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Friday, December 28, 2007

Week 19!

Baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces, is 6 inches, and is about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Hair on the scalp is sprouting.

I've been having some achiness in my lower abdomen, usually its a quick, sharp, stabbing pain on my right side. Apparently, this is round ligament pain, and it's caused by the stretching of the muscles and ligaments that support my growing uterus. It's nothing to be alarmed about, but it really catches me off guard sometimes!

Friday, December 21, 2007

Half Way Done!!!

I threw up this morning because Hub made eggs, but on a happy note, I'm half way done being pregnant!

Baby is approximately 5 1/2 inches long and weighs almost 7 ounces - about the length of a bell pepper. I still don't feel any movements, but at the next appointment they should be telling us the sex!

Buying maternity clothes has taken a huge leap to the top of the To Do List (thanks mom for helping me shop!)

Watching the TV rewind or fast forward doesn't make me as motion sick as it has been. However, there are no more comfortable sleeping positions. I sleep very little and now that we have a new baby puppy I sleep even less. I can't remember anything, I am dizzy when I get up, my bodily functions no longer cooperate, I have a headache constantly, I am tired all the time, my body is achy, my nose is stuffed up yet things still smell super smelly... On a happy note, I ate taco bell for the first time since I've been pregnant and it was a pleasant experience!

Friday, December 14, 2007

Week 17

Baby weighs about 5 ounces now and is around 5 inches long - about the size of turnip!

Milk products don't sound as disgusting this week, so I tried some hot chocolate, apparently that was a mistake. I was sick for 2 days. I have been getting really bad headaches, not sure if its pregnancy related or something else.

I went to the doctor's office - this is my 3rd visit to the new doctor - the first time I had to wait 3 hours for my appt because he was delivering a baby, the second time I had to wait 2 hours (same reason), this last time I waited for over an hour before they told me he wasn't coming back and to just reschedule. It's very frustrating, but I guess when it's my turn to deliver at least I know he will drop everything and come running!

Friday, December 7, 2007

Week 16 (Month 4)

Baby is about 4 1/2 inches long and 3 1/2 ounces - about the size of an avocado! In the next three weeks, baby will double in weight and length!

It's still too early to feel the baby move or to tell it's sex, but hopefully both will be happening in the next few weeks! :)

I had to buy a new softer toothbrush, all the extra blood the baby is making has my gums bleeding every time I brush, so now I have this new soft little tiny brush that sorta cleans and only makes me bleed a little.

Friday, November 30, 2007

15 Weeks

Baby now measures about 4 inches long, weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces, and is about the size of an apple! Baby is forming taste buds this week!

I still have morning sickness, and I am now down by 16 pounds. I have "rhinitis of pregnancy" which is a constantly stuffed up nose due to the combined effect of hormonal changes and increased blood flow to my mucous membranes. No nose bleeds tho, which are also quite common, so thank goodness for that!

Friday, November 23, 2007

2nd Tri-mester!!!

We went to the doctor and got to hear the heartbeat, but no ultra sound this time, so no pix :( The heartbeat was 155 beats per minute. I'm still very sick, the Doctor said it should start fading soon. Baby can now squint, frown, grimace, and possibly suck it's thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, facial muscles are getting a workout as tiny features form one expression after another. Baby is now about the size of a lemon and weighs 1 1/2 ounces! I still can't feel any movements but supposedly Baby's arms and legs are very flexible and active! :)

Friday, November 16, 2007

Week 13

Fingerprints have formed on Baby's tiny fingertips, veins and organs are clearly visible through the still-thin skin, and Baby's body is starting to catch up with her head — which makes up just a third of her body size now. Baby is almost 3 inches long (the size of a medium shrimp) and weighs nearly an ounce!

Friday, November 9, 2007

Week 12 (Month 3)

I can't believe I have been throwing up and sick for 3 months now - when does this end?!? It's physically and emotionally draining to either be throwing up or feeling like you want to throw up 24 hours a day for 3 months in a row.

I have lost 14 pounds total now and the bad dreams are getting worse. Last night I woke up crying and screaming for help.

On a happy note, the baby is just over two inches long, weighs half an ounce, and is about the size of a lime!

