Update: T-30.7 weeks
Saturday, Apr 7, 2007
Someone asked for an update earlier. There’s not a whole lot new to say. The kids are alive. The house still stands. The laundry is (mostly) up to speed. We’re on a first-name basis with every employee at the local fast food establishments. But, more importantly, Amy is doing about the same as she has been since the inception. She is in bed about 23 1/2 hours a day and she hasn’t had any “good” days lately. In one of the rare lucid moments this past week the discussion was whether she gets credit for throwing up if there is nothing left in your stomach. I said, “No” but I suspect I’ll take some heat for my hard-line position.
I’m very grateful for the help we have received. Our friends from across the river lent us their daughter for a couple of days earlier this week so that I could go in to work and get some things done. That was a huge help and she did a fantastic job with the kids. They also sent with her two lasagnas, fresh, warm, home made bread, salad, and brownies for dessert.
No relief in sight yet, Amy is tired of my rather limited culinary repertoire, and it will probably get worse before it gets better. Nevertheless, we appreciate the prayers and concern.
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We are still praying. I soooo wish we were close enough to be hands and feet!
Comment by Shannon Miller (April 7, 2007 @ 2:21 pm )
Hope she feels better soon. God bless this little baby!
Comment by Pam (April 7, 2007 @ 2:31 pm )
I’ll be praying.
Comment by Kristina (April 7, 2007 @ 2:57 pm )
Yea, I have to say, I think she gets credit for throwing up, regardless of the outcome (no pun intended). It’s the thought that counts, right? And if her body thought it, I’d say she gets credit for the misery.
Hope she feels better soon.
Comment by Lora Lynn (April 7, 2007 @ 3:16 pm )
I was a lot like Amy with all of my pregnancies. You may want to let her OB know, there are a variety of medications she can take to help with the nausea and vomitting. I took Zofran with all 4 of my pregnancies and it works great. I still did not feel myself but I could atleast get out of bed and function. There are also supporsitories she can take and pills that dissolve in the mouth. It’s not good for anyone, especially the baby that she is this sick. You don’t want her to become dehyrdated and malnourished. Talk to her OB.
Comment by Monique (April 7, 2007 @ 3:58 pm )
Maybe its time for an IV–just to pump her up a bit and have a good moment at least? Having just done this last summer–I SO feel your pain.
Comment by Lyn (April 7, 2007 @ 4:32 pm )
I agree with Monique. Patty’s daughter, from “Morning Ramble” was terribly ill with morning sickness and ended up dehydrated and in the hospital until she started taking medication. I can only imagine how miserable she must feel.
Comment by nancy (April 7, 2007 @ 5:04 pm )
Poor Amy!! I’m continuing to pray for relief… and I’m all for medication if she can find something that works!
Comment by Lady Why (April 7, 2007 @ 6:03 pm )
The first thing Amy does when pregnant is request the meds from the OB. The OB knows her well enough that he calls it in for her before she even comes in for her first visit. She didn’t need it for #5, but this one has topped them all. Zofran does nothing for her and the Phenergan has lost its effectiveness this time around. I’m keeping tabs on the dehydration situation, to be sure.
Comment by Greg (April 7, 2007 @ 6:20 pm )
I’ve been checking in often to see how she’s feeling, and it still sounds awful. I just said a prayer for you all, and I’ll continue to pray until things get better. God bless you!
Comment by Samantha (April 7, 2007 @ 7:22 pm )
Oh no, poor Amy.
I am SO sorry to learn that she is still so ill.
And the medications don’t work? Wow. That sounds like an imbalance somewhere. The really tough part is - the more dehydrated you become, the more nauseous you feel.
Greg, please forgive me for intruding - I don’t mean to. I know that you are doing an incredible job. (I’m just concerned.) Have you let the doctor know that the meds aren’t working? She might need an iv just to get her fluid levels back up to regain some sort of balance - which in turn can help alleviate the horrible symptoms.
I have been praying for her, and for all of you.
Comment by Holly (April 7, 2007 @ 7:29 pm )
Poor thing! Continuing to pray for her!
Comment by Corin (April 7, 2007 @ 8:25 pm )
Man my heart goes out to you all.I know at the end all of this will be worth it but to go through this…..UGH!!
Have a blesed Easter!!
Comment by Tammy (April 8, 2007 @ 7:43 am )
By the way I love your update of T-30.7 weeks-Only a rocket scientist could come up with that!!Real cute.
Comment by Tammy (April 8, 2007 @ 7:45 am )
Cyber hugs and prayers for Amy et al! Hang in there sweetie. (Amy :))
You are a good man Greg. God bless you.
