Well this stinks. Seems my bladder is not doing well these days. So that I have a record of it, here's the timeline/run down:
Friday, Apr. 11 - started feeling BAD (18 1/2 weeks)
Wednesday, Apr. 16 - couldn't stand it anymore, and saw Dr. Boone. I have fairly consistently done better in the mornings and worse in the afternoons, so I didn't suspect a UTI. However, she told me I had one and was sending it for a culture. I took 48 hrs worth (4 doses) of Macrobid before the culture came back negative on Friday and I stopped the antibiotics. At the appt., she also did an ultrasound to be sure I'm emptying properly, which I am.
Saturday - BAD day...Sunday - good day...Monday - bad day...Tuesday - bad, but little better, day...Wednesday - good day...
Monday, Apr. 21 - went back to see what could be done for my symptoms since we ruled out a UTI. She's given me Urelle and Tylenol-3 to try (cleared with my OB) and I think I'll definitely be using them during our road trip tomorrow to Charleston. Again, my urine looked suspicious (showed lucosites? sp?) and they cultured it again.
Thursday, Apr. 24 (today!) - got results that culture is positive for infection so I'm going on a full 7-day course of Macrobid this time. I hate that it makes me nauseaus but I hope that it helps to alleviate some of the symptoms I'm having. Whatever this is is probably a mild infection since I've had good and bad days throughout the past 2 weeks.
I've also found a friend on the IC network that I've been exchanging emails with which has been nice. She's due in October and has had a very similar IC history, although she has some other issues like fibromyalgia and gastroparesis. It does help to have someone to talk to who is going through some of the same things.
Michael's been doing great - did I even post about the big ultrasound at 18w4d?? He looks perfect and was weighing in at 9 oz that day. He kicks up a storm most days and I am getting so excited to have him in my arms soon. Only 4 1/2 months to go!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Friday, April 4, 2008
Swimming and Kicking
It's official! What I've suspected for about two weeks as possible baby movement is now DEFINITELY baby movement. I've also been feeling what could be minor Braxton Hicks contractions...or maybe bladder spasms? I don't know.
I'll be 18 weeks on Monday so I guess I started suspecting tiny movements in my 16th week. Now it feels like tiny taps inside, only really noticable when I'm sitting quietly. I'm sure if someone walked by my office just a minute ago, they'd wonder why I'm staring off into space in a trance. Just concentrating and smiling!! It's such an awesome feeling. This is what makes me sad for anyone, man or woman, who can't carry a child. There's just nothing to describe it and it makes my enjoyment a little bittersweet.
My nausea has been so much better lately, although I still have icky evenings and times when I get a big wave. I'd say that week 16 was a big turning point. My bladder has been pretty okay, too, but I would not say that I'm in remission by any means. I still notice a difference when I eat something I shouldn't and I'm still religious about taking my Elmiron. My hope is beginning to run out that I'll have a true remission, but I guess you never know.
We've been working on redoing Ella's room in pink and brown, celebrating the transition to her queen sized bed. It's starting to look good and she's doing so well! I can't believe how grown up she's becoming.
The nursery is coming along great as well. Wes is working on finishing painting today and I've been slowly bringing in things like hampers, bookshelves and throw pillows. I really do love this part of planning. But I think it's getting too expensive!
We have our "big" ultrasound next Thursday and I really can't wait to go. Our blood test and NT scan revealed very low risk factors for things like Down Syndrome, and that has given me some confidence, but I know I'll be a bit nervous while they do the ultrasound.
Hunger pains are kicking in...I'm gaining so much weight! The scale had me up almost 10 pounds this morning which I'm refusing to believe. I was 3 pounds less at the beginning of the week so I'm going to hold onto that. In the meantime, I had my breakfast sandwich without cheese and I might be skipping the tortellini in cream sauce I had my eye on for lunch. Ha!
I'll be 18 weeks on Monday so I guess I started suspecting tiny movements in my 16th week. Now it feels like tiny taps inside, only really noticable when I'm sitting quietly. I'm sure if someone walked by my office just a minute ago, they'd wonder why I'm staring off into space in a trance. Just concentrating and smiling!! It's such an awesome feeling. This is what makes me sad for anyone, man or woman, who can't carry a child. There's just nothing to describe it and it makes my enjoyment a little bittersweet.