Friday, November 2, 2007

11 Weeks!

We went to the doctor and got another ultrasound pic, I feel like its been ages, but its only been 4 weeks since the last picture! The baby is just over 1 1/2 inches long and is about the size of a fig! Tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under the gums. And when the doctor (this is the new guy) was looking around with the ultrasound wand, the baby wiggled all over the place!!! It's completely amazing to see that little tiny person kicking and stretching, almost like water ballet. I can't feel the movements yet, and probably won't be able to for another few months. Many thanks to mom-in-law for the hand-knitted blanket!



Thursday, October 25, 2007

It's a fetus!

My tummy still doesn't feel good and things smell stronger than ever and not in a good way. I'm very limited in what I can eat or even be around. I have lost 12 pounds so far. Being pregnant is the best weight loss program I have ever been on! :(

A friend of a friend suggested I take B6 and unisom 3 times a day, I checked with my doctor and was given the green light (and appropriate dosages). This seems to help a bit if only intermittently. But I REALLY appreciated the advice!

The baby is about the size of a kumquat and is beginning it's fetal period. All organs necessary to sustain life are formed. Tiny nails are forming on fingers and toes (no more webbing)! And the baby's limbs can bend now! I can't wait for the next ultrasound!

Friday, October 19, 2007

Preggy Pops

I am 9 weeks pregnant today! My morning sickness is still off the charts, but I am keeping it under better control with the advice of my doctor. My last visit at the Fertility Center was the official last visit. I have to find my own OBGYN now.

I read online that the baby is nearly an inch long now, is about the size of a grape, and weighs just a fraction of an ounce!

Many thanks to Katie who is sending me some preggy pops to help keep my morning sickness under a bit more control!

Friday, October 12, 2007

8 weeks! (Month 2)

I have continued to have morning sickness all day long, not sure why they limit the name to morning time only, its quite the misnomer. I have lost 10 pounds with all the nausea. We went to the doctor today and she said as long as I am able to keep something down every once in a while, it will be okay. We got to see the baby who is now the size of a coffee bean and HEAR the heartbeat!!! It was amazing - 155 beats per minute!!! They also printed pictures for us - very cool!

Saturday, October 6, 2007

Gross & Cute!

I spent Tuesday night puking my guts out. Most everything smells disgusting and I can’t really eat most foods. I can’t stand the thought of any meat products or anything greasy or oily or even containing oil. On the bright side, my online calendar says that buds on the ends of my embryo’s arms and legs grow into webs that will become fingers and toes – so cute!!!

Monday, October 1, 2007

Confusion with a capitol C!

Today we went to the doctor. It turns out I have been counting my weeks of pregnancy wrong. I have been counting since my IUI, but most people and doctors count from the last cycle day (because most people don’t know their exact date of conception like I do). So instead of being 4 weeks and 4 days pregnant, I am really considered 6 weeks and 4 days pregnant, even though the child has only been in existence for 4 weeks. Confused yet? I am.

Anyway, while at the doctor I had an intra-vaginal ultrasound and the doctor said he saw one definite heart beat. He thought he might see something else but it was too early to tell and that we should come back in 2 weeks so he can see what’s really going on. Seeing the embryo’s (which is the size of a grain of rice) heart beating was just amazing! It’s no wonder I feel so sick, there’s a little being in there creating it’s brain and stuff!

Friday, September 28, 2007

Uh oh

I've been really nauseous lately. It's been really bad. There is nothing to puke up or I would just puke, ya know? but I am sick because of the hormones and I can't puke those up, they aren't in my stomach. If I blow my nose too hard or bend over too fast or sit down too fast or brush my teeth or smell fish, I dry heave. I have had 4 liters of ginger ale in the last 4 days. I have ginger candy I eat too, and crackers, I think I just have to try to not let my stomach get too empty cuz feeling hungry makes me want to puke too.

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Life is a Miracle!

We are officially 3 weeks and 2 days pregnant! The Blastocyst has become an Embryo and has three seperate layers. The outer layer becomes the brain, nerves, and skin. The middle layer becomes the bones, muscles, blood vessels, heart, and sex organs. And the inner layer becomes the stomach, liver, intestines, lungs, and urinary tract. The inner ear is forming now and by the end of the week the heart should start to beat, although it's almost impossible to hear until around 6 weeks. By the end of this next week, buds on the ends of embryonic arms and legs grow into webs that will become fingers and toes, and blood will circulate throughout the embryo! We are so excited!!!