Comment by Janet (April 8, 2007 @ 12:37 pm )
Congratulations on the new blessing, and I’m praying for you all!
Comment by jen elslager (April 8, 2007 @ 1:47 pm )
Oh, Amy. I’m sorry you’re still not feeling well. I hope/pray the “morning” sickness ends soon.
Comment by Leslie (April 8, 2007 @ 4:43 pm )
Prayers are coming your way from Arkansas.
I wish I had something great to say, but I am just so sad that she’s feeling so awful! Cheer up, Amy! We love and miss you. I’m hoping that God will settle your upset stomach and keep that LITTLE GIRL safe and sound. (I am guessing it is a girl due to the sicky stuff)
Comment by sprittibee (April 8, 2007 @ 10:01 pm )
METOCLOPRAM was my saving grace first trimester. It’s more oftem used in Canada and I highly recommend it for any pregnant women with severe morning sickness. Great job Greg, tell Amy we’re just wait for her return to her blog and pray for her in the meantime.
Comment by Imajackson (April 8, 2007 @ 11:43 pm )
You are such a sweet hubby to take care of your wife! Here is a quick and easy dinner idea for you from the momys cookbook. Texas two-step chicken picante p. 190.
1 jar Pace picante sauce
4 T. Brown sugar
1 1/2 T dijon mustard
Enough chicken to feed your family (breasts or tenderloins)
Mix sauce ingredients. Place chicken in baking dish. Cover with sauce. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until done. I serve with yellow rice and a salad. Hope this helps. My 12 year old can make this! Maybe your son can help!
Comment by Nancy (April 9, 2007 @ 9:18 am )
We’ll be praying for Amy! I was on meds with all of my pregnancies too, but one of them topped the others and I in addition to a home nurse, and many meds I was finally given a PICC line (permanent IV line) and home hydration and TPN. I know your Dr. is keeping tabs on her and checking her her ketones, but wanted to mention this.
Comment by Sheri (April 9, 2007 @ 9:20 am )
Amy my heart just goes out to you! Praying for you!
Comment by Susanne (April 9, 2007 @ 10:43 am )
hang in there!
Comment by peri (April 9, 2007 @ 11:42 am )
i’m so sorry to hear of the continued difficulty.
IVs have saved my life more than once. i’m thankful for modern medicine….and fast food!
:0)
Comment by Elizabeth (April 9, 2007 @ 12:44 pm )
Frequent lurker here……I’m 20 weeks pregnant with my 3rd and have had significant sickness with all three, which usually lets up around week 14. I had Phenergan with the first two and this time, my midwife prescribed Reglan along with it. It saved me…you take one pill 30 min before eating and it helps speed up your digestion so the food doesn’t sit in your stomach all day (common cause of nausea). I still vomited several times a day and felt yucky, but the volume of food I was able to keep down due to faster digestion was significantly better. Hopefully something will work, I really feel for Amy and the trial that this is.
Comment by Rebekah (April 9, 2007 @ 2:17 pm )
“We’re on a first-name basis with every employee at the local fast food establishments.”
Greg: A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do.
Praying for Amy to feel better and have more good moments each day. Praying for YOU as you server her and your family and keep things running until Amy is functional again. I know it’s hard and seems like it will never end…….but it will end. She will get up and eat again and smile and laugh and take the house back over : ) And she’ll be sporting a cute little belly too!
Sorry we couldn’t come meet you last week while we were at Disney. God had other plans.
Comment by Stacey (April 9, 2007 @ 5:35 pm )
I hope that male sympathy is acceptable! I’m a new grandfather of twins and have been drafted for 2 and 5 a.m. It’s fun for me .. but I can’t imagine doing it all on one’s own. I hope, Amy - and Amy’s family! - that you return to good health at the soonest moment.
May God bless you with the knowledge that he is with you throughout this trial. Our prayers go with you as well.
Comment by Tom (April 10, 2007 @ 9:58 am )
Greg, Amy probably can’t stomach this right now, but the rest of your family should be able to. It takes about 5 minutes of prep and an hour to bake. Your wife would probably make lots and freeze some for later. You could get some bagged salad and rolls from the store, and this would be an easy dinner option for you!
Easy Chicken Manicotti
1 jar {30 oz.} spaghetti sauce
1 tsp. garlic salt
1 1/2 lbs. chicken breasts or tenders
14 uncooked manicotti shells
1 can {2 1/2 oz.} sliced ripe olives, drained
2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
1. Spread about 1/3 of the spaghetti sauce in ungreased rectangular baking dish, 13×9x2 inches.
2. Sprinkle garlic salt on chicken. Insert chicken into uncooked manicotti shells, stuffing from each end of shell to fill if necessary. Place shells on spaghetti sauce in dish.
