Wow. Where do I start to describe the events of the past 10 days? I'll start with praising the Lord Jesus Christ that I am at home from five days in the hospital and getting stronger from the worst illness of my life. Thank you, Lord, for your protection, healing, and goodness.
We always try to be careful about checking for ticks and they are very numerous this year. We are often outside and I've pulled off three critters from myself. I don't think we ever leave any on longer than several hours. Well, last Tuesday night I started to feel poorly. In fact, I can now look and see that I was having difficulty breathing before that and I just attributed it to pregnancy. I went to the OB/GYN for my regular 28 week visit and my pulse was 118. I asked if he was concerned and he said no. Walking up the stairs had recently required all my energy. I now know this was the beginning of the tick bite symptoms. On Wednesday, May 23, I started with a low-grade fever and called the OB/GYN. I thought I had the flu. He said just to drink lots of fluids and monitor the fever. Call back if it went up to 103 deg. By Friday, I was exhausted, with roller-coaster fevers ranging from 97.5 to 102.9 degrees. I would shake uncontrollably, then sweat profusely. I ached all over including my knee-caps. I was so miserable and had terrible headaches. I would take one Tylenol about every 5-7 hours just to "take off the edge". We try to avoid all pharmaceuticals, especially during pregnancy. I called the OB/GYN and the doctor said to go see my general practitioner. Dr. MacBeath took me right away and said he thought I had a tick-borne illness. I had no bumps, no rashes - it just seemed like the flu. He sent me to Sentara to have a bunch of blood work taken. I was having more difficulty breathing, my pulse was high, I couldn't sleep, my fevers continued.
Scott called Dr. MacBeath back on Saturday to see if any preliminary blood test results were back. When the doctor heard that I was getting worse, he said to stop the Tylenol and go to the ER. I couldn't believe it. He said that tick-borne infections are complicated and the ER could take the necessary blood work and get results back much quicker. My mom, sister, and Chris came from the River that evening to watch the kids (we were all supposed to be hanging out on the boat at the River and eating steamed crabs for Memorial Day). Off Scott and I went to get more blood work started. I was very nervous and the first thing I heard on the radio when Scott turned on the car was Chris Tomlin's voice (my absolute favorite worship leader) and the first words to his song "Let Faith Arise"......"Be still. There is a Healer." I still get emotional as I think about that - that the God of the Universe chose to give me a personal word of hope and encouragement in such darkness and uncertainty. He alone knew what my next few days would be like and He was telling me that it was going to be OK. He is the Healer.
The ER doc was great and consulted with an Infectious Disease doctor in Norfolk. They announced that I was very sick and I was soon to be on my way via transport ambulance to MCV in Richmond. Scott and I were shocked.
I arrived at MCV at around 3am Sunday morning and was admitted right away to the Labor and Delivery floor. They were obviously concerned about the baby as well as me. The next few days are a blur as I was sicker than I realized. My pulse was consistently 150 while my blood pressure was dropping quite low (my bottom number went as low as 35). I continued to deteriorate. Lots of blood samples were taken (10 sticks and about 40 tubes that week) with IV antibiotics. The Infectious Disease doctors were becoming increasingly convinced that I had Ehrlichiosis, a tick-borne infection which could be fatal if not treated properly. Normally "easily" treated, the only known treatment is the antibiotic Doxycycline. This drug is not recommended for pregnancy because of teeth and bone issues for the Baby. Scott and I were devastated. I have tried to hard to be as natural as possible, not even coloring my hair since I realized I was pregnant and I had taken one Tylenol before this all started. I had changed all cleaning products to more natural versions and we were eating only grass-fed meats, etc.
I've never seen a group of doctors (OB/GYN, Respiratory ICU, Pulmonary, Infection Disease) look so concerned. Even a previously healthy pregnant woman can quickly deteriorate to a dangerous level. All from one little infected tick. I was soon moved to MRICU (medical respiratory intensive care unit) for two days and quickly given the Doxycycline. We prayed for God to protect this baby boy from all side effects from the drugs. Many, many people joined us in calling out to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords for mercy and protection. They also started me on two other wide spectrum antibiotics in case something else was going on. Scott and I were so disappointed and concerned about all of these drugs in my system and what they might do to the Baby. I had 11 weeks until my due date. We remembered the incredible miracle story of Tim Tebow while his pregnant mom struggled with serious health issues. God brought a healthy baby boy (Tim) into the world despite all that his mom had to go through. God, please do it again!
Blood work started coming back in which showed that I was positive for several Ehrlichiosis markers. They quickly took me off one antibiotic. My fevers started to subside after a few doses of Doxycycline as did my achiness. My heart rate (and the Baby's) started coming back down to normal levels and the Baby continued to move around. After a few days in the MRICU, I was moved back to Postpartum floor where they could still check my breathing, but also keep a close eye on the baby. Finally, after much begging, they discharged me from MCV on Friday at lunch. All praise to God! I couldn't wait to get out of there!
My mom has done an outstanding job of keeping the kids on their school schedules, keeping up with laundry, the kids' activities, etc....Swim team started during all of this....We thank everyone for their prayers and help - the meals have been very appreciated.
Pastor Eric, not knowing of my experience in the car of Chris' voice singing, "Be still. There is a healer." came to visit us in the hospital and had this Scripture.....
"God is our refuge and strength, and ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging...The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come and see the works of the LORD ....
'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.' The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." -- Psalm 46
We exalt you, Lord Jesus! We praise your Holy Name! You are Sovereign. You have all Authority in heaven and earth. No one threatens Your reign. You are over all drugs and illnesses. You will continue to create this Baby in your perfect way. We trust You alone.