Monday, September 17, 2007

Progesterone

I have had a lot of questions from folks about the Progesterone I am taking. My Dr. prescribed 100mg for the first 11 weeks of my pregnancy. It is a steroid hormone that supports gestation and embryogenesis. Progesterone converts the endometrium to its secretory stage to prepare the uterus for implantation. During implantation and gestation, progesterone appears to decrease the maternal immune response to allow for the acceptance of the pregnancy. Progesterone decreases contractility of the uterine smooth muscle. In addition progesterone inhibits lactation during pregnancy. And there you have it Ladies and Gentlemen, learn something new everyday! :)

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Just 268 days to go!

We went to the Doctor this morning to get my blood drawn for a pregnancy test and the nurse just called, we are officially 2 weeks and 3 days pregnant!!! While we were waiting for the results, we took a pregnancy test, see it below! (it turns out the blood I was seeing on the 11th was implantation!)


Tuesday, September 11, 2007

WTF?

I had bloody CM today, I am kinda freaking out, I don't know if this is a miscarriage, the start of my cycle, a reaction to the medication, or some kind of pregnancy symptom I've never heard of before. Anybody have any input?

Saturday, September 8, 2007

Figure That One Out

I took a pregnancy test this morning and it came back negative. Hub pointed out that the packaging said it was for in-vitro, so I don't know if I bought the wrong kind of pregnancy test or if the shot of HCG they gave me has warn off and I don't have enough from my pregnancy to show up on the test or if i'm just not pregnant.

I haven't been feeling well, I have made a scale of numbers to express my nausea. The scale goes from 1-3, where 3 is puking, I'm usually around a 2 all day and night long, sometimes worse, sometimes not. I also feel really tired all the time and my bras are too small suddenly. I hope I'm pregnant, because if I'm not, there is something else seriously wrong with me!

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

The All Knowing Global Positioning System

I had a dream last night that I was driving my car and needed guidance so I looked down and there was a GPS built into my dashboard. It had a map on it and then suddenly a window popped up and the message in the window said, "Congratulations, you're having a girl!" I was so excited that in the dream, I thought to myself, "I can't wait to tell Hub!" LOL!

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

5/23/2008

I have been feeling a lot of heartburn the last 3 days, so I went and got some Tums, the pharmacist was very excited that I needed Tums, lol! She made me excited too, which I am trying not to be just in case the IUIs didn't work, but I came home and looked up my EDD (estimated due date) based on my Aug 31 ovulation of 3 bars and my EDD would be 5/23/2008 - that's a Friday! :)

Monday, September 3, 2007

12 more days

There are just 12 more days until my preganancy test! I was thinking about testing early, but then I found out that pregnancy tests look for HCG in your urine and I had a shot of HCG so of course it will be present in my body. I guess I really do have to wait until the doctor does a blood test!

TMI Alert! (Too Much Information can be bad if you are squeemish or are about to eat or have just finished eating... be warned!)
I have been taking the progestrone vaginal suppositories. They have to be one of the more troublesome components of my fertility treatments. They are sort of like birthday candles and they melt and make a huge mess everywhere. Very unpleasant! :( They are supposed to be real good for the baby tho (if there is one in there!)

Friday, August 31, 2007

3 bars!

I woke up this morning and peed on the stick and the machine said I was at 3 bars - woo hoo, ovulating!!! I felt really bloated as we got to the doctor at 8:45am for Hub's washing to occur. At 10:45am I felt even more bloated and my ovaries were hurting. Time for the IUI. I was lucky to get the most gentle doctor there, he explained everything and showed me the catheter and how it worked and where he was putting it, and was really gentle about putting the scapula in and taking it out. I had to lie there for 10 minutes to give things time to gel, and I started to feel crampy (they said that was normal). Finally the 10 minutes was up and we drove home, I felt even worse by the time we got home and went straight to bed to lie down. I lied down for about an hour and a half but had to get up because it feels like I have indigestion and its so uncomfortable to lie down - I don't know if this is part of the ovulation or IUI or if breakfast just isn't sitting right, or what. I'm so thankful I get to just take it easy today.

