Thursday, March 4, 2010

Two Hearts Beating as One

Bear with me tonight.  This post might be all over the place.  I have so many things going through my head...
There are several things that I want to share tonight that are all part of "our" miracle. 

Maybe this is completely insignificant, maybe not.  I can't find much about it, but when Jamie and I got to the ER the day Eli was born, one of the first things they did was doplar my belly to find Eli's heartbeat.  It took them a while to find his because my heartrate was in the 140's and so was his. They were not sure if what they were hearing was my heart or Eli's. They did this several times there at the ER and on the way to Montgomery.  Each time our hearts were beating in, if not exact rhythm, very close.  That is why Dr. Kouri was surprised to find Eli's heart beating on the ultrasound.  To me that is special.

I have never really heard of a cord prolapse before my experience with it.  It is basically when the cervix dialates and the cord slips into the birth canal ahead of the baby.  This is a rare occurance and is often fatal to the baby if not treated quickly.  Eli was breech, with his feet down, and when my cervix dialated it allowed this cord to become prolapsed.  I had no idea my cervix was dialated because I had no real signs of labor.  When we got to the ER and the doctor examined me, he told me what I had found was Eli's cord.  I was pretty much "put on my head" at that point and arrangements were very promptly made to transport me to Jackson's were I would deliver my little man.  I remember in the ambulance I had to go to the potty so badly.  I expressed this several times, and the doctor and EMT on board finally told me just to go, that it would be alright.  I just couldn't due to "stagefright".  I could not make myself, so I just held it, bumps, turns, stops and starts, and all.  While doing research of my own on this, I came across several sites that give suggestions to cushion the baby from the cord being compressed and thus cutting off the oxygen supply to the baby, in the event of a prolapsed cord.  Several sites suggested that a cath be inserted and anywhere between 500ml and 700ml of fluid to be pushed into the mother's bladder. This was not done to me but I was given IV fluids. When I finally got to Jackson's and told my nurse of my dire need to go to the bathroom, she cathed me to relieve my bladder and found 1500ml of fluid present.  She was astounded and even showed Dr. Kouri what she had gotten from my bladder.  I fully believe that God allowed my bladder to become so full to cushion my little Eli's cord.  It was just another part of the miracle God gave us that day. 

One last part of our miracle that I wanted to share tonight is so precious to me. 
1Kings 18: 41-46
41 And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.
42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink.  And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees,
43 And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea.  And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times.
44 And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand.  And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not.
45 And it came to pass in the meanwhile, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain.  And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.
46 And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. 
In 1 Kings 17 Elijah predicted that God would bring a drought upon the people due to their idolatry.  This rain was the end of this three year drought which brought famine to the people.
As Jamie and I sat in the hospital that night, after Eli went home to be with Jesus, spending our last little bit of time with his precious tiny body, we noticed lightning outsided of our window.  Shortly thereafter, the heavens opened up and a storm came from them. We thought of this passage and Jamie went and got his bible.  I have read this passage over again several times since then and take comfort in it.  I believe that God makes himself known in many ways and this was one of them.

I know the the Lord's hand was on Elijah Griffin Hill and he ran before us to the entrance of Heaven...

Much love,
Jennifer

3 comments:

  1. Jennifer, I look forward to reading your blog, it has helped me deal with so many feelings from the past that I have always been so afraid of facing. I have so many thoughts and feelings that I have kept locked up deep inside for so many years. But I want you to kn ow that seeing knowing your strength and your faith has helped me so. And I thank you for that. Love Lisa

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  2. Such beautiful winks from God. Praying for you as you navigate your journey. God is present even now!

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  3. Jennier, you are such a strong,beautiful person. God is good ! I am glad he is helping you get through this tough time. Your blog brings sadness and joy to my heart. I will keep praying for the family. Love, Tina Clark
    ( Tina R shared your blog with me)

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