My nausea has been so much better lately, although I still have icky evenings and times when I get a big wave. I'd say that week 16 was a big turning point. My bladder has been pretty okay, too, but I would not say that I'm in remission by any means. I still notice a difference when I eat something I shouldn't and I'm still religious about taking my Elmiron. My hope is beginning to run out that I'll have a true remission, but I guess you never know.
We've been working on redoing Ella's room in pink and brown, celebrating the transition to her queen sized bed. It's starting to look good and she's doing so well! I can't believe how grown up she's becoming.
The nursery is coming along great as well. Wes is working on finishing painting today and I've been slowly bringing in things like hampers, bookshelves and throw pillows. I really do love this part of planning. But I think it's getting too expensive!
We have our "big" ultrasound next Thursday and I really can't wait to go. Our blood test and NT scan revealed very low risk factors for things like Down Syndrome, and that has given me some confidence, but I know I'll be a bit nervous while they do the ultrasound.
Hunger pains are kicking in...I'm gaining so much weight! The scale had me up almost 10 pounds this morning which I'm refusing to believe. I was 3 pounds less at the beginning of the week so I'm going to hold onto that. In the meantime, I had my breakfast sandwich without cheese and I might be skipping the tortellini in cream sauce I had my eye on for lunch. Ha!
Monday, March 17, 2008
The Official First Trimester Tally
In retrospect, I would definitely say this first three months went more smoothly than with Ella. The sickness hit both times at 5 1/2 weeks, and this time, it began getting a little better after 10, then 12 and then 14 weeks. I'm 15 weeks today and I'm hopeful it will get even better in the next few weeks.
I spend large portions of the day with no sickness at all, but there are still pockets where I feel pretty yucky - the evenings are still the worst, too. I'm gaining some weight now. This morning I was at 143.5 and I started somewhere around 139, I think. I'm also officially "showing" and people are guessing that I'm pregnant these days. It's so amazing how much more quickly it happened this time.
My bladder has good moments and bad, but still no signs of remission. I pray for it every night. The constipation (oh, the horrid constipation) cannot be helping much. Also on the symptom list is some back pain, lots of breast pain and fatigue. Only six more months to go, right?!
Maybe someday soon I'll feel the little guy move around in there. I'm really looking forward to that day. At our NT scan at 13 1/2 weeks, the u/s tech was "reasonably sure" it's a boy and since I've had such a strong feeling myself about having a boy, I'm confident she's right. We'll find out for sure in five weeks, though.
I started back at work on March 10 (well, really the few days before that since I was helping with the SMM) and so far, it's been fine. I'm doing okay getting up in the morning, though I'm not exactly in here at 6:30 a.m. yet. Actually, this morning it was hard to wake up. We moved Ella to a "toddler" bed (her crib, but with the conversion rail) and she fell out three times. After that, I put her matress on the floor and the rest of the night went much better. She landed on pillows so she's fine, but I had to go in and soothe her each time. I'm now looking into toddler bed rails and we'll probably just move her into the queen sized bed next weekend.
That's all I have time for right now...I'll work on posting more soon.
I spend large portions of the day with no sickness at all, but there are still pockets where I feel pretty yucky - the evenings are still the worst, too. I'm gaining some weight now. This morning I was at 143.5 and I started somewhere around 139, I think. I'm also officially "showing" and people are guessing that I'm pregnant these days. It's so amazing how much more quickly it happened this time.
My bladder has good moments and bad, but still no signs of remission. I pray for it every night. The constipation (oh, the horrid constipation) cannot be helping much. Also on the symptom list is some back pain, lots of breast pain and fatigue. Only six more months to go, right?!
Maybe someday soon I'll feel the little guy move around in there. I'm really looking forward to that day. At our NT scan at 13 1/2 weeks, the u/s tech was "reasonably sure" it's a boy and since I've had such a strong feeling myself about having a boy, I'm confident she's right. We'll find out for sure in five weeks, though.
I started back at work on March 10 (well, really the few days before that since I was helping with the SMM) and so far, it's been fine. I'm doing okay getting up in the morning, though I'm not exactly in here at 6:30 a.m. yet. Actually, this morning it was hard to wake up. We moved Ella to a "toddler" bed (her crib, but with the conversion rail) and she fell out three times. After that, I put her matress on the floor and the rest of the night went much better. She landed on pillows so she's fine, but I had to go in and soothe her each time. I'm now looking into toddler bed rails and we'll probably just move her into the queen sized bed next weekend.
