High's and Low's in just one weekend
As I crossed this finish line of the Blackpool Half Marathon on the 26th April 2015, Clare was looking a little drained, not feeling to great. Minutes later, after returning from the bathroom of the Hilton Hotel, Clare was convinced that she had miscarried. This was a long journey back to Bolton Hospital to confirm what we both already knew.
A couple of days earlier, we had done a few pregnancy tests as there was a possibility that Clare may be pregnant. The both came back with a very, very faint line. This was similar to the previous test we had done when Clare had the ectopic pregnancy. We pushed for a scan/blood test just to rule out the fear of a final ectopic which would end all chances of a successful biological pregnancy.
The results from Bolton Hospital came back that Clare was pregnant, although it was either an extremely early (2 -3 weeks) or an early miscarriage.
We went to Blackpool the day after knowing that we would need to return to Bolton on the Sunday to see if Clare's blood count had increased. If it had increased then it would be confirmed as an early pregnancy. Clare & I were hoping for a count of 56, but in our minds we both had a feeling were life was taking us, yet we tried to stay as positive as possible
When we arrived at Bolton Hospital on the Sunday afternoon, Clare told me to wait in the car as she would be in and out within minutes. After 40 minutes she still had not returned and after several texts it was apparent that 3 separate nurses had all failed to even draw any blood from Clare. I parked the car and went in to hold her hand, eventually the blood was drawn and the results confirmed.
We had only known of the pregnancy for a weekend, but it is still hard to comprehend how life can be so cruel. Clare and I know we will make fantastic parents and also have a loving family to support us every step of the way.
Our Nightmare
A couple of weeks after Clare had miscarried, we were told to do another pregnancy test to make sure everything had passed and Clare was returned to a healthy state. This result thankfully came back negative, the tablets had worked.
Clare continued to feel unwell even though the results would state otherwise, so we did another pregnancy test a few weeks later and a very faint line, and I mean VERY faint, had a slight inclination towards a pregnancy. This was confusing as a positive result would have meant a quick conception which had not been planned for. We got Clare in for a scan immediately.
Bolton Hospital, now knowing us personally, did another pregnancy test which came back negative, but the blood results showed a different picture.
The sonographer had done a scan which showed nothing, but continued on to find the solution to the confusion. This is when our worst nightmares were confirmed. Clare was pregnant but it was ectopic. An ectopic pregnancy is when the fetilised egg implants itself outside of the womb, usually in one of the Fallopian tubes. This means the the egg will not develop but causes serious problems to the mother. Clare was rushed into theatre after things progressed quicker than expected. A few hours later, Clare was safely back on the ward, but due to complications her right Fallopian tube had been removed.
Again, without Lynne the sonographer being as thorough as she was and the staff at Bolton being so fantastic, the implications could have been far more severe.
Another Angel
Whilst on our break in the Cotswolds with the Davies', Clare had a funny feeling that we had been blessed once more. After a little secret trip to Tesco and a test later, it was confirmed that Clare was pregnant.
After we lost Spud, Clare had numerous blood tests to try to ascertain the cause of our loss. Clare was diagnosed with Factor V Leiden, an inherited blood clotting disorder, and we were told that if we should be lucky again then Clare would have to receive daily injections to prevent clotting and thin her blood. So once we had confirmation I became Doctor Danny and the injections started. Even though I became very proficient with the injections with all the practice the bruising and pain caused by them brought Clare to tears every morning.
Bolton Hospital were active straight away once the pregnancy was confirmed with a scan at 6 weeks and 8 weeks, all before the 12 week standard scan time.
At 8 weeks and 4 days, our scan saw little baby's heart beat and growth going well. This was the last time we saw this.
On 23rd June 2014, the day of our 12 weeks scan, Clare awoke with concern as she had started bleeding, we rushed to Accident & Emergency at Bolton to which we were rushed to the Early Pregnancy Unit. Our scan confirmed that baby had died at 9 weeks and 3 days. This was a missed miscarriage and unfortunately 1 in 4 pregnancies end this way and there was nothing we could have done differently
It does feel that we are being tested by life to prove something, but believe me, Clare and I feel like we have definitely passed the test now and deserve a break.
Again, the support from Bolton Maternity Unit cannot be faulted and the staff are fantastic and a credit to the department. The midwife, Karen, with her jovial personality made a hard situation bearable, and Lynne the Sonographer who told us the bad news was caring to us from the very first scan. We both feel that people like Karen and Lynne, as well as the other staff who were there for us and people in our situation need acknowledging for the work they do and how they help people when they are at their lowest.
Karen, you are a wonderful person, thank you. (Remember, make sure people push the cord if there are any problems)
Our family and friends are just perfect and even though this must be heartbreaking for them as well, they continue to support and help us through these times
Another Angel sleeps.....
Our hearts are broken once again.....
But we are stronger together.....
and we will make it through this pain......
THANK YOU!
Thank you to all our runners, raisers and supporters.THANK YOU!
We raised over £1600 for the Maternity Unit at Bolton
Our story was shown in the Bolton Evening News
Couple Raise Money to Thank Medical Team
Running for Spud
(09/11/2013)
If you would like to sponsor us to raise money for the Central Delivery Suite at Royal Bolton Hospital, please donate here: Running for Spud
Thank you for your support
The Rat Racers are: Danny, Craig, Saz, Gaz, Gilly, Josh, James, Natalie, Daavv and Rosh
Beewell was a runner until the date was changed and has a prior arrangement, but he will be with us in spirit
When we have completed the run I will be posting pictures here and the final amount raised
Born Sleeping
(30/08/2013)
On Friday
30th August 2013 at 2:40am our beautiful baby boy Spud was born sleeping. Clare, myself and
all our family have been devastated by this news and thank everyone for their
support.
