2020--The year of surprises

Recently I have found myself using 2020 as an excuse for the unexplainable...Why did this happen?  Who knows, its 2020!

So it only seems fitting that smack dab in the middle of 2020 I should find myself with a super rare autoimmune disorder that took 2+ months to diagnosis!

Lets start a few months back.  On August 21st, I turned 37 and my body basically decided it was done for.  No, not really but that is the date closes to when I can remember these feelings start.  So around my birthday I started to experience some numbness and tingling in my feet and hands.  Not a huge deal, I was right in the middle of sleepless nights, the stress of motherhood, working insane hours trying to gear up for a big work transition, oh and a worldwide pandemic.  I chalked it all up to stress and swore I would nap and relax on our upcoming vacation.  Well about a week later, we left for the beach and by the time we arrived, I was stiff and could barely get up the stairs.  I gave myself a few days, some naps, and time off work but by day 4, I decided to see an urgent care doctor just to see what was going on. He ran a bunch of labs (lymes, covid, b-12, iron, diabetes, etc), suggested some vitamins, more rest, and said he would be in touch.  Slowly the lab work came back in...everything was fine with all my bloodwork, but still I felt worse.  He said this was now out of his scope and told me to follow up with my primary care doctor.  So about a week later when we were back in Richmond, I went to see my PCP and she ran a few more labs and referred me to a neurologist for a consult.

About 5 days later I was meeting the neurologist for the first time with more clear labs from my doctor. And thus started the intense round of tests, first up more labs, much more specific ones, an EMG (nerve conductive test) aka a super painful test where the tech administers increasing stock waves through your nerves to try to get a response, followed by a doctor coming in to stick a needle in various muscles to check their reaction.  This test showed significant damage to both my myelin sheath and the nerve axons (aka not good), however my muscle tone was strong and good.  Next up was an MRI of my lumbar and my spine.  45+ minutes in that MRI cave was a lot, I never considered myself to be claustrophobic but that pushed the limits.  At my follow up appointment, I found out that the MRI did not show anything out of the ordinary.  Onto the next round of labs and my next exam which was a spinal tap.  I figured this would be relatively easy since I have had two c-sections, but the procedure was much longer and the doctors first puncture hit bone--ouch!  So after 45 minutes to fill 4 vials of spinal fluid, I was able to relax a bit. While in recovery, the hospital took more labs which they lost so I had to go back to LabCorp for my 5th round of blood work (and oh so many broken blood vessels from missed veins--see pictures).  The days following gave me a sore spot on my back, but more waiting to find out that my spinal puncture showed elevated protein levels.  My doctor also ran a Chest CT and more blood work just to rule out one last thing.  By this time, it had been about 6 weeks since I first saw the neurologist and about 9 weeks since I started having symptoms.  A few days later, I got the results of my spinal tap, normal range for spinal fluid protein is anywhere from 15-45mg/dl.  Mine was at 200mg/dl.  That plus the EMG results finally narrowed down my diagnosis to Guillain-Barre Syndrome.  A rare auto-immune disorder effecting about 20,000 people in the U.S. each year.  

Finally a diagnosis meant treatment so that brings me to two weeks ago, over 10 weeks after my first symptoms, I started on the road to recovery.  I had to go through 5 days of IV-IG therapy to help my body reset and stop attacking itself.  GBS is a syndrome that generally presents (60% of the time) after a virus or stomach bug, and the body goes into attack mode going after the virus but it gets confused and begins attacking itself and the nerves in your body.  In my case, I cannot trace it back to anything specific, but so far the IV-IG seems to be helping.  I went from being unable to sit on the floor with my kids to being able to do that.  I was unable to get up from a chair without the use of my arms, to getting better at that.  So the therapy plus twice weekly physical therapy seems to be helping.  Even still my neurologist told me that it could be up to a year before I am 100% back to my old self.  