The doctor said the next step would be to call in 15 days if I hadn't started my new cycle by then. It all seems rather anti-climatic to have all these appointments almost everyday and then be told to just wait around for 2 weeks, don't make another appointment. I want to know that I am pregnant right now! I don't want to wait! Below is a count down timer to help me out:









Thursday, August 30, 2007

Evie?

This morning at 8:45am Hub's donation was washed and by 10:45am I was having the IUI. I go tomorrow for another round. I don't feel any different, but I am having some bloody discharge. I think that's normal due to being stuck with the needles and whatever else they did while they were in there poking around.

My fertility monitor said I was only at 2 bars this morning, so maybe tomorrow we will be at 3 bars and I will feel more confident in having the IUI.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Only 10?

Today is cycle day 10, they took more blood and did another intra-vaginal ultrasound. The egg that was at 15mm is now at 18mm and there is one on the other side that is 21.5mm! I have never had an egg at 21.5mm ever!!! The doctor said there was another egg that was about 18mm as well. He said its only a 5% chance that all 3 would become fertilized tho (thank goodness!) he said I could stop the injections and he gave me a shot of HCG (which helps promote ovulation) - (My ovulation machine was at 2 bars today, it will prolly be at 3 bars tomorrow with the HCG shot). So Hub and I have appointments Thurs and Fri for IUI!!! I am SO excited!!!

Monday, August 27, 2007

Just hook it to my vein!

Yesterday they took blood to check my estrogen levels. They called later that day and said things are moving right along and they wanted to take more blood today. So I went in today and they did an intra-vaginal ultrasound too. My eggs are around 15mm (they need to be between 18-22mm before insemination) to me the ultrasound looked like about 6 of my eggs are developing this cycle, hopefully just one or two will be at the right size when they inseminate (I'm not quite sure what I would do with 6 babies!) Once my eggs are the right size, we have opted for IUI (Intra-Uterine Insemination) as opposed to IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization) because it is much cheaper and a lot less invasive for me. I have another appointment on Wed and depending on the size of my eggs I might get the HCG shot and be inseminated before this coming Monday! I am really excited, say a prayer for us!

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Baselines

Yesterday, I gave blood - they wanted a baseline and to check for any disorders.

Then today I went in for my baseline vaginal ultrasound which looked good and then had a consultation to explain my calendar of events and to make several appointments for the following week for both me and Hub (he got a list of instructions too!).

Tonight, I gave myself my first shot of Follistim. I was having some anxiety about the needle and having to inject myself since I have never done anything like this before. Its' rather intimidating because the prescription is faxed so you don't really know what you are getting, then you open an ice-chested sized box with alcohol swabs, gauze, bandages, tubes of medication, needles, injection pen, bio-hazard disposal unit, ice packs, and etc. But I did surprisingly well, the needle went in without much pain, the pushing of the medicine was difficult but now that I know how it works I will do better next time, then i waited 5 seconds and pulled out the needle. There was a little blood, but that's what the gauze is for. There was a little stinging, but it subsided and I have a lot less anxiety for tomorrow's shot!

Along with the shot I am to take one baby asprin (to increase my blood flow) and of course my prenatal vitamins which I have been taking for almost 5 years now.

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Cycle day 50 on clomid?

I picked up the Provera prescription and have been taking it everyday. It's a 7 day prescription and the pharmacist said it would only take a few days to work, but my Reproductive Endocrinologist said it would take all 7 days (they were both wrong, it took 5 days). Provera is horrid, it gives me the creepiest nightmares I think I have ever had, the mood swings aren't as bad as the clomid and estrogen, but I have been incredibly thirsty and just plain old starving all the time (not to mention my face is breaking out). So I got my cycle started, tomorrow will officially be cycle day 1, and will begin the injections Tuesday if all goes as planned! Keep your fingers crossed for me!!!

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Let's get it started!

Today is cycle day 46. I emailed my doctor and asked her if I could start taking Provera to get my new cycle started so I can get the injections going and get pregnant already! She gave me the green light and I will be able to pick up the prescription today or tomorrow. I asked if I was being too impatient and she said I wasn’t. It’s hard to be patient after 4 and a half years!

