Our Journey with Conjoined Twins
Abby & Erin
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
Romans 8:28
The amount of changes and curveballs that get thrown your way in life and usually every so often and can get handled and then you move on and wait for the next one to get thrown at you. Well these past two weeks have been nothing but curve balls, twists, turns, and crazy. As I wrote in my last post my mom and I had relocated to the Ronald McDonald House in Camden NJ and were planning on being there for at least a few weeks until the babies were born, and I was planning on being there until everything was said and done with the girls surgeries and all that. So we had pretty much moved in and were almost settled. We had gotten there on Wednesday June 29th, and had a few appointments in between, but then this past Friday the 8th I learned that the babies needed closer monitoring and so they decided to admit me right then and there. So I called Riley (my husband) and explained what was going on and coincidentally he was planning on surprising me that weekend by driving up and bringing me my car and hanging out for a day. So he got the news I was being admitted and he started making plans and was on his way a few hours later. I wasn't able to go back up some stuff, I wasn't able to even really think. Within 20 minutes of having my ultrasound they had a room set up for me in the Special Delivery Unit with a nurse waiting to check me in. What a whirlwind let me tell you. They weren't planning on taking the babies that day thank goodness, but just being admitted to the hospital was a little daunting. Again this is my first pregnancy so on top of everything else, this is all completely new to me. And I haven't been in a hospital for myself since I was like 10 years old. So it has been quite the learning experience for me. So as soon as I was admitted and they had me in the computer they had me change into a hospital gown so they could start to monitor the babies (which didn't really work because they move so much and are such crazy little girls). Once they finally found heartbeats and decided everything was good for the moment they explained what was going to happen. Since they don't think that I will make it past 32 weeks (because of the extensive cord issues) they wanted to give me a few medicines to help the girls develop a little easier and quicker so that when they are born they have the least amount of issues possible (I will be 29 weeks tomorrow!). So I ended up getting two steroid shots for their lungs (OUCH let me tell you my behind will never be the same lol) and then they wanted to start me an on IV drip of Magnesium Sulfate which helps the babies nervous systems and brains develop. So that process started, and since I hadn't eaten or drank anything since my appointment had started at 1:45 (it was like 6pm by this time) I was swollen, more on the dehydrated side, and I was hungry. So getting an IV into me was difficult to say the least. The ended up trying in two separate places before they finally succeeded in the third spot. And then they needed to get some blood for some labs and of course they couldn't seem to draw any blood from the IV line because my veins were being ridiculous and making everything a lot more painful than it needed to me. So after finally getting the IV in after 3 sticks, they had to stick me two more times to finally draw blood. So that was brutal to say the least. Everyone felt really bad. (I had two nurses and two people from the IV team who are used to putting IVs in babies, thats how bad my veins were being). At around 8 they started my Magnesium sulfate and boy was that not very fun. They had told me it wasn't going to be very fun so I was prepared but even so...ugh. Within 5 minutes of it being started I felt like I could throw fire with my hands. My palms felt like they were on fire and slowly but surely it spread through my whole body. I became a constant hot flash. My poor mom was freezing because they had the AC turned way up, I had been given ice pack, and a bucket with some ice and towels as well. Thankfully the heat was my only side affect. Apparently it makes a lot of women feel really sick and dizzy. But I just got really really hot. That Magnesium Sulfate lasted for 12 hours before they could turn it off, and then took another 12-24 hours to finally wear off. I went to take a shower and I had almost a backwards sunburn. I was beat red where my gown had been. It looked like I was wearing a bright red shirt when I took off my gown. (I have very sensitive skin) But apparently I handled it like a champ and my babies are better off for it. Now it is just a lot of waiting and sitting. Lots of people in and out of the room (which is ok, distractions are nice during the day). Going from having no real restrictions to all of a sudden being confined to one little tiny hospital room when you can only get up to use the bathroom and shower is a pretty big change. I have had my aunt and uncle visit, and also Riley's dad visit so that has helped the days go by. My mom has gone back home to NC since Riley will be here for a while now. The Drs. said that when it is time for the babies to be born it was be go time. There won't be time for anyone to get on a plane and get here, it will be GO and babies will be born within like a half hour. So to make sure he doesn't miss