That's all I have time for right now...I'll work on posting more soon.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Still In It - Is There Light Out There?
Today we're 11w2d and I'm having a better day today. The last two evenings were awful, so I'm feeling quite grateful! Is there a light at the end of this nausea tunnel yet? Puhleeze?? I'm guessing I have less than a month of this left. It can't go by fast enough.
In general, I'd say my IC has been better the last week. I'm holding out hope that I will still go into remission but in the meantime, I'm taking my Elmiron and praying a lot. My breasts are still incredibly sore and you wouldn't believe the tummy that has popped out on me. I can't believe it's here so soon! I had to go get a couple of pairs of maternity jeans today. They are blissful.
I took Ella over last weekend to Dallas and we did some maternity shopping there, too. There are some really cute things out there and it gives me a reason to shop which is great. The trip was fun, but exhausting. I was not feeling well a lot of the time and not having Wes around to help "parent" Ella was draining. I really appreciate all that he does to take some of the burden off of me, especially in the evenings.
Next weekend we're going to visit Matt and Amy and it should be easier since all three of us will be going. I just hope flights are running on time and it's not too terribly freezing!
Another big thing going on is that I'm having trouble getting a doctor to sign off on my leave of absence so I may be going back to work next week. I'm not sure I'm well enough to do that but I won't have a choice since I'm going to lose my pay and benefits otherwise. I have an appointment Friday with my new OB's office to determine what they'll do. I seriously will cry if they don't sign off. It's just going to be a struggle to be in the office every day until I'm over the worst of this nausea.
In general, I'd say my IC has been better the last week. I'm holding out hope that I will still go into remission but in the meantime, I'm taking my Elmiron and praying a lot. My breasts are still incredibly sore and you wouldn't believe the tummy that has popped out on me. I can't believe it's here so soon! I had to go get a couple of pairs of maternity jeans today. They are blissful.
I took Ella over last weekend to Dallas and we did some maternity shopping there, too. There are some really cute things out there and it gives me a reason to shop which is great. The trip was fun, but exhausting. I was not feeling well a lot of the time and not having Wes around to help "parent" Ella was draining. I really appreciate all that he does to take some of the burden off of me, especially in the evenings.
Next weekend we're going to visit Matt and Amy and it should be easier since all three of us will be going. I just hope flights are running on time and it's not too terribly freezing!
Another big thing going on is that I'm having trouble getting a doctor to sign off on my leave of absence so I may be going back to work next week. I'm not sure I'm well enough to do that but I won't have a choice since I'm going to lose my pay and benefits otherwise. I have an appointment Friday with my new OB's office to determine what they'll do. I seriously will cry if they don't sign off. It's just going to be a struggle to be in the office every day until I'm over the worst of this nausea.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Mind the Gap
I guess I'll start by apologizing to myself for not posting for a while! How am I supposed to remember each week if I don't post each week. Magic, I suppose. Anyway, I'll do a (quickish) update while Ella is entranced with Sesame Street. The last couple of weeks have been a bit crazy.
First, how am I feeling? Well I'm 9w5d, and I think my nausea has been improving the past few days. The evenings starting around dinnertime are still quite hard, but I'm feeling pretty okay during the day - maybe hovering around a 4 on the 10-point scale? I still have sore boobs, not nearly as much cramping, lots of breaking out, fatigue and my bladder's not been well at all. I'm mostly upset about that last part. Starting yesterday, I'm doing my very best to get 3 Elmiron doses in a day to see if that starts to help in a month or so. I'm taking 2 at once before lunch and 1 in the mid-afternoon. It's just so hard to go more than an hour or two without eating since it makes my nausea so much worse.
I had been working from home which was working out fine, but then Home Depot had a big lay off. My entire team got cut and I probably would have gone, too, but Brad created my old projects job again to keep me. So the bad news is I no longer have a team and this is a job I did two year ago, but the good news is I'm still employed. Sort of. The day after the announcement, they asked me to stop working from home and go on a leave of absence until I'm able to get in the office full-time. So. I'm at home with no job right now. Not bad, really, but I'm not feeling very productive. I have a lot of projects I need to get done around here, though, so I'm going to concentrate on those things before feeling pressured to go back to my job. Mostly, I need to get our 2007 family movie done, taxes completed, and a few other things. Last week I managed to get our Manning Homes brochure content 95% done and off to Michele to do the artwork. She's pregnant too and is about three weeks ahead of me - I'm very excited for her!