So in the midst of everything else going on--a global pandemic, many many doctors appointments and various tests, my boss retiring and me starting a new job including transitioning all our clients over to a new advisory firm, having a newborn and with that a lack of sleep and breastfeeding, I had to squeeze in time for the IV-IG treatment, which was for about 5 hours for 5 days in a row.  Here I am in my room getting my infusion:

The downfalls of the treatment was being extra tired and worn down, and I also experienced very intense lower back pain--so rough one morning that Marc had to help me get out of bed even.  (Let me take this opportunity to brag on my husband for a minute--there is NO WAY I could have survived this by myself--he had to help me tie my shoes, help me with the kids, took on all the household chores, worked a full time job, and had to be patient with an ailing wife).  I am now two weeks removed from the treatment, my bruised arm is healing, my energy is returning and I am able to do a little more every few days.  

Currently, stairs and bending over still present the most problems.   But I am optimistic these too will get better over time, just another thing to add to the craziness of 2020!  (Sorry to friends and family that may be reading about this for this first time on our blog, as you can imagine, life has been intense these last few months and with Covid we aren't seeing as many people, so this seemed to best way to tell my story).  

Benjamin's birth story

This was originally titled "Welcome to the world Benjamin (and his birth story), but since he is now 6 months old, I think we can assume you all know he is here by now!  I laugh every time I hear someone say "I have so much more time since quarantine."  How do I get that life?  Both Marc and I have way less free time since COVID quarantine.  

Here is how life is going...I started this blog post on April 25th.  APRIL 25TH!  That was 26+ weeks ago and my sweet new baby is now much much bigger and there is certainly a lot more to share. Having a baby during a global pandemic?  I do not recommend it!  Don't worry for all you moms getting ready to have babies, there are good parts to be had, but there are also losses for sure.  

Where to start? 

Well, I guess with this...we have a son!  We welcomed Benjamin into the world on April 15th at 8:21 am via a scheduled c-section.  He came out screaming at a sweet petite 6 pounds, but a mighty 19 inches long.  This took us a little by surprise because my ultrasound just 2 days prior predicted a 7lb 9 oz baby, not so much!  

So to start, you should know my birth history.  My sweet Olivia made her grand entrance into the world 11 weeks 3 days before her due date.  This put me in the "high risk" category going into a second pregnancy.  Pair that with my AMA (advanced maternal age) and you get a patient that basically spends 2-4 hours at the hospital every week after 28 weeks.  I had daily blood pressure checks (which actually were great most of the time), meetings with my OB, meetings with my MFM doctor (maternal fetal medicine), and lots and lots of meds--baby aspirin, blood pressure pills, prenatals, and two medicines for nausea because what else is better in an already scary pregnancy where you are trying to work full time and be a full time mom--let's add in lots and lots of nausea for a looooong time.  I was throwing up 3-7 times every day from week 6 to week 24, that is 4 months of intense vomitting--and that is with two medicines to help combat nausea.  FUN!  

But is was all worth it, you know why....cause of this guy here:

