Pregnancy Details

The nurse part of me has to keep up with medical details during all my pregnancies. This one is no different.

First blood test: 4w2d

Progesterone 19.1

Quantitative HCG 626

A1C 5%

Second blood test: 4w4d

Progesterone 14

Quantitative HCG 1,350

Third blood test: 5w1d

Progesterone 16.7

Quantitative HCG 4050

Fourth blood test: 6w1d

Progesterone 19

Quantitative HCG 27,000

First Ultrasound: 6w4d

baby nugget with a beating heart! Yay! No corpus luteum cyst present.

Shelley was so sweet to draw my labs for me. Progesterone has always been an issue and I feel so relieved that it is starting out so good. Normally, I start out around 13. I'm continuing my Progesterone cream 45mg/daily. I am taking supplements for adrenal support, my nerve health, and a liquid vitamin. I am waiting on my iron supplement to come in, as my Hgb was good but my ferritin levels were low. My appointment with Dr. Baker is Tuesday. I will get an IV. I am continuing with my weekly B12/B complex shots.

I don't know how God is going to work with my ongoing health issues during this pregnancy, but so far, so good.

Real Life, Real Feelings

So this is the entry where I talk about more than fun facts, I talk about feelings. Real life, real feelings. In real life, positive pregnancy tests happen. It has happened to me six times now. And even though it was my 6th positive test, if you don't count the follow ups you do to convince yourself the first one was correct and yes, still 2 pink lines, I was still not used to that first line popping up pink, fast, dark. I mean, technically, my period wasn't even late. It wasn't the first morning urine. It was fluke, on a whim, had an extra test laying around, late at night, hmmm, I wonder kinda thing. And that was POSITIVE. My brain, my heart, my soul was struggling to get it's bearings. Processing on so many levels at one time. My hands were shaking, an outward expression of my insides. I rushed to Scot on the bed. Handed him the test and couldn't even speak. His eyes got big. I don't even remember now what he said. I fell back on the bed. I needed him to tell me it was all going to be ok. I know I asked how did God think I could do this right now? What is He up to? What was He thinking?! And Scot, the precious husband that he is went on to talk to me for an hour about the greatest joy in his life was me and the kids. Nothing else mattered, but kids, they matter. And this new baby was going to be such a joy, such a blessing to our family. God will handle the details. He will provide enough for each day. And he laughed a lot. Shocked and excited. And he talked about our car situation and where will the baby sleep. And he was starting to see why God gave us this house. Then he did the most precious thing. He prayed for me. Prayed the first ever prayer for the new baby. How blessed am I?

Rockin With My Girls

God just keeps on blessing us around here in LOTS and LOTS of cool ways. Some I can talk about, like our Steven Curtis Chapman concert tickets we won this past Monday. It was a very specific answer to Avery's prayer. She had asked her dad months ago if we could get tickets. They had a drawing box at Chickfila. He told her the only way she was going was if she won tickets. And she did! So exciting, she cried. It was precious. She brought my phone to me with tears in her eyes and whispered, "we won," as she squeezed her arms tight around me. I'm thinking, "what?" Sure enough, message on my phone from Spirit 106.3. That was a GREAT way to start the week and the concert was a great way to end the week. We even got tickets to a private chat with SCC before the show. Avery, Abby, and I had a blast. An awesome night of worship.

Aubrey also fell and blacked her left eye this week. Not fun. We were doing some clothes shopping and she fell and hit a rolling cart wheel with her eye. I had her eye checked out by the eye doctor today just to make sure she had no internal damage. All looked well. Around her eye... so sad. But she just keeps on going, not missing a beat. Still doing her cute, "Row, row, row," barking dog. Hilarious. Talking up a storm. Running everywhere, carrying her purse full of bracelets, baby hairbrushes, and randomness. She has opinions about clothes, shoes, and what books to read. Her favorite book, Sandra Bouyton, Snuggle Puppy. Why won't Blogger underline!? Ugh.

Benjiboy... how is he so tall? He looks so grown up to me. So big boy. And to me that is devastating. I am not ready for him to grow up at all. I feel like he was just born and now he is having big conversations, using big words and asking to do school work all the time. He is always carrying keys and his wallet or a bucket of tools. Ramona, the dog, is his best friend. He can almost dress himself, sleeps all night most nights, lost his front tooth this year to an abscess from an accident last year, and drives his plasma car or Gator from sun up to sun down. That is if he is not playing soccer in his soccer cleats. I know he's going to ride the plasma car when he comes asking for his "terrible Crocs." The Crocs he destroyed last year. The joy Benjamin brings to my life is indescribable. Having a boy is one of the biggest blessings God has ever given me. I will have a very hard time letting him grow.

Joy In The Unexpected

This post is an interesting chain of events. Not exciting poetry. Just facts with a fun ending.

After my pain med problem, I started the weekend feeling a lot better. I was tired from not sleeping for two days, but grateful the itching was gone. We had a church function Saturday night that I attended for a short time. When Sunday rolled around, I was so very tired. Still.

On Monday morning, my sister called to say they would be in town. I invited them to dinner, because I was too tired to eat out. Especially, at 7:00pm. I wanted to feed little people and put them to be early. We had a great time eating and fellowshipping. My sister's pregnant belly so cute. She asked me to check the