When I went into the hospital at 29 weeks pregnant with preterm contractions with Gabriella after a chemo treatment I was put into a room with another woman. I won't go into how I had to be lifeflighted because my contractions wouldn't stop. I won't elaborate on the steroid shots I had for Gabbi's lungs because of the fear I was going to have her or how the medicines wouldn't stop the labor. I also won't go into how I was so out of it from the magnesium drip that I barely could focus much less think. I remember them coming into my hospital room in the one hospital I was at, telling me something about my breathing and the contractions...and Lifeflight. That's it. Then my kids and husband watched as I was flown away to another hospital a good 2 hours from them.
OK. Now onto the roommate. I had been through a lot. Hard chemo....preterm contractions.....terrible pain from them...etc. Stress....and now I was sharing a room. I complained because HELLO I was on chemo. I didn't want to catch something and this woman was saying she felt sick. She complained non stop. I was trying to save my baby and be as good as I could be to save the pregnancy and this chick NONSTOP said she just wanted to have hers. She was too early. She was about where I was. She sat there in her bed ALL night telling me how she never wanted her baby and had wanted an abortion. Then she complained it was her birthday and no one would come see her. Then of course her boyfriend and dad came in and sat with her anyway. I couldn't get sleep. I rarely spoke but she told me nonstop how she never wanted her child. I had to listen to a counselor come in and explain the hazards of just delivering her baby. They told her how many issues this baby would have IF it even survived. I don't know what happened in the end. I left before she made her decision.
Here I was scared to death, having cancer, and maybe having my baby too soon...and this woman thought of nothing but how she didn't want her baby. I'll never forget it. I was so ready to go home I couldn't stand it!!
Oh and of course we know that Gabriella was born perfectly healthy at 36 weeks along. :) I did have some preterm contractions again after my final chemo at around 32 weeks...but it didn't last long and I only stayed one night in the hospital that time.
Look at my little lady now....applying make up in the car. Ha!
What a nightmare - and that poor baby!
ReplyDeleteSO glad everything worked out for you and your little princess - who looks darling in that photo, too!
What a nightmare indeed. You are both very lucky.
ReplyDeleteHere's a few responses to your question about declawing.
Barb on August 04, 2010 said...
To your reader Sandi above... PLEASE do not de-claw your kitten! Thoroughly read up on what the procedure actually is and how it will effect your kitten over a lifetime. It's basically amputating the first digit of each claw. Front de-clawing means 10 amputations. It effects their balance and stance and how they walk thereafter. It effects how they play. It effects everything they do.
Sorry, Sandee. I loved your Pets Ten Commandments. Although I'm pretty much a sucker for ALL of their commandments. Big hugs :)
Jack K. on August 04, 2010 said...
Sandee, just loved this one. It reminded me of our late cat, Hazel. Unfortunately we were in France when she had to be put to sleep. Her health was so bad that we couldn't wait.
Sandi & Barb, the de-clawing operation is a big decision. It does require the removal of part of the toe. We did have it done with our Hazel. She was an inside cat and it never seemed to constrain her in any way. As for the neutering, go for it. It will change her disposition for the better. Sandi, you might want to watch how your girls "play" with her. They may not realize how rough they are being. Not all cats will appreciate being dressed in doll's clothing. We did have one cat who loved it. Go figure. Whatever you do, heap lots of love on all of them. It will pay dividends to all of you.
Marg on August 04, 2010 said...
That surely was a wonderful post and oh so true. Dogs are always there for ya, no matter what you do to them.
And I have to chime in on the declawing too. There is nothing worse you can do to your cat. I have heard that they will start biting if you do that to them. It is a very very painful thing to do to them. Please don't do it.
Have a great day Sandee and thanks for this wonderful post.
I declawed my cat when she was about six months old. I was young and didn't know any different. I wouldn't do it now though. I would fix the cat though.
Have a terrific day Sandi. :)