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Rx

The injectables come via mail from the pharmacy. I was told to wait home from 12pm-5pm so that FedEx could deliver the package, as it needed to be refridgerated and they would not leave it on the doorstep. I waited home all day long and went to do some laundry for about 5 minutes and apparently that is when the FedEx guy came - I guess I didn't hear him over the sound of the washer filling up. So then I had to wait (according to the note he left) until after 5:15pm so I could go pick it up. The directions I had were all wrong, so after being lost in rush hour traffic for who knows how long, I called the 800 number and was put on hold and transfered and finally talked to a person who gave me directions. Once I arrived, I was told FedEx does not refridgerate anything ever, they don't have cold storage. Thankfully, the pharmacy packed the meds with an ice pack and i was able to get them home and into the fridge.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Test Results

My doctor just called to tell me I tested positive again for the bacterial beta strip in my vaginal vault so i will be on anti-biotics for the 3rd round to try to get rid of this stuff, if this round of anti-biotics doesn't get rid of it, then i will be considered a carrier and they will have to treat me with anti-biotics during delivery so the baby doesn't get infected.

50 big ones

I went to the Longs Drugs near my house to buy some more of the fertility monitor test sticks because i used the last one today and the store didn't have any again, this is the 3rd time. I asked when they would be getting some in, and no one seemed to know, then some girl came over and had me fill out paperwork to special order some, so i did, then her co-worker came over and said you can't special order that item, so the first girl thru all the paperwork i had just filled out into the garbage. then some lady came over and she kept scratching her crotch, it was so distracting i could barely listen to her say that she had no idea what test sticks were. then a 4th lady came over and said she would look in the computer and she looked for about 20 minutes and then came back over to me and said the sticks would arrive tomorrow or the next day, ugh, i need them for tomorrow morning! So i had to drive all the way to Wal-Greens and thankfully they had them. I hate that 30 sticks cost $50 and with my long cycles I have to use about a box every cycle.

Friday, July 20, 2007

Injectables

I had my appointment this morning at the Fertility Center to learn how to give myself the shots in the stomach since the other treatments are not working. The shots will come unassembled and I will put them together into a pen-like utensil sort of like an epi-pen. I will give myself the shots everyday in the belly button area for up to 20 days depending on several variables, such as the dosage and my egg's growth cycle (the cost of the medication increases each time the dosage increases, the financial adviser we met with gave us a ballpark estimate of $3000). I start the shots on cycle day 2. I am currently on cycle day 20. I will have to make daily or every other day visits to the Fertility Center for monitoring and vaginal ultrasounds and blood draws. When my eggs do what they are supposed to, Hub makes a donation which is "washed" meaning they take out the slow, mal-formed sperm as well as some certain liquids and other stuff and then do an IUI which stands for Intra-Uterine-Insemination. This means they take the semen and use a long utensil to insert the semen into my uterus which gives the semen a quicker journey to the egg area. I was told there is a 30% chance this will make me pregnant. I thought I was told 90% at my last appointment, but I guess I misunderstood. If I don't get pregnant, they will increase my dosage and we can try up to a total of 3 times before they recommend IVF (in-vetro-fertilization, which is where they put the eggs and semen in a test tube and fertilize it and then stick it in my uterus - this is considered a surgery where i am put to sleep) If I do get pregnant, there is a 20% chance of multiples. After all this I was crying and once I stopped crying we went to Denny's and of course, our waitress was pregnant which made me cry again, so I went into the bathroom to cry for a while, then I washed my face and at my moon-over-my-hammy. Please pray for us!

Sunday, July 15, 2007

15

It’s cycle day 15 and I’m still not ovulating, even with all this mediation. The doctor said my eggs are only at 8mm, they should be at 20mm by now. They made me an appointment for this Friday with a nurse to learn how to give myself the injections (they will be once or twice a day for up to 20 days). Then after that I have to meet with the financial planner lady because apparently the shots are going to cost between $2780 and $3180 depending on the dosage they start me on. There is a 90% success rate for people like me who are younger but for whom the chlomid/estrogene/dexamethasone didn’t work. If you know of anyone who hasn’t seen my site, please send them the URL, http://GiftOfHope.itgo.com

I am trying to think of something positive amongst all the negativity. I always imagined having my baby with an April or May birthday, and if the shots work during the first round, I will get that wish! If not, we do another round with a higher dose of medication which means another $3000, ugh. And if we decide we want 2 children, we get to do this all over again. I guess at least we will know the routine and not have to do all the guess work all over again. *sigh*

EEK! (and I don't mean the cat)

This medication has enhanced my sense of smell. I can smell everything to the point of almost being able to taste it and let me tell you, most of the world smells disgusting!!! Febreze is my new best friend, I spray it several times a day in my car and where ever I happen to be. Last night this horrible smell was coming from the drain, so I sprayed the drain. P U!