Let's skip forward weeks and weeks.  At 35 weeks gestation, I went to my MFM appointment and found out my fluid levels were low.  My MFM doctor did not seem super concerned, but following that appointment I went down to my OB's office where she seemed super concerned.  She asked me to come back two days later for another fluid check.  I went to that ultrasound and she said my fluid was back up--great news!  No hospital stay today!  Boy was I wrong.  After seeing my OB, she informed me that my fluid was back up where it should be but now my BP was high, so she automatically admitted me for labs and tests.  There is no better way to raise my blood pressure than to tell me you are admitting me (this played similar to my birth with Olivia).  Well after 6 long hours (and no food) at the hospital, my labs finally came back and everything was fine and my BP had stablized so I was able to go home.  The following week, I went to another routine OB appointment.  By this time I was doing weekly appointments with my OB (by myself, of course cause with COVID, Marc was not allowed to come with me) with a plan to deliver at 38 weeks gestation via a scheduled c-section.  Well at my 36 week appointment, I knew my BP was controlled on meds, but they did a NST (non-stress test) and could not get enough counts on the baby, so once again I was admitted.  I was furious--more labs and after hours upon hours of being hooked up to the monitors, we just found out that baby was napping a bit earlier.  So yet again, I was sent home.  This time I was so eager to go home (because as I had told Marc, there is no way they could keep me this time--everything is checking out fine--famous last words), that I walked right out of Labor and Delivery and almost out the front door before realizing that my IV was still stuck in my hand.  UGH!  So after discharge, my doctor said let's push the delivery up one week, meaning having him at 37 weeks vs 38 weeks, Marc and I were on board, with my BP slowing creeping up neither of us wanted a repeat of our first pregnancy and ACOG recommends delivery with gestational hypertension at 37 weeks to avoid worse outcomes. So on Monday, April 13th, I went in for my last ultrasound, I packed a bag knowing if anything showed up, I would be admitted for delivery immediately, so I came prepared and everyone--me and baby both looked fine.  Our ultrasound showed a healthy baby boy measuring at 7lbs 9 oz.  We got our instructions to arrive at 5:30am on Wednesday, April 15th for our sweet boys arrival.  Here we are ready to go have a baby:

Fast forward to April 15th, we arrived at the hospital before the sun was up and went to register before heading to labor and delivery.  The nurses tried to get an IV started, but after FIVE--yes FIVE attempts, they finally called in the anesthesiologist to get the IV going and he was able to get it but in my left forearm--not ideal placement, but we were ready, here is a picture of me showing off all my battle scars from the multiple IV attempts:

Marc all geared up ready for the operating room for delivery:

Since the time leading up to his birth was so eventful, it makes it easy that his birth was quite uneventful.  Benjamin Thomas came into the world screaming at 8:21am on 4/15/20.  As soon as the doctor pulled him out, we both looked at each other like that isn't an almost 8 pound baby.  She yelled out, let me get a weight on him, and so it was, our big headed baby was actually quite petite at just 6 pounds even.  Here is our first family photo:

Soaking in the daddy snuggles:

Recovery from a c-section the second time around was a little bit harder, and more painful, but still I seem to have an easier time than most.  I seem to have issues with the epidural, so both times, I have struggled with intense nausea and vomiting for about 24 hours after delivery while my body flushes the meds out.  Nothing is quite as great as lactation coming in to help you breastfeed and having to throw up while she is there.  Ever the professional, she asked if she could continue to work with Benjamin on my breast while I continued to throw up--Sure lady!  What would we do without nurses and doctors and lactation help?  Throwing up after abdominal surgery--I do not recommend it!  But all things come to an end and after about a day, I was feeling back to normal and was able to get up and walk the halls.  As chance would have it, one of my friends had a baby the day before we did, so we were able to introduce our sweet babies while in the hospital.  There were definitely some joyful moments, but the hospital halls felt quiet and lonely.  Though we could not have family around to share in our joy, we were joined by some of our NICU family to welcome sweet Benjamin--two of our nurses--Emily and Angela were both able to meet him before we headed home.  In fact Angela requested to be our nurse the day of discharge so she could help us out.  We were given the option to go home after 2 days and we took it, figuring we would probably sleep just as bad at home but we would at least be in our own bed and it was the right call for us--we enjoyed the big sister snuggles and time to be back together as a family of 4.  

Nurse Angela helping us get discharged:

Leaving the hospital:

Back at home, Olivia took to being a big sister quite well and has not stopped since.  She loves her baby brother with a passion and they have a bond that I hope will last forever.  

Thanks for your patience, as I worked through many many months to get this post published, FINALLY!  Hope you enjoy reading along and I will try to update soon on the months since Benjamin's birth and how our sweeet baby boy has tripled his birth weight in 6 months! 

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!

Love,

The Schinkel's

36 weeks pregnant and days....and a baby boy on the way!