I think I may also work in a quick trip to Texas and maybe one up to New Jersey while I'm out. Honestly I get 90 days paid leave and there's not a huge rush to get back, aside from not wanting to take advantage of the company. They don't even have work for me to do right now so there's nothing waiting on me. I bet I'll be feeling better and will head back in 3-4 weeks. We'll see.
First, how am I feeling? Well I'm 9w5d, and I think my nausea has been improving the past few days. The evenings starting around dinnertime are still quite hard, but I'm feeling pretty okay during the day - maybe hovering around a 4 on the 10-point scale? I still have sore boobs, not nearly as much cramping, lots of breaking out, fatigue and my bladder's not been well at all. I'm mostly upset about that last part. Starting yesterday, I'm doing my very best to get 3 Elmiron doses in a day to see if that starts to help in a month or so. I'm taking 2 at once before lunch and 1 in the mid-afternoon. It's just so hard to go more than an hour or two without eating since it makes my nausea so much worse.
I had been working from home which was working out fine, but then Home Depot had a big lay off. My entire team got cut and I probably would have gone, too, but Brad created my old projects job again to keep me. So the bad news is I no longer have a team and this is a job I did two year ago, but the good news is I'm still employed. Sort of. The day after the announcement, they asked me to stop working from home and go on a leave of absence until I'm able to get in the office full-time. So. I'm at home with no job right now. Not bad, really, but I'm not feeling very productive. I have a lot of projects I need to get done around here, though, so I'm going to concentrate on those things before feeling pressured to go back to my job. Mostly, I need to get our 2007 family movie done, taxes completed, and a few other things. Last week I managed to get our Manning Homes brochure content 95% done and off to Michele to do the artwork. She's pregnant too and is about three weeks ahead of me - I'm very excited for her!
I think I may also work in a quick trip to Texas and maybe one up to New Jersey while I'm out. Honestly I get 90 days paid leave and there's not a huge rush to get back, aside from not wanting to take advantage of the company. They don't even have work for me to do right now so there's nothing waiting on me. I bet I'll be feeling better and will head back in 3-4 weeks. We'll see.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Hanging In There
Here I am. 7w4 or 5d. And still making it. In fact, I haven't thrown up in nearly a full week and I've been able to eat a reasonable amount every day, even if it is hard to get down most of the time. All in all, this has been fine. My biggest fears are that I'm heading into the hardest weeks, but I have to keep pushing those thoughts back, reminding myself that I need to just take it one day at a time. There's no law that says it has to get worse. This could be pretty much it and then I may start getting some relief in a few weeks. I really hope so. Either way, all I can do is keep my head up and power through each day.
Aside from the constant nausea, which for the record's sake is worse in the evenings, but better mid-morning through early afternoon, I have a few other symptoms. I still have a lot of tenderness in my breasts, and my face is breaking out - possibly the worst it ever has in my entire life. I started using benzoyle peroxide (doc recommended as safe) two nights ago and I'm already seeing a little improvement. I'm also very tired and have been having some stomach upset. That last part makes me wonder if my body is just over-reacting to foods that would normally be fine. It's not constant, but does come and go. Two things that do make me happy is knowing I can still read at night and can even turn on my side a little when sleeping. I remember not being able to do either with Ella because the nausea was so bad.
My bladder has been bothering me somewhat, but it's not terrible and I'm trying to not get very excited about it. The problem is finding times during the day to take my Elmiron. I know I need to keep trying, though.
Aside from the pregnancy, there's been a lot of other things going on. Kate was diagnosed with diabetes last week and it really caught us all off guard. Amy and Matt are learning a lot every day and it seems they are doing well adjusting to the new routines. Granny also spent a few nights in the hospital but they were not able to determine what was causing some numbness in her arms. They sent her home with a clean bill of health and we're hopeful she'll continue to do well.
On a brighter note, Molly starts a new job on Monday. We're all very excited for her.
Well, it's about time to go pick up Ella from school. Gotta run.