3. Pour remaining spaghetti sauce evenly over shells, covering completely. Sprinkle with olives and cheese.
4. Bake 50-60 minutes at 350, until shells are tender.
And for dessert…
Easy, Tasty Pumpkin Squares
1 box of Spice Cake Mix
1 15 ounce can of pureed pumpkin
Mix the 2 ingredients. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. That’s it. This also helps your house smell great if you’re having last minute company.
Comment by Lisa (April 11, 2007 @ 4:10 pm )
Nancy and Lisa - Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about. Easy, quick, tasty suggestions for what to make. Bonus points to Lisa for throwing in dessert!
I’ve started skimming the Mommy’s cookbook and picked out a few things to try. Any suggestions from that cookbook are greatly appreciated.
My chicken casserole is in the oven right now. I’ll let you know how it goes…
Comment by Greg (April 11, 2007 @ 4:49 pm )
I was very sick with all of my pregnancies but not as badly as Amy is–meds usually worked for me. My husband was helpful, but I’m pretty sure I do not remember him reading cookbooks or cooking dinner! I think it’s safe to say, Greg, that you can use the phrase “We are pregnant” this go around!
Hang in there, Amy–I hope you’re feeling better soon!!
(And I’m de-lurking with this comment–there’s nothing like MS commiseration to bring out a lurker!!)
Comment by Sarah's in the midst of it (April 11, 2007 @ 11:36 pm )
Greg, I always use a crock pot/slow cooker. If you don’t have one, it would be worth buying (or borrowing). All you have to do is toss in the ingredients, flip it on, and let it simmer for hours. London broil works well, topped with a bag of baby carrots, some fresh green beans, sliced onion and celery (I slice them big so the kids can pick them out), and peeled potatoes. Pour a box of broth over it, salt & pepper to taste, and you’re set.
You could even make Nancy’s chicken recipe in it. (I’m having that tonight, BTW, Nancy, thanks!! And Lisa, yours is on the list for tomorrow.)
Amy must be in complete misery. Hope this helps a bit. I’ll pray for you all!
Comment by Judy Schneider (April 12, 2007 @ 9:03 am )
Oh, pregnancy sickness….. poor Amy!
Try this one, Greg:
Chili-Cheese Casserole
2 to 2.5 lb. ground beef
3 tbsp. dried minced onion or 1 diced fresh onion
1 can black beans, drained
1 can corn kernels, drained (or about a cup of frozen corn)
2 cans chopped tomatoes or diced tomatoes, drained
6 small flour tortillas (can use white or whole wheat)
8 oz. grated cheddar or jack cheese or “3 cheese blend” (buy a pregrated bag for ease of use!)
chili powder
cumin powder (optional)
1) Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Get out a 9 x 13 glass pyrex. Spray the bottom and sides with Pam or other cooking spray.
2) Cook ground beef in skillet until brown. Drain fat.
3) Add about 2 tbsp. of chili powder and 1 tbsp of cumin powder, to taste. Add the onion.
4) Cook for about a minute.
5) Add tomoatoes, beans, corn. Cook for 3 min or until all that stuff is hot.
6) Taste a little bit. If too bland, add more spices.
7) Take off the heat.
9) Make layers like this: 2 tortillas, meat mixture, cheese; 2 tortillas, meat mixture, cheese; 2 tortillas, meat mixture, cheese.
10) Cover with foil. Bake in oven for about 30 minutes or until it’s bubbly.
Total prep time: about 15-20 minutes if your meat is already defrosted.
Comment by colicmommy (April 12, 2007 @ 10:37 am )
5 minute Chicken Burritos:
Throw 4-6 chicken breasts in the crockpot in the morning (I use frozen chk. and don’t even need to defrost it). Sprinkle with 1-2 packets of taco seasoning. Dump in 1-2 cans of black or pinto beans–semi or fully drained. When you get home, put some shredded cheese (cheddar or Monterey Jack) in the crock pot. Stir up chicken/cheese mixture with a fork. It will fall apart. Put in tortillas and yum!! This is extremely easy, and everyone loves it…a favorite with guests. You can top with tomatos if you want to add some veggies. Hope this helps!
Comment by Craig'sWifeTiff (April 12, 2007 @ 12:25 pm )
Hey! You could totally take over her blog, Greg - and rename it something like…”Greg’s Rockin’ “It Ain’t Rocket Science” Recipe Blog!”