I also have been having the worst nightmares! The one last night was about penguins stabbing themselves with pointy chopsticks, I’ll spare you the rest of the gory details – eek!

Monday, July 9, 2007

The Next Round... DING!

Its day 9 of the medication. I’ve become over-emotional to where I cry at Kleenex and pet food commercials. My speech center doesn’t seem to be firing 100% anymore either, I have a B.A. in English and its beyond frustrating for me not to be able to speak properly no less coherently.

On a positive note, I got a henna fertility prayer tattooed on my leg, don’t worry, it only lasts for 2 weeks or so, but is very pretty and reminds me that it isn’t just me who has troubles with fertility, these troubles span all races, creeds, and abilities. It really freaked out my FIL who thought it was a real tattoo, lol! Thanks to Kellie for going with me and getting a henna tattoo of her own! :)

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Here we go again

It's that time again, I get to start taking the pills again. Three times the clomid, three times the estrogen, three times the dexamethazone, and a shot of the peptide hormone. I'm glad to be on "track" again but at the same time, I don't like taking so much medication. It kinda screws with my moods and emotions, and poor Hub seems to be the recipient of much of my madness. Hopefully the medication will work this time around, I'm really not looking forward to having to give myself shots in the stomach.

The odd thing is, I felt like the last round of medication was finally leaving my system, all I had left to work on was my anger displacement and I was going to be back to “normal.” I just have to remember the ultimate goal, Evie (or Eric) is worth the sacrifice, I would do anything for my children!

Sunday, July 1, 2007

$$$

My belly-button incision is healing nicely, the part that looked like a piercing has closed up, but it’s still red and raised. The lower incision has started to scab over from my previous mishap – hooray!

Another bill came yesterday, $800 for the anesthesiologist!!! Don’t get me wrong, I was happy to be anesthetized while various parts of my body were being cut into, but I had no clue how expensive it was! Having surgery is not like buying anything else in life, there are no price tags and you don’t get to decide what you want to purchase. It’s like sleep-shopping, you wake up and realize you have spent a lot of money but you don’t know how much or on what! I can’t wait to see how much having a baby costs! YIKES!!!

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Do Emus have oily skin too?

I haven’t slept well since last Thursday (when Hub’s family came to visit) and I woke up one night and my lower incision had come open and was bleeding all over me and my PJs and the bed, I guess I either stretched funny or scratched it in my sleep. I kinda feel like I am back to square one with that.

A friend of mine said to minimize scaring I should put emu oil on the healed incisions, so I went and got some at a health food store, I hope it works!

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Scalpel, STAT!

I cut out my stitches today. I know, I know, but the whole dissolving on their own thing wasn’t happening, so after 10 days of pulling on them in pain, I cut them out instead. I’m sure it will be fine. The location of the knot in the stitch was causing a small hole to heal near my belly button. It sorta looks like my belly button is pierced now, lol! So, the stitch needed to come out. It looks more normal now, despite the incision site which is still healing up. No stitches came out of the other incision, its still healing too, slowly but surely. :)

Saturday, June 2, 2007

Post-Op

I had my post-op appt, my Dr says I'm healing slowly but surely. She was concerned about some pain I was having near my bladder and ovaries so she did some tests and sent them to the lab, they came back negative.

The stitches have started coming out. The Dr told me to tug on them a bit to help them wiggle out. I was shocked, isn't the Dr supposed to tell you to leave it alone, don't pick at it, etc? Well I fiddled with the stitches and man does it hurt, so I am leaving them to dissolve on their own! Phew!

Monday, May 21, 2007

Do what?

