Halloween Sunday 2010
The day before the big day. As stated in my previous thread, I was feeling less than optimal. I woke up feeling excited and nervous for what was to come. Brent and I had to be at Cobb Hospital that afternoon for paper work and pre-op blood work. Brent's parents arrived that afternoon as well. We met up with my parents for dinner. I spent the entire day trying to wrap my head around what tomorrow would hold but all attempts failed. Nothing could have prepared me. Surprisingly I slept really well.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Brent and I were to report to the labor & delivery floor at 8 a.m. for my 10 a.m. scheduled C-Section. Upon arrival I changed into my lovely nursing gown (read: UGLY). My chiropractor's wife ended up being my C-Section nurse and took great care of us! I wasn't allowed food after midnight the night before and being a gestational diabetic without food for 9+ hours is less than pleasant. Ms. Nurse decided I needed some sugar water in my IV and I soon felt great. My team of doctors came in to speak with us before the procedure. Brent was then handed his change of scrubs and we were off.
I walked from the prep room to the operating room. Brent had to wait outside until the spinal was in place and the doctors were ready to start. I walked in the OR and had the pleasure of surveying all the scalpels, scissors and various surgical instruments lying about. I climbed up on the table, sat on the edge and waited for Dr. DeMarino to do his magic. Nothing like feeling your body one minute and having no control or feeling the next. They laid me down on an airplane looking board and called Brent in. He sat at the right side of my head with his camera in hand. Dr. Thompson came in and we began the procedure at 10:05 a.m.
Oh the odd things surgeons, doctors, nursers and anesthesiologists discuss in the OR. The nurse anesthesiologist was interested in Brent's camera and they carried on about that whilst I was under the knife. I didn't mind, anything to take my mind off the surgery.
I remember my nose itching madly and the most awful burning smell. I realized in recovery that was the smell of flesh burning away in order to keep the bleeding under control. Yack. Other than those two things I didn't feel anything. Praise God! Before I knew it, the nurse was telling me that I might feel some tugging and pulling. Tugging and pulling? Oh yea, I'M HAVING A BABY any minute. I didn't feel that tugging and pulling but I did hear Dr. Thompson say the shoulders were hard to get out. The next thing I hear is lots of awing as I held my breath waiting for that first cry.
Just a few seconds after he was delivered, I heard the most precious sound I've ever heard. I've never been more appreciative of being blessed with the ability to hear and see as I was at that moment. I offered a momentary prayer of thanks to God as I waited for Oliver to be lifted over the curtain.
As I saw my son that I had carried within for the first time I was overwhelmed, at a loss for words and completely in love. Oliver Edmunds Holloway was born at 10:21 a.m., weighing 9.1 pounds and measuring 21 inches long. Perfection.
Seeing Mommy for the first time
Proud Daddy in recovery
Everything.