Well, since my last post, there have been quite a few changes.  I had an ultrasound on March 30th that showed that my amniotic fluid level had gone from about 17 to 6.5, not scary, but borderline.  My doctor admitted me to monitor baby, blood pressure and do a NST (non-stress test), which baby boy passed with flying colors.  I was sent home to return on April 2nd for a follow up ultrasound.  After discharge, I explained to Marc that the doctor asked if I could be dehydrated, no of course not, I drink 100+ oz of water a day.  But Marc was like we spent all weekend outside doing yard work and in the heat, so maybe that was a cause?!?!  Well on my follow up on 4/2, the fluid level was back up to 10 and no longer a concern.  However, my BP was slightly elevated.  So once again my OB admitted me for observation saying that at 35 weeks 1 day, we likely wouldn't chase the BP, she would just deliver if meds did not work.  Well thankfully, after 6 hours in the hospital and one round of meds, my BP numbers started going back down.  So once again I was discharged, with instructions to call in if anything changed and to see her again on Monday 4/6.  Well that weekend I made sure to finish up any work, get my hospital bag packed and finish up any pre-baby stuff cause I was convinced I had pressed my luck far enough.  Well my appointment on 4/6 went great, my BP was under control still on the meds, my 24 hour urine test came back fine, my blood tests all read fine and my fluid level was back to 17!  So things were looking good! My doctor highly suggested moving up the delivery date by a week, so instead of at 38 weeks, she wanted to deliver a 37 weeks, and with everything going on, I agreed that it would probably be a good decision.  So this is how we are just days a away from baby boy making his grand appearance.

Because of my high risk status, my high risk and OB both suggest a repeat c-section to reduce the risk of prolonged labor that could result in BP issues and also the risk of placenta abruption, so that is where we are at.  4 days from now, we will check into the hospital at 5:30 am for a planned c-section at 7:30 AM on 4/15.  I have one more appointment with my doctor on Monday 4/13, so there is still a slight chance she would keep me then if there were any issues, but we hope to make it to Wednesday!  

So please join us in praying for a safe, healthy delivery for me and baby boy.  For no NICU time, for Marc to be able to be with me during delivery and for a relatively easy recovery!  

Needless to say, we are beyond excited to have made it this far in the pregnancy, and are thrilled to get to meet our little man sooner than later!  For those inquiring, we still have not decided on a name, so stay tuned for that!  

Had to capture this huge belly and my precious baby before she becomes the big sister!  

34 weeks pregnant

Yall I have made it to 34 weeks pregnant!  When you experience an early pregnancy, it is hard to fathom ever being more pregnant than that!  We had a lot of doctors telling us it was possible and even highly likely that we would make it further and maybe even to term (which for me is 38 weeks--we always knew we would never go past that point).  Starting out this pregnancy I had a 75% chance of getting to term, and 80% chance if I followed the aspirin regimen.  With my past history, I was repeatedly told that even if I did develop preeclampsia, it would be likely be later and less severe.  Part of the reasoning there being that I am on the look out for it--daily blood pressure checks and much more monitoring--I have two doctors instead of one and have/will have 8 ultrasounds verses the normal 2 per pregnancy (with Olivia I did have 3 and daily bedside ultrasounds once admitted).  But despite how much your head hears it, it is hard for your heart to feel it.  So for months on end, my response to invitations would always be, I will be there, as long as we haven't had the baby!


Well guess what?  Now I don't even have that excuse cause COVID-19 has basically shut down any potential get-togethers.  To say this is a scary time to be pregnant is an understatement.  Threats of dad's not being allowed to meet their babies at birth, thoughts of having to do the first 3-4 days alone as a mother without my daughter or husband nearby is scary.  I sure hope it does not come to that, but it is a reality for some & even my next appointments with my doctor are limited to me only.  In addition, I have been reading about many NICUs that have limited visitors to one parent only and some to not even allow mothers and fathers to see their kids.  We press forward with faith that our God will see this through, and maybe a reminder or two from my hubby about not looking at Facebook and news stories in the middle of the night when baby boy is kicking me for the 100th time (also, can I just say what a sweet feeling that is--I got to feel Olivia kick a few times before she was born, but nothing like this guy--it warms my heart every time even if it is 3am!)


