One month

It has been one month since being in the hospital. I can't say it has gone by fast, but it hasn't gone that slow either. I have 6 more weeks to go. I do hope the next 6 weeks will fly by. It is hard as I get bigger and I'm not comfortable in most positions. I have to move around a lot. But despite that, Dr. Kirshon is very optimistic about everything and is positive I will make it. Dr. Kirshon did say that I am almost to the point the babies would be viable (23-24 weeks). That is good news, but of course I want to make it further than that. I'm sure I will. It will get harder, but I will have to be tough and keep going each day. The nausea has gone away some. I still have a touch of it, but I definitely feel better than yesterday. It is getting harder to eat big meals. I have to eat little at a time as my belly continues to grow.
This weekend will be good as my parents are coming to visit. I haven't seen them in a month. It will be a nice visit. I wish they could visit more often.

Hanging Strong

This morning Dr. Kirshon came in to see me like usual, He decided to lower my Magnesium Sulfate from 2 grams to 1.5 grams, I was so happy because I thought it would lower my Nausea symptoms, but guess what it didn't; Not even Zofran completely takes away the nausea. I have decided to except it and move forward. I am in good hands here at the hospital, I absolutely love one of the nurses here her name is Renee. She has been so caring and loving towards me. I really feel like she would do anything for me and these babies. I have my discouraging moments but she always seems to brighten my day with her enthusiasam and her positive attitude. I owe her so much for all that she has done for me to this point in my pregnancy. This evening I have had a few contractions so they decided to bump up the Magnesium Sulfate back to 2 grams. Thomas and I were on Fox News at 9pm this evening, it was a follow to the first interview we had back in june. I have made it through another day, I am please with that. I am trying to keep these babies cooking for as long as possible. Here is the interview http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/health/090730_humble_sextuplets

Week 22!!!

It is official, I am 22 weeks along today and counting. I was wondering if I was going to make it to the 22nd week, after last night, but here we are. The babies and I are hanging strong, after all that ruckus yesterday. We will continue to take it one day at a time until I can't hold those little rascals any longer. I am striving to stay positive through all of this. I know this is a very special occasion for Thomas and I. We are creating life, what a sacred and glorious opportunity. To me there is no greater thing I could be doing at this time in my life. With all the challenges that I know will come, I am doing a great work, and that is what motivates me more than anything else. We are so excited to bring these beautiful children into the world. Thomas and I often discuss what will they look like, who will each one of them look like. We are getting more and more excited as each day passes.

Magnesium Sulfate!

Lat night was not the best of nights for me. I was having contractions almost all night, finally around 3:00 am Dr. Kirshon said to put me on Magnesium Sulfate. I was Leary of going on the medication because of all the horror stories I have heard. I was given an exceptionally high dose at first. They call it a loading dose, which was 6 grams. I was shocked with how well my body has handled it. The only side effects I have felt is my face got extremely hot, kind of like hot flashes. I also have been very jittery, but other than that I have been ok. I was worried more about how the babies are doing, so this morning the MD decided to do an ultrasound. The Ultrasound went amazingly well. All the babies are growing and seem to be as healthy as can be. Found out that 2 of the babies weigh 1.2 lbs, three are at 1.1 lbs, and one is at 14 ounces. We feel pretty good about that. The average weight for one at 22 weeks is 1 lb. My cervix is doing ok after all those contractions. I have not dialated, and it is still closed. I will continue to move forward trusting in the Lord.

Media Comes For A Visit

Late this afternoon the local Fox news came to visit us in the hospital. They came to do a follow up visit to see how everything is going with Amanda and the pregnancy. We had about a 20 minute interview with one of the anchors (Melissa Wilson). She was very nice and friendly to us. I felt a little awkward simply because I could not put make up on or do my hair. Thomas always tells me why does it matter if you have make up on or do your hair, you are beautiful to me and that is all that matters. We had a good interview today I felt.

Mom & Dad Stansel!

Today was a very rough day on my blood sugars. Dr. Kirshon decided to put me on a different drug to help stop contractions. I started to have more contractions. The contractions were not very painful, but my doctor was being cautious. He decided it was time to start Terbutaline.

(Terbutaline is a β₂-adrenergic receptor agonist, used as a fast-acting bronchodilator (often used as a short-term asthma treatment) and as a tocolytic to delay premature labour. The inhaled form of terbutaline starts working within 15 minutes and can last up to 6 hours).

This medication has really had an effect on my Blood Sugars. It has made them high. So that has been a little discouraging today. We shall see if my body ajusts to this medication like they say it will.

I was excited to see my Mother and Father In-law this eveing, they helped brighten my day. They are about to embark on a full time mission tomorrow. They have been called to serve in the louisiana, Baton Rouge Mission. So we won't see them for a year and a half. It was so nice to be able to see them and visit with them before they left for their mission. I wish them the best.

Brother and sister-in-law

My brother (Darren) and sister-in-law (Tracy) came to visit me today. We had a great visit. I enjoyed talking to them and catching up on things. My brother and sister-in-law are great people and I love them very much. I'm grateful they took the time to come visit.