Two months ago, the Saturday after Valentine’s Day, I was home alone with the kids. Bennie, my husband, left for a ski trip that morning and planned to be gone for the week. I was a bit moodier than usual and when Ellie, our second grader, asked to go to a neighbor’s house I huffed and puffed because it was after 7pm. I finally gave in and walked her down to her friend’s house.
When I got back I flopped down on the couch and instantly was in pain. Christian, the pre-schooler, was watching TV unaware that I was curling up into a fetal position behind him. My first thoughts were I had a ruptured ovarian cyst. The pain was like a hot poker going through me. I compelled myself to go upstairs and take some Ibuprofen, which did nothing for the pain. I was forming my plan in my mind on how I’ll make it to the ER. My parents live with us but were out and about for the evening.
I got Christian to bed in record time (8:00pm) and told him that I may go see the doctor tonight. He sleepily said, “okay, Mama” and drifted off to sleep. Alright, one down, one to go. I texted our neighbors and asked that they bring Ellie home at 9pm. Once she got home we did bedtime and I laid with her, trying to hide my pain. I told her the same thing, that I’ll be going to see the doctor tonight.
Once asleep, I went downstairs and my parents were just settling in for the evening. I called my mom to the living, and when she came to me I whimpered “I need my mom.” She had heard this same tone before about 20 years prior when I had my appendicitis. This time, we at least knew it wasn’t the appendix. She immediately said she’ll drive me to the nearest ER and that I never complain about pain. Something had to be up.
On the way there, my mom asked if I was pregnant. I tried to laugh it off because I had an IUD in, but said anything’s possible since I’m happily married.
Once at the ER, things started to move a lot faster. I told the triage nurse that I was bleeding and unsure if it was my period since I had irregular menstrual cycles due to the IUD. I gave my theory that it was an ovarian cyst rupture due to the sensation that I had a hot rod poked through me. The nurse said she thought it sounded like a kidney stone, which I’ve never had. Again, I said anything’s possible. The ER doctor came in soon after the nurse left and said my urine sample came back positive for pregnancy. They soon got an IV in me to confirm my HCG levels and provide me with morphine to help with the pain.
It didn’t take long for the doctor to return with the results and to let me know that she’s put in an order for the ambulance to take me to the main hospital. She feared that with my symptoms that I was experiencing an ectopic pregnancy, which are more common with IUDs. Their location did not offer surgery or inpatient care. My mind switched focused to the kids. I asked my mom to stay with me until the ambulance arrived and then to be with Ellie and Christian. She said she’d get our neighbor to watch the kids so she can be with me for surgery and I told her I’ll let her know once they made plans.
Ambulance picked me up at 1am and zoomed me their sister hospital. I was so thankful the morphine had kicked in because it felt like the longest 45 minutes to get there. However, once at the hospital I felt so relieved. The hospital had a separate ER for pregnancy related issues and luckily it was as light night for them. The nurse, midwife, and doctor were top notch. They kept asking me if I was alone and if I needed anything let them know. Once the ultrasound technician came I knew the worse was happening. He was trying his best to whisper to the nurse who held my hand that I was hemorrhaging.
The midwife confirmed the ectopic pregnancy and said she wanted to let me know as soon as possible. I called Bennie and told him the plans, reassuring him I’ll be alright since my parents are helping with the kids.
I was prepped for the OR at 4am and was the only one there. It was so eerie while I waited for the anesthesiologist. They told me it’ll be quick to repair my tube but may need to take my ovary. Once again I was asked if I was alone. I could only be so thankful that we listened to my body and that I had family near by. I told my mom I’d let her know when the surgery was over so she could come get me.
I don’t remember much after the surgery except they said they were able to fix my tube and saved my ovary. I was being sent home and I could recover there. My mom picked me up at 7:30am, a beautiful sunny Sunday morning. Once home, I slept away my woes.
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