"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. " -Helen Keller

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Eek...I almost missed the start of ICLW...

Since I've never done this for a previous ICLW, I thought I would give you a quick overview of me, my family, and my infertility story.

I'm Kristin and I've been married to my hubby for over 14 years. We are the proud parents of three wonderful hellions boys. My husband and I met when we both use to volunteer for a local Rescue Squad. He worked the crash truck and I was a paramedic. I knew after our first date that he was the one for me but he took a little longer to see the light. LOL...he had been burned one too many times to realize what we had together right away. I use to joke that the only thing I could threaten him with was staying with him forever.

I got pregnant the first time a few months before we got married. I didn't carry this pregnancy to term (I think I will share that story later). Knowing what I know now, I was probably on my way to a full blown eclamptic pregnancy. At only 6 weeks along, I was already spiking my blood pressure. I've had so many losses since than that I no longer know all my due date but I do have a record of the dates of losses.

Here is a quick overview of my pregnancies and losses...
  1. 9/9/94 pregnancy ended at about 8 weeks, D&C
  2. 2/20/97 delivered my oldest at 41 weeks 2 days via emergent c-section; I had been diagnosed with mild pre-eclampsia, had been in labor for 16 hours, the mag they gave me for my pre-e stopped my full term labor, and Marty started dropping his heart rate every time I had a contrax once they got labor going again. Marty was 8 lbs 14.5 oz
  3. 12/8/99 miscarriage confirmed at about 5 weeks. They called it a chemical pregnancy but I fucking hate that term.
  4. 11/15/00 delivered my second son, Joey, at 36 weeks 2 days, via emergent c-section; had unexplained bleeding incidents at 27 weeks and 30 weeks; at 36 weeks 2 days, thought my water had broken, went to the bathroom and found blood instead; Joey implanted very low and, when his placenta moved up the uterine wall and crossed my c-section scar, it left a small lobe behind (didn't show up on any u/s) so I was experiencing undiagnosed partial previa. My preemie was 20 inches long and 7 lbs.
  5. 11/11/02 loss confirmed at 10+ weeks, D&C
  6. 2/12/03 loss between 5 and 6 weeks
  7. 4/15/03 loss confirmed at about 11 weeks, D&C
  8. 11/24/03 loss between 5 and 6 weeks
  9. 6/17/04 had been on progesterone suppositories, saw heartbeat and fetal pole at 6 weeks; our little girl, Eva, dies at 8 weeks; found out at 9 weeks; D&C one day later
  10. 1/13/05 loss at about 5 weeks
  11. 12/2/05 on progesterone suppositories and lovenox; had a relatively uncomplicated pregnancy although I did develop PIH during the last 4 weeks. Gabe was delivered at 39 weeks 1 day in a scheduled c-section.
  12. ??????
I was diagnosed with luteal phase defect and given a prescription for progesterone suppositories after pregnancy #7 (loss #5). It allowed my pregnancy with Eva to progress to the heartbeat stage and then we lost her. I had all the standard infertility bloodwork drawn after that loss and the only thing found out of whack was my ptt length. It was shortened and that means I clot faster than normal. The placenta really becomes established around 6 weeks which is why clotting issues can come into play after that point. The lovenox was prescribed for future pregnancies and I had my miracle baby in December '05. I am not pregnant right now although we are trying. We are also dealing with the latest curve from my husbands diabetes.

On the personal front, I am a college educated SAHM. My husband is a brilliant, funny, talented man who runs a local 911 center. Once upon a time, he was a career firefighter but he had a career ending knee injury and turned to dispatching as a career. We both love to read and could probably open our own library. I love all crafts and my hubby is very talented at model building and painting. I currently blog about anything and everything although this blog started out as an infertility focused blog.

Welcome to my world. Do you have any questions?

24 comments:

Kate @ When Hello Means Goodbye said...

wow, thank you for sharing your story, i am so sorry you have been through so many losses.

Michelle said...

Wow Kristen you have been through a lot. I am sorry for all your losses. It has been a tough road. You are an amazingly strong woman. Thank you for sharing.

ICLW

Cara said...

Kristin - I knew your story but seeing it all mapped out like that brought the enormity of your loss back all over again. So sorry.

ILCW or bust!

Anonymous said...

What do you plan to do in the future?
What about when your kids are all grown and out of the house?

Soralis said...

So sorry about all the losses.. thanks for sharing your story! Hugs and Good Luck!

ICLW

Mrs.Joyner said...

Thank you so much for you comment on my blog. I love ICLW because it introduces me to new blogs like yours. It's good to know Im not the only one who's gone through the infertility BS. Lots of luck in 2009. Keep us updated!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for your comment on my blog. I'm so sorry for your losses; it is overwhelming to see it laid out like that...so many months, so much pain, so many hours waiting in doctors' offices. I do have a question...what is ptt length? I thought I knew all of the IF abbreviations by now! :)

princessjo1988 said...

Oh wow. That is one heck of a story. I feel for you.

Congrats on the 3 miracles! And as to the others who did not get so far, they will be part of your family forever regardless!

Here's to miracle no. 4!

Jo

Annie said...

Thank you for sharing your history. You have been through a lot and my heart just aches for you and all the babies you've lost (((hugs)))
ICLW

*Tanyetta* said...

Kristin,

Your story was touching. Thank you so much for sharing.

Shelly- Mom Files said...

Well you have been through quite a lot! I think it is amazing that you are so open about your ups and downs. God bless you for being one tough lady!

daega99 said...

You hae been through so much! Thanks for sharing.

*ICLW 66*

Three Cats and a Baby said...

Thank you for sharing your story.

ICLW #14

Anonymous said...

My goodness, what a story! My heart just goes out to you! I hope this doesn't sound cheesy, but I have such an admiration for women like you who have been thru this much on their journey and are still sane enough to share it. I really don't think I would have been so lucky had I ever gotten pregnant and experienced a loss. For some reason, I was spared that much. The powers that be knew I wasn't mentally able to handle that kind of loss. At any rate, you are a strong woman. Thank you for sharing your life with us.
ICLW#41

Tia said...

Thank you so much for sharing your story. I'm so sorry for everything you have been through. It gives me hope to read about someone that had multiple losses like you, but also had some successes mixed in.

Reedu said...

I am stopping by from ILCW and wanted to get to know you. My heart feels so heavy now. Those three boys of yours must be the lights of your life. Thanks for sharing all this.

Summastarlet said...

Happy ICLW!

Wow...what a journey you have been on to get your 3 blessings. I am sure each one is a miracle blessing you and your family.

Thank you for sharing. xx

MICHELE CERVONE SCOTT said...

Thanks for sharing your story and for visiting my blog at MommyForward.com. I'm commenting back from ICLW. I wish you and your family many blessings!

Hopeful1 said...

Wow you have a lot going on too! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment on my blog.

I'm so sorry for all your losses. Big hugs, I pray that everything works out for you.

ICLW #12

BreAnna said...

I am so sorry for your losses. Thank you for sharing your timeline as well as for your comment on my blog.

Mrs. E said...

Hi! Thank you for commenting on my blog. It's so cool that you were born in Taiwan! Thank you for sharing your journey. You sound like you have a wonderful family =)

Bird said...

thanks for comingby AND for posting such a detailed history. i like that you and your hubby are life savers. pretty awesome!!

TeamBabyCEO said...

Just stopping by from ICLW. Thanks for sharing your story, it sounds like you've been through a lot of struggle and challenges. All my best to you and your family!

Stinky said...

Thanks for commenting on my blog, wow, what a story. I've just been reading some of Vic's story too, loving the writing