Spud Davies was 8oz and perfect. He had little finger nails, blonde eyebrows, massive feet and thankfully, Clare's nose. He remained with us whilst Grandparents came to visit and proudly held their beautiful grandson.
We are very proud of Spud, and love him dearly. We will always be his Mum and Dad and he will always be our son
The staff at the Central Delivery Suite
of Royal Bolton Hospital were absolutely superb. The support given to
Clare whilst she remained in hospital was second to none. Every time a
member of staff came into Clare’s room the conversations were heartfelt,
compassionate, and caring.
They would come in for a chat and sit
for a while with Clare actually caring about the conversation not just there to
make up time. When shifts ended, they came in to say bye to Clare and
have a hug and a cry. So from our hearts, Thank you.
In November, my brother, cousins, friends and myself are doing the Manchester Survival of the Fittest (a 10k run with obstacles every half kilometre).
Since our sad news we have decided we
are“Running for Spud” trying to raise
some money for the delivery suite that looked after both Clare and me.
It is a little something just to say thank you.
The Bump
(17/08/2013)
To give Clare a little break from the monotony of the same four walls day in, day out we decided that a little holiday in Wales with Mum and Kev would be a nice break
I went down to Wales with Clare on the Saturday and returned home alone on the Sunday, leaving Clare to the 2p Tipping Point machines, Talacre sunshine and fresh sea air.
When I returned the following Friday, either Clare had been munching on too many fresh fish and chips or Spud had grown exponentially! Our little bump had turned into a very big bump.Clare is also now feeling some kind of movement, whether this be changing lying position and Spud rolling from side to side or the occasional flutter. Now at 18 weeks, Spud will have developed massively since we last had a peek at the 12 week scan, and apparently Spuds taste buds have now kicked in.
Pretty magical times at the moment
Spud - can't wait to see you again in a couple of weeks.
12 Week Scan
(05/07/2013)
So it turns out our little spud has definitely taken some of dad's traits. Again, "Cheeky" has been mentioned as little Spud refused to sit still for the ultra sound scan. Doing little jigs, somersaults and at one point we thought Spud actually smiled for the camera.
Spud was not aligning as we wanted, so Clare was advised to go for a little 15 minute walk so to "re-position" for the photo.
After Clare's little walk around the car park several times, Spud had decided to play more games and had turned upside down. Luckily, the Sonographer quickly snapped the pictures needed before Spud decided to have another little jig and turn the right way round again.
We can clearly see the development of facial features (Clare isn't happy about the Roman Nose), hands and feet.
Just waiting on blood tests back, but everything seems perfectly healthy with "Spud" and our next scan is on the 20 week marker.
Now you have seen a clearer picture, maybe it is time to cast your vote across...is "Spud" a boy or a girl.
9 Week Scan
The first twelve weeks, whilst very exciting, are also very
scary. Anything that is unusual makes
you panic and think “should that be happening?”
But, with the re-assurance again from Bolton
we are confident that “Spud” is a happy (and cheeky) little baby.
I will keep you all updated as things progress....
A Little Scare – June 2013
It was followed the morning after with a trip to A&E as Clare had an episode of heavy bleeding and the one thought crossed our minds, we had had a couple of days of ecstatic news only to be crushed with a potential miscarriage. Unfortunately, as we had visited the A&E department on the Saturday Morning, this meant a grueling 48 hour wait till Monday morning for the ultrasound scan. This was a long weekend.
The scan came back with a positive result and our tiny baby smiled for the camera, mummy and Sue Sue
Due to the shape and size of the little blighter, it has been affectionately named “Spud”
With Clare feeling better about seeing the heart beat and the confidence of the ultrasound nurse we decided to tell Old Cuz Simon and Lejla (visiting from Australia for their beautiful daughter Liv’s 1st birthday), before they headed off to Croatia and beyond. This then lead to telling our whole family and a group of close friends.
Finding Out – May 2013
Clare was feeling a little unwell in Italy (see “Visit the Colosseum") but we put it down to a very choppy crossing to Capri and sea sickness. When we came back to the UK , Clare did a test to which we were presented with two lines meaning our lives were about to change dramatically.
Clare's family has had a history of twins so we were told that there was a "risk" of twins.
I smiled, thinking of two names. Clare looked at me, knew exactly what I was thinking and just said, "No!"
We told our parents who reacted exactly as we had thought, Clare’s mum was very giddy and excited, Clare’s Dad very emotional, and my Ma and Pa were both bouncing and subdued but very proud. It was a great feeling.
Clare's family has had a history of twins so we were told that there was a "risk" of twins.
I smiled, thinking of two names. Clare looked at me, knew exactly what I was thinking and just said, "No!"
We told our parents who reacted exactly as we had thought, Clare’s mum was very giddy and excited, Clare’s Dad very emotional, and my Ma and Pa were both bouncing and subdued but very proud. It was a great feeling.
As we are not finding out if it is a baby boy or girl, please see the Poll across (top right of the blog) to have a guess - we will let you know in January :-)
Secret Revealed
As some of you may have already guessed, my number 38 (which was marked initially as secret), was to become a Dad, to be able to say the infamous words "I am your father", to be able to pass on my years of useless knowledge onto a little offspring, but most importantly to add to our already happy and loving family
No comments:
Post a Comment