Hospital Admission

I've gone over this story so many times now that I've decided just to write up my 'hospital bullet points' that I scribbled down on the back of a 'get well soon' card. Here goes:

30/09/10

- I last ate a meal midday on the 29th of September, in the early hours of the morning I started to regutate liquids too.
- I suffered and tried to rest for the entire day, my last attempt to eat was breakfast but it became apparent that being starving hungry was much more comfortable.
- Rang the midwives at 18:00 and they suggested I come in. It was presumed I had a kidney infection or bad UTI but because I was in Ketosis and unable to eat they felt it best that they admit me.
- I was admitted by 19:00 and had an IV drip fitted after the 4th attempt due to my 'bad veins'.
- Was given paracetamol tablets (like that's going to help)
- Was started on IV Antibotics for my assumed infection. Was told that would relief the pain quickly but it had basically no affect.
- I managed to drink (with mild pain) 3 jugs of water by morning and got through 2 IVs.

01/10/10

- Urine showed I was still in Ketosis so was put onto my 3rd IV and had an attempt at eating breakfast (two slices of toast)
- Given 2nd dose of anti-botics
- Had dull throbbing pain for a couple of hours, finished my 3rd IV and because my fluids had improved I was taken off the drip.
- Severe pain started, started vomitting so recieved the rather brutal anti-sickness injection (painful, horrid injection in my thigh).
- Continued being violently sick anyway until all contents of my stomach (liquid and toast) were out.
- Ketosis got worse again since I could no longer drink. I went back on IV.
- Recieve liquid paracetamol into my veins for pain relief (much better than tablets)
- Ate a single slice of white bread of lunch.
- Pain starts up again
- Consultant comes to see me. I get moved to my own room but am desperate for pain relief.
- Receieve a second anti-sickness injection, which is painful and doesn't stop me being violently sick. They also have the effect of making you feel a bit drugged and woozy.
- Doctor comes down and authorises that I get pethedine for the pain.
- Eventually (after 4 hours) the pain subsides and the drugs knock me out for a bit.
- I'm given a steriod injection in my bum for babies lung development since they aren't sure if whatever is wrong with me will cause premature labour or they will have to get the baby out.
- 7 or 8 vials of blood taken for testing.
- Results at midnight show abnormal liver functions
- They stop the anti-botics after my 4th dose
- 5 more vials of blood taken.

02/10/10

- Next set of bloods show my liver abnormalities appear worse.
- Am able to drink again. I come off the IV...again.
- Liver specialist in belfast contacted.
- I wisely turn down breakfast and lunch.
- Doctor scans baby and finds it weights approximately 2lbs
- Even with drinking I'm still in Ketosis
- I go down to ultrasound and have a detailed scan of my liver, kidneys and galbladder
- I am told the most likely cause of my symptoms is Hepatitis A or a viral Hepatitis. I also have small galstones but they aren't causing a problem.
- I start drinking milk and slowly introduce rich teas.
- Keytones finally start improving.
- I ate my first proper meal of mash, beans and stuffed bacon roll.
- Before midnight I am completely out of ketosis and only have a very mild pain which subsides with a bath.
- I'm given a 2nd Steriod injection just to finish the course.
- Move rooms again and am informed that i'll be kept in till monday.

03/10/10

- 4 more vials of blood taken to check my liver function.
- Am able to eat and drink normally and continue to be completely out of ketosis
- High levels of glucose now found in my urine, but it's probably caused by the steriod injection.
- Liver function has improved
- Drink 7ltrs of water and am told to stop. Feel tired and a bit out-of-it all day probably due to the steriod.
- It's worth mentioning also, that this was a very, very, boring day.

04/10/10

- I get to go home about midday. I have to call in on wednesday for a blood sugar series (which on wednesday turned into another GTT...yuck) and a meeting with a consultant on friday. I also have a 28 week midwive appointment on tuesday and anti-natal classes on thursday...so um...busy week!