Aside from the constant nausea, which for the record's sake is worse in the evenings, but better mid-morning through early afternoon, I have a few other symptoms. I still have a lot of tenderness in my breasts, and my face is breaking out - possibly the worst it ever has in my entire life. I started using benzoyle peroxide (doc recommended as safe) two nights ago and I'm already seeing a little improvement. I'm also very tired and have been having some stomach upset. That last part makes me wonder if my body is just over-reacting to foods that would normally be fine. It's not constant, but does come and go. Two things that do make me happy is knowing I can still read at night and can even turn on my side a little when sleeping. I remember not being able to do either with Ella because the nausea was so bad.
My bladder has been bothering me somewhat, but it's not terrible and I'm trying to not get very excited about it. The problem is finding times during the day to take my Elmiron. I know I need to keep trying, though.
Aside from the pregnancy, there's been a lot of other things going on. Kate was diagnosed with diabetes last week and it really caught us all off guard. Amy and Matt are learning a lot every day and it seems they are doing well adjusting to the new routines. Granny also spent a few nights in the hospital but they were not able to determine what was causing some numbness in her arms. They sent her home with a clean bill of health and we're hopeful she'll continue to do well.
On a brighter note, Molly starts a new job on Monday. We're all very excited for her.
Well, it's about time to go pick up Ella from school. Gotta run.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Officially In the Thick of It
What a week. Starting around 9 p.m. on Monday, I began feeling very ill. I was up on the couch all night, and vomited between 3 and 4 a.m. I was also having terrible stomach cramps and called the doctor first thing after they opened at 8:30. They got me in for an early OB work up since I was so ill, which was nice. I got my first ultrasound where Peanut measured 6w2d (I think I was really 6w1d) with a heartbeat of 107 BPM. It was wonderful to see.
So far, Tuesday has proven to be my toughest day. Wednesday through Friday were easier, and Glenn and Sandy came down to help out. Last night ended up being quite rough again - dry heaving at 5 a.m. is not my idea of a good time - but I'm doing better right now. Ella and I are pretending to blow bubbles and watching Dora while Wes gets some sleep. Apparently some one who thought they were dying was keeping him up all night. Oops.
My mom is flying in today and staying until Wednesday and I'm really grateful. I think it's going to make these next 7 weeks or so a lot easier to handle if Wes has help with Ella and I have company around to keep myself out of my own head. So far, I think I'm managing okay without too much anxiety or panic. It's definitely a daily focus to stay calm and just control what I can and ride out the rest.
I'm officially working from home for the time being and my team is really helping to pitch in where they can. If I need to, I know I can just go on LOA, but I really would like to avoid that. I have to remind myself that even with Ella, I never was hospitalized for dehydration, I lost less than 12 pounds, and if the anxiety hadn't gotten so bad, I think I would have been in much better shape around 14 weeks as opposed to suffering through until past 20 weeks. I think I have better tools to manage myself this time around and I'll keep focused on the fact that every day that passes is one less I have to make it through. Soon enough, I'll be eating with an appetite again, going out with friends and enjoying my favorite part of pregnancy - those little flutters and kicks.
I'm going to make it just fine. One day at a time.
So far, Tuesday has proven to be my toughest day. Wednesday through Friday were easier, and Glenn and Sandy came down to help out. Last night ended up being quite rough again - dry heaving at 5 a.m. is not my idea of a good time - but I'm doing better right now. Ella and I are pretending to blow bubbles and watching Dora while Wes gets some sleep. Apparently some one who thought they were dying was keeping him up all night. Oops.
My mom is flying in today and staying until Wednesday and I'm really grateful. I think it's going to make these next 7 weeks or so a lot easier to handle if Wes has help with Ella and I have company around to keep myself out of my own head. So far, I think I'm managing okay without too much anxiety or panic. It's definitely a daily focus to stay calm and just control what I can and ride out the rest.
I'm officially working from home for the time being and my team is really helping to pitch in where they can. If I need to, I know I can just go on LOA, but I really would like to avoid that. I have to remind myself that even with Ella, I never was hospitalized for dehydration, I lost less than 12 pounds, and if the anxiety hadn't gotten so bad, I think I would have been in much better shape around 14 weeks as opposed to suffering through until past 20 weeks. I think I have better tools to manage myself this time around and I'll keep focused on the fact that every day that passes is one less I have to make it through. Soon enough, I'll be eating with an appetite again, going out with friends and enjoying my favorite part of pregnancy - those little flutters and kicks.
I'm going to make it just fine. One day at a time.
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