. He's scheduled doctor's appointments, pharmacy refills, and childcare while I've laid helpless on the sofa. Chou is amazing!

Friends & Family
Because of my friends and family, E left the house at least twice a week during the two months I didn't. They picked her up, dropped her off, and loved her in between. They bought us a Christmas tree, decorated our house, and checked in on me regularly. They listened to me talk nonstop, like they were the first person I saw in a month... because they were. They fed Chou when he wasn't allowed to eat at home. My mom made dinner and cake for Chou and E's birthdays and all I had to do was show up. E still talks about her cake a month later. We truly would not have survived without our friends and family this time around.

Modern medicine
While most medicines I've been on only last a few days or a few weeks, they do offer relief. When they fail, I'm able to get fluids and drugs via IV in the hospital. I hate to think where I'd be without modern medicine!

Weekends
Weekends have been a time for Chou to take care of me and give me some extra rest. They help us start Monday with a little more strength and nutrition, and give us the best possible start for the new week.

Health
We don't know what we have til it's gone. Having hg has made me so thankful for my health. It sucks, it's miserable, but it has an expiration date. Not everyone who is sick has the comfort of knowing when it will end like I do.

Life with hg

Hg. 

Hyperemesis gravidarum. Extreme nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. NOT morning sickness.

Thanks to hg...

We go from organic whole foods to whatever I think I can stomach, none of which is natural or whole. Currently it's cheesy waffle fries.

In E's imaginary world, everything from her baby to her teddy is now "so sick" and needs to rest.

We go from little screen time to TV night and day while mommy tries to rest.

We go from home cooked meals every night to "don't you even think of smelling up this house!"

My number one survival key for working from home/staying home with kids is that I NEED to get out of the house every day, even if it's  just an hour long walk at lunch. With hg, I didn't leave my house for 3 weeks straight. For 6 weeks I didn't go anywhere except doctor or my mom's. Someone told me it was the first sunny day after 20 some odd days of overcast/rain. This was news to me.

Normally I adore Christmas, the hustle & bustle, the decorations. This year, we only have a tree because our friends bought it and delivered it. It's only decorated because they stuck around to string lights and hang ornaments. My friends rock.

Every single gift was ordered online by Chou & delivered to my door. Praise Jesus for the Internet!

My grandma came to visit. E shared chocolate with her. Grandma asked her why she didn't share with mommy. E replied, "because I don't want mommy to puke." She was right and I appreciated her thoughtfulness.

E curls up next to me on the couch and says, "Mommy, I miss you!"

We go in for a normal appointment and my dr won't even do the exam. Instead we hear, "I'll let the hospital know you're on your way."

I return to the Dr for a follow up, and hear the exact same thing.

Chou's favorite foods is one of my worst triggers. He's required to shower & brush his teeth immediately after consuming. Even so, I still get sick. But then again, maybe that's true of a typical pregnancy.

My natural remedies go out the window. I'm faced with swallowing pills that could very well harm my baby, in hopes that it does less harm than the severe dehydration and malnutrition that are guaranteed if I skip the pills. When those pills stop working, I get stronger ones, then stronger ones, then a combo of other ones.

Yes, I've tried "that." Nope it didn't work, but thanks.

E tells everyone she meets that mommy is so sick. Pretty sure the world is convinced I have just exposed them to the flu or ebola.

While I'm wallowing on the couch, E empties a quarter role of toilet paper into the toilet. Excitedly she shows me her handiwork. Upon seeing my face she starts singing a Daniel Tiger diddy, "When you're feeling frustrated, take a step back & ask for help!" That darn tiger is now banned from my TV. Seriously.

No, I'm not excited just yet. I actually despise this child at the moment, but thanks for that awkward moment that's now here.