I never realized how many things I use my stomach and stomach muscles to do! Besides bending over, I now know the kitchen counter is belly button height, so whenever I reach for something in the cupboards above the kitchen counter (like a glass for instance) I wince in pain as my belly button connects with the edge of the counter. Other newly observed stomach issues: I open things using my torso, I tried to open a small box of muffin mix today only to realize my instinct was to rest it on the front of my body while my hands pried into it – wincing again. Other issues: lifting things, sitting down, getting up, opening a window, closing a window, the list goes on and on! :(

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Back to the Basics

I had a bit of a set back today. I yawned and stretched and it was a bit too much, I pulled muscles or something around my ovary area about 3 inches right of my belly button. The whole area is super sore and I feel like I am back to square one with this whole frustrating healing thing. :(

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Three Days

Three days after my surgery I realize I am really itchy under my left arm. I have Hub come take a look (cuz I was still in bed all day at that point) and the doctor left an EKG pad stuck to me. I guess I had some sort of reaction to the sticky part because there is STILL a rash there today and it is STILL itchy! I’ve been putting hydrocortisone cream on it twice a day! As much as the rash bothers me, it bothers me even more that I was so completely out of it that I never even realized there was something stuck to me for THREE DAYS!!! :( Out of sympathy and friendship, “C” explains that I’m the rashiest person she knows.

I’m still afraid to take the tape off my stitches. The Rules and Regulations sheet I was given said not to take the tape off, that it would come off on its own, but with being so itchy and rashy from the tape under my left arm, it seems like taking the tape off the stitches would be saving me from getting another rash. On the other hand, I don’t want to undo any stitches by taking off tape that may be holding them into place.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Steve Urkel?

Because of my stitches being where they are, I am unable to wear any clothing with a waist line - where it belongs - around my waist. I have been wearing sweatpants because they are loose and comfortable, but I have to pull them up almost to my neck so the elastic waist line doesn't touch my stitches or the general stitches area. Don't get me wrong, the stitches are healing, but the entire abdominal area is still black and blue and very sore. A big sarcastic “thanks” to Kellie for helping me realize last night that I now dress like Steve Urkel and am not allowed to leave the house unless I want to be laughed off the street! ;)

I want to give a big shout out to my baby kitten, Mook, who has been taking such good care of his mama! =^..^=

Monday, May 14, 2007

The Big Adventure... Outside!

I feel a bit better everyday, but its still really frustrating for me to realize that such simple things make my body so tired when my brain is ready to go go go! I went outside for the first time today since my surgery, it was an odd feeling. It was extremely exhausting. My hips feel like they are on fire and so do my feet and stomach. I still can't bend over or lay down on my side or stomach. But I am eating regular foods, so that's a good step. I have been doing some digital scrapbooking to keep my mind busy while my body isn't busy. Its fun, and I enjoy the mental challenge of learning how to make random everyday objects pixel by pixel.

I want to send a big THANK YOU out to everyone for all of the wonderful support you have given me, I am very blessed to be surrounded by such giving hearts. Thank you!!!

Friday, May 11, 2007

Post-Op

I made it thru the surgery! My doctor took the polyp out and it has been sent to the lab for testing. My doctor took a bunch of pictures while she was in there and I get to see them at my next appointment. She did a dye flush to be sure the plumbing isn't clogged and checked around for endometriosis and fibroids. She said everything looked really good and after a cycle hiatus, we can start fertility treatments again.

I have an incision in my belly button and one just above my pubic bone. They have 3-4 stitches each but despite how small the incisions are, they hurt a tremendous amount. I can't sit up by myself or lay down by myself, etc. Thankfully Hub is here to help me out. :)

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Here we go!

This blog is a new feature - thanks to my sister, cuz it was her idea! :) It's a great idea cuz i can keep everyone appraised of my status at the same time!

Today was the pre-op appointment. I got to hear all about the risks and had to sign all kinds of scary paperwork that says i won't sue if the unthinkable happens, blah, blah, blah. Then I got the laminaria put in. Now, I'm not a doctor, but from what I understand, a lamineria is like a tampon made from surgical grade kelp which is used to dilate the cervix so the surgery tools can pass thru without having to force the cervix open with a tool which can cause ripping. As my best friend says, "I try to avoid ripping any part of my body if I can help it." Good advise C!

So, tomorrow is the big day - wish me luck!