Topic : 04/12 Twin Tug of War

When I watched the show, I was deeply saddened by the disease.  I had never heard of it before, but I can relate.  I have something that makes me be in pain on a daily basis, which is nerve and muslce pain in my back and arms.  There are things I can't do, and when I first got this, the pain was so bad that I tought I was going to die.  At the time, the pain was throughout my entire body.  My significant other thought that I was overreacting and making it seem worse than it was; I wasn't.  My family wasn't truly there for me and didn't know what the heck was wrong with me.  No one came to visit me and I didn't receive many phone calls asking how I was.  I basically, through tears and pain, had to find out what was wrong and deal with this all on my own.  When I asked my significant other to go with me to appointments, he said, "Do I have to?"  That broke my heart.  At the worst moment in my life, I was alone, and it is very hard for me to get over this.  I went to 3 neurologists, visited the hospital twice, saw 2 regular doctors, etc.  I am still in pain daily.  These women who get hyperemesis, I cry for.  I know what it feels like to suffer and feel helpless and scared.  I only hope that some good does come out of it, whether we try to reach for the positive things in life or what have you.  For me, it's hard.  Through my pain, I have realized that when it comes down to it, my family really does not love me, but I am stronger than I thought I was.  I just wish I did not have to be alone or worse, made to feel "guilty" for my pain.  No one should feel bad for being in pain or having a disease.  People like us need love and compassion.  To the 30 year old who suffers from Gastroparesis; I am so very sorry for what you go through! If you would like to email me, you can contact me through my email at tjsbonnie@yahoo.com.  That goes for anyone else as well.  I am here, and I'm a good listener.  I wish you all the best!  You deserve it.   

Quite obviously with the behavior that this Mom was exhibiting, no one should have let her sign these papers. I can imagine tears, or hesitation, but calling 911!  That happening should have been a huge red flag.

I hope this Mom gets her babies back. I couldn't imagine what she went through with this illness. Everyone knows how bad it feels to be nauseous and then have to actually vomit. Its not pleasant and those few minutes its happening can feel like forever. Now having to deal with this all day of everyday, what a viscious cycle. That would be an awful way to live.

Instead of punishing this woman, we should be giving her our love and support for enduring this and not giving up and quiting on those babies. Because she could have said, this is enough and aborted those babies. But she didn't, she endured unending agaony to give them a chance at life. What she did is worthy of much repsect.

About 2 years ago my wife and I went through a HG pregnancy.   My wife was in the hospital for 2 months with IV, and once released, was taking 17 pills per day (every 2 hours or less, 24 hours per day) to control the disease.  She was continuously told by nurses that this was in her head.  Taking a shower was a hell of a challenge for my wife.

From a husband's prospective, you feel totally helpless seeing your wife in a hospital bed with an IV, for nothing more than being pregnant.  I was the lucky one who was not suffering with the disease, but emotionally and physically this was a real drain, as I also had to ensure that I was able keep my work and take care of our dog.  I was lucky as my employer was flexible and ensured that I did not have to travel for the time my wife was pregnant.

Watching this show has brought all those memories flying back.  Not sure how we will sleep tonight.  

We have discussed having a second child.  But have come to the realization that going through IVF, and most likely HG again, this would not be possible as we now have a young toddler as well.

Dr. Phil, thank you very much for airing a show on this.  I truly hope that more people out there will realize that this is not in the mother’s heads.  Would you vomit 30 times per day for the fun of it?

First of all the adoptive people, not parents, should be very ashame of themselves.  And they must be since they are not so willing to appear in public or on the Dr. Phil show for "STEALING" Allison's twin babies.  If they remain with this awful couple I hope that the twins will grow up resenting them both.  On the 9-1-1 call who was "HE" that wouldn't give her the papers back?  Was she referring to the boyfriend, the attorney, etc?

The "1" thing that I wasn't very clear about was why Allison signed the papers approving the adoption the 2nd time.  Dr. Phil asked the question twice, but really didn't get a definitive answer.

I also thought that in an adoption process that you are allowed to change your mind in a certain amount of time.  The couple that "STOLE" Allison's twin are "EVIL" and I am hoping  that just will be fair in this case and give the mother back "HER" children. 

One last thing, Dr. Phil asked Allison that since the couple has a vested interested shouldn't their feelings be considered?  She answered correct---->"HE** NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Personally, I think Allison is a bad choice to represent women with Hyperemesis, because she has some serious and unresolved mental disturbances.  How do I know this? Well, it couldn't have anything to do with the fact that it oozed from her every pore could it?  It came through in her affect and her answers.  It's great to draw attention to your cause, but don't be so desperate to do it that you attach yourself to a crazy person.

I shudder to think of those babies going back into that woman's hands.  I also question the integrity of her attorney for pursuing such a matter. 

Most of all I wonder about this phenomenon of the limelight, because it sure does make people do some strange things.  One thing I like about Dr. Phil is is doesn't seem like he has compromised himself to get where he is ~ that comes through on his show.  He's never afraid to say what he thinks.

Meanwhile, legions of women have rallied behind Allison getting her kids back without even taking a good look at her ~ the media momentum is frightening and I hope it won't have any sway in a courtroom. 

I think the people in the courtroom are going to be looking at the family that Allison is threatening to divide.  They are going to be hearing both sides of the story ~ and, as Dr. Phil reminded us, there are two sides.  Even the one side that Allison and her attorney presented today didn't paint her in such a favorable light. 

Allison needs help ~ she shouldn't be languishing in a jail cell ~ but she shouldn't be allowed to divide up and traumatize a family, either.

I had HG with all 3 of my pregnancies.  The first was while my husband was in medical school.  One of the other student's wives was a little further along than I was, and she had HG.  She had a catheter placed for meds/IV's that became infected, she became septic and died.  I was scared to death, losing weight like crazy, and questioning whether I could continue the pregnancy.  Through trial and error(and everyday was different), I learned to time my vomiting around small amounts of food and liquids, in order to maximize absorption. I found that if I vomited before small meals, I was able to keep them down longer.  You learn what things hurt coming back up, because you know you're going to see it again.  Seafood chowder? Same going in and coming back up-LOL! Watermelon is great for hydration. Crunchy things like carrots and pretzels are good, too.  I never found alot of support from my OB's or their nurses, so I just learned to handle it as best I could. 

     There are no pictures of me during any of my pregnancies.  I wouldn't allow them-because

I looked too scary--cachectic, pale with deep undereye circles.  My gums were in horrible shape

from all the vomiting.  Not the "pregnancy glow" that most people enjoy.  My body just didn't do

pregnancy well--at all.

     After my third child, I became an RN and I'm a mother/baby nurse.  Whenever we get an HG

admission, I usually get them.  I love that I can give them the attention/sympathy/care that never

was available to me.  I also try to empower them with many different methods to "hang in there"

and survive HG.  I always tell them the "door prize" at the end of this ordeal is SO worth it!

Trust me, it is so hard to care for a marriage, let alone a toddler while trying to survive a HG pregnancy that requires constant fluids. If I had been properly diagnosed with HG during my first pregnancy, I would have never wanted to have a second child through my own pregnancy. We are now talking about adoption down the road as our desire to have a larger family remains with us but we know that we simply could not manage another HG pregnancy.

I'm sorry you and your wife wish for more children but fear HG. All I can say is that there are so many others out here that feel the same way.

Blessings to you and your wife.