So with all that being said, we are 4 weeks (or less if he decides to arrive early) to meeting this little man and we do not know what the world will hold for us then.  Can you join us in praying that Marc and I will be able to be at the hospital together to meet him?  That our family remains well and we have someone to care for Olivia during this time that we are away.  And of course to pray for our medical staff, nurses, scientists, and leaders as they navigate the toughest path of all--for a solution to this crazy virus and for minimal damage in the process!

And remember--wash your hands and stay home if you can!

28 weeks pregnant

Today is an interesting day in my pregnancy cause I am at the same point that I was when I was hospital admitted with Olivia.  It is hard to believe that just 2.5 years ago, I went into my normal 28 week appointment and did not leave the hospital until I had a baby! It still blows my mind looking at my sweet little girl today that she started so fragile and delicate. 

This pregnancy has for sure had some similarities but many differences.  So far everything looks great for me and baby and we are hoping it stays that way for the next 10 weeks (my delivery will be at 38 weeks due to my high risk status).  But this pregnancy has brought so many more challenges for me than Olivia's.  With Olivia, I dealt with nausea, but not vomiting.  For this pregnancy, I threw up most days from about 6-8 weeks until 24 weeks, which is 4 months of vomiting for those not good with math.  In addition, I have battled sinus infections, a few colds, two ear infections (with Olivia), and most recently the flu.  The irony of the fact that I had no medicine or illnesses my first pregnancy and it ended early, is not lost on me!  This pregnancy, I have had nausea meds, vomitting meds, baby aspirin, blood pressure meds, antibiotics, cough medicine, and tamiflu and this baby seems to tolerate and take it all in stride.  To date, my blood pressure has been routinely good and seems to be holding steady going into my third trimester. 

This picture makes me laugh, in both pictures I am really like 27 weeks and a few days, but in the first I did weekly shots with my cute sign (starting at 10 weeks pregnant), this pregnancy it is more likely bump shots sitting on the sofa or in the mirror, only a few have had a cute sign.  Second child problems!!!

We have been told time and time again that my blood pressure will likely creep up during the third trimester, so we are ready for that and are keeping eyes on things.  So we are hopefully, but cautiously optimistic as well!  I have another ultrasound scheduled for Thursday so we will get to see baby boy then and see how big he is getting.  As a reminder when Olivia was born she was 2lbs 4 oz (at around this time), so it will be interesting to see if he is bigger or smaller than big sister.  Based on his past measurements, I am guessing bigger, cause he has consistently been measuring 7-10 days ahead of schedule.  He also appears to be much much more active than big sister, which is great when you are wondering if he is doing well between ultrasounds and he gives a resounding kick, but not as great when he doesn't want to stop moving at 1am! 

Overall, I genuinely thought I would have a lot more anxiety this time around, knowing the possible outcomes, but it has not yet set in.  I feel like we know our odds, we are in good hands, and trust that God has all this in His control anyway.  I think learning so much about preeclampsia has helped to take some of the pressure off.  Knowing that if I will get it, it has already been decided as implantation is when the placenta will or will not take well, so for 28 weeks my body has or has not been dealing with a full term or short term placenta and only time will tell.  I am trying to take things as they come.  Of course, I feel like we need to get baby boy's nursery done like yesterday, but I am also trying to listen to my body and rest when I can and take things in stride, which is of course super easy to do with a high energy toddler!  But we are so thankful for all the family and friends that offer help as needed, it truly takes a village and we have the best village!


My Baby App, shows baby's size each week, and here are the options for this week, baby should measure about 16" long and about 2.25 pounds (which is almost exactly what Olivia was at birth):