it he will be here for a while. So please pray for us with all the decisions we have to make regarding that. He was originally going to be working as much as possible during all this, but like I said earlier, twists, turns, and curveballs seem to be happening regularly around here. And we want to do what is best for our family, and these are not easy decisions to make. Pray for our little girls as their cords have been tangling and untangling over and over. That they will be able to grow enough where it won't give them any more issues if they have to be born early. They already have a long road without being little preemies. So we just keep praying that they are doing what they need to be doing and are growing like little weeds. Pray for me as I get used to all this crazy unknown. The thought of an emergency C-section is very nerve wracking for me. It's all so new and I don't know exactly what to expect, all I know is that it is going to be fast. I have also never had a major surgery, so it is all just scary, but exciting at the same time. For the Lord has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind! And he made these little girls, and he made me be the one to give birth to these two little girls. Pray for my husband as he also navigates through the unknown of becoming a dad. He is also like my primary care taker at the moment since I can't leave my room. So he gets me drinks, and cleans, and is packing, and unpacking stuff, doing laundry, and dealing with stuff from home. He has a lot on his plate right now as he is trying to keep my plate light so I can focus on our girls and the task at hand. He is an amazing Dad already! I'm sure I will be updating more and more as I have the time to do so at the moment. But please just keep us in your prayers. This wasn't something we had thought we would be doing. We knew we would be in the hospital for a few nights, but didn't even think that we might have to basically live here for a few weeks. We are so grateful for all the prayers and support! And if anyone has ideas on how to stay busy let me know! :) I know I say this a lot but Riley and I so appreciate each and every one of you. You are not only making a difference in our girls' lives but in ours as well. We are so touched by all the prayers and generosity. We know God has a plan and we are just here to watch it unfold!!
10 Comments
Tricia Brown
7/12/2016 01:03:03 pm
Praying. I adopted my kids. Her first baby was c section - all went well - her son did well. He is now 22. She had 2 more boys - both vaginal births all healthy. She was told would never be able to get pregnant then told when did high risk. Praying for your twins. I always wanted twins - almost got to adopt twin baby girls but foster mom changed her mind and decided to adopt them. Praying for the twins, mommy and daddy.
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Leah Duquette
7/12/2016 01:41:45 pm
Lots of prayers for you all!
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Linda Lee Campbell
7/12/2016 06:05:53 pm
Prayer have been, and will continue, to go up for your girls, you, and your husband and family. {{{{{HUGS & LOVE}}}}} from Morrow, GA.
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Samantha
7/12/2016 07:09:51 pm
Praying for you guys! Stay strong! Cant wait to see pics of them!
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Lisa Miller
7/12/2016 08:27:34 pm
Prayers continue for all of you. Thank you for sharing your story so candidly as we see Christ work in you and through you.
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Susan Mac
7/14/2016 12:19:52 pm
So glad we came to Philly to visit you, Riley, and babes!! You are in the right place for your young family and in wonderful hands. We will continue to keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers. Love you... Rob and Sue 🙏🏻😊🤗💕
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Gma Beth
8/3/2016 03:30:59 pm
Been thinking and praying that you have been encouraged by God's sustaining grace and mercy in these days. Know your goal of 32 wks has come and gone. Praying that the girls have been delivered and that all is well, certainly all is as God would have it. You continue to be in our prayers here in MN
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Heather
8/3/2016 04:04:17 pm
Thank you so much for the prayers! The girls were actually born about a week and a half ago and are doing great!! A lot better than anyone would have expected. I'm just not able to blog at the moment because my computer charger broke and I'm waiting for my new one to come in the mail. (I can't blog from my phone unfortunately). But again thank you so much for the prayers!!
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Rachel
8/5/2016 07:55:13 am
I am so glad to hear the girls are here and doing well! Looking forward to reading your blog update when you get your charger. I have been thinking of you and praying for you, your husband, and the girls.
Isabella Lucas
11/10/2022 05:18:05 am
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AuthorMy name is Heather Delaney. I married the love of my life Riley on 10/02/15 and we now have two beautiful girls Abby & Erin, who are conjoined twins, that were born 07/24/16. We are trusting that God is going to work all this out for his good! Archives
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