You can put together your own cookbook!
All good-hearted teasing aside…still praying for my dear friend, Amy, and her wonderful family.
Comment by Holly (April 12, 2007 @ 12:32 pm )
Here’s my personal recipe for Chicken Vegetable Soup. I made it because I wanted an easy, fast recipe for when I don’t really feel like cooking. Some bread on the side (I like rosemary focaccia) completes this meal. I usually throw ingredients into my bread machine for that, but you can find bread in the bakery section of the grocery store.
2 envelopes onion soup mix (2 envelopes come in a box. Onion-Mushroom works too)
2 small potatoes, peeled and cubed
16 ounces frozen mixed vegetables
1 tsp chicken boullion
2 large or 3 medium boneless chicken breasts
6 cups water
Bring all ingredients to a boil in a large saucepan, cover, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove chicken after the first 15 minutes if it is no longer pink, cube it, and return it to the pot. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Since you’re in Florida and the weather’s a lot warmer there than where I am in DC, I’d recommend frozen yogurt for dessert to cool down after eating it.
Comment by Lisa (April 12, 2007 @ 2:25 pm )
Here’s one for the kids to help with:
Pita Bread Pizzas
Top each piece of pita bread with pizza sauce (either canned tomato sauce with a little oregano and olive oil or jarred pizza sauce) and any topping they choose. A lot of kids will choose only cheese, but when they make it themselves they may want to add more toppings. You can chop up tomatoes, bell peppers, spinach, onions, pineapple, ham, chicken, ground beef, pepperoni, or just about anything they like. Bake the pizzas at 425 until the cheese is melted and beginning to brown.
Comment by Rodeo (April 12, 2007 @ 3:10 pm )
Hi Greg, You really are going to have enough recipes to have your own cookbook! When Amy gets to feeling better she will have a lot of new ideas for meals in a hurry!
Okay, Here is my favorite EASY and quick recipe: One can black beans, one can whole kernel corn, one can Ro-tel (tomatoes and green chilis) I personally like more beans than corn so we always do more beans. Serve with sour cream and/or cottage cheese and tortilla chips.
If you decide to try it, and your kids aren’t used to hot things be sure to buy mild Ro-Tel.
Oh! And for dessert…Our favorite thing with this type of food is fruit salad. Canned pineapple is also a favorite.
Comment by Rhonda (April 12, 2007 @ 9:31 pm )
note to self: one more reason to check amy’s blog?
to get great recipes!!
holy cow, you women seriously rock!
Comment by Elizabeth (April 13, 2007 @ 1:09 pm )
Greg, I was throwing ingredients in my Crock Pot this morning (thanks for reminding me how great Crock Pots are, Judy!) when it dawned on me: you’re a rocket scientist so “throwing ingredients in the crock pot” and “switching it on for several hours” might sound a bit less appealing to you than it does to some of us. Not to insult your ability to figure things out, but here are a few general crock pot tips to make it a little more of a science for you if you decide to go that route:
-put veggies in first
-put meat in second
-mix all of the liquid and spices together and pour over top of the meat
-cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 8-10 hours. The meat tends to be more tender if you cook it on low for longer. If the meat is thawed before you put it in, the minimum time in each of those ranges is plenty of time.
Now that you’re an expert, here’s what I put in my crock pot this morning, in this order:
3 stalks of bias-sliced celery
4 peeled, sliced carrots (though 15 or so baby carrots would work too if you don’t feel like peeling and slicing)
1 chopped, medium-sized onion
1 bay leaf
2 large chicken breasts
2 cans of cream-of-chicken soup
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon crushed thyme
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
When it’s close to dinner time, I’ll boil some water on the stove and cook 5 cups of egg noodles. While the noodles are cooking, I’ll shred the chicken with a fork and add a cup of frozen peas to the mix. I’ll then drain the noodles and add them to the pot and stir it all up. this is hearty enough to go by itself, but sometimes I serve it with salad. I spent 10 minutes this morning and will spend another 10-12 around dinnertime. It took me about 5-7 to type all of this. =)
Comment by Lisa (April 13, 2007 @ 2:50 pm )
Hi Amy, I am also expecting number six. With the first four I had hyperemesis and needed IV’s/medication. I trust that you feel better soon. When you talk about sickness, most people think nausea. It’s only when you’ve been there you know how debilitating and difficult it can be.
God bless,
Deborah (in Ireland)
Comment by Deborah (April 13, 2007 @ 6:17 pm )
[...] I found these delightful recipes on Amy’s Humble Musings blog. [...]
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