Bringing My Triplets Home and Restarting My MS Treatments

This is Part 3 of a 3-part series about Calie's experience giving birth to her triplets. Part 1 talked about her pregnancy and going into labor. Part 2 discuss the birth and her babies being rushed to the NICU (newborn intensive care unit). Read the last part of her story below:

Graduating from the NICU

Once my babies learned to eat out of a bottle instead of the NG tube, I held them more each visit to the NICU. After 31 days, our Baby B, Kenlyn, graduated from the NICU and joined us at home. Three days later, Baby C, our tiny Emersyn, joined her. Baby A, Lawson, was the slowest to come home as he struggled the most with learning to eat independently and had severe reflux. He finally got to join his sisters and older brother at home after 39 days in the NICU.

39 long days

Those 39 days going back and forth to the hospital, splitting my time between all four kids, and feeling the emotions of getting to take one baby home at a time were some of the longest, hardest days of my life. I was still recovering from my first major surgery, and in the back of my mind, I was fearful of an MS relapse after such a difficult pregnancy.

Going back on Gilenya

Thankfully, a few days after all three came home, I was able to do my first dose observation for Gilenya in the comfort of my home. From the beginning of the pregnancy, I knew that it would put my mind at ease, knowing that I got back on my disease-modifying medication as soon as possible after their birth. I had to do what was best for my body and disease to properly take care of 4 little ones without risking a relapse. I was already tired enough as it was, and I didn't have the time or energy to worry about anything debilitating happening to me or being unable to care for my babies properly.

Medications to help with my moods and my fatigue

I also immediately got back on Cymbalta to help stabilize my moods, and a few months later, to my disappointment, I had to be put on something for fatigue so that I could get through the long days. As hopeful as I was that I could continue without medication for fatigue, my body was telling me otherwise, and I had to set aside my pride. I still, to this day, have to remind myself that I'm not like every other mom, I have MS, and I have to be pragmatic and diligent to do what is best for me. In general, motherhood and parenthood are hard, and we should never feel guilty for doing what we have to do to survive. Once I started the medication (my doctor prescribed me Adderall XR), I thankfully saw a drastic improvement in my energy levels and focus, which was desperately needed.

I needed the energy to care for 3 newborns

Pure exhaustion and running on fumes were still my new normal there for those first few months. Every second was a blur, but being back on my medication gave me the confidence, motivation, and patience to face each new day. It is one thing to bring home one newborn, but taking home three is a completely different experience. Those first 6 months were an adjustment for our new family of six and an authentic learning experience. It was learning to feed babies every 3 hours, sleep when I could, and pay attention to a new big brother who had just turned five and desperately needed his momma, too. I had to learn to balance my health, take care of myself, and rest.

Life as a mother of 4

Since having our triplets, life has been three times as exhausting, but it has also filled our lives with three times the love, joy, and cuddles. I would not trade it for anything in the world. They are now fourteen months and thriving. You would never know they were once fragile preemies. Stay tuned for more updates on my new journey as a mom of 4 with MS.

Thank you for reading!! If you want to follow more of our journey and keep up with our crazy, beautiful life, you can follow me on Instagram here: @caliewyatt_tripletsandson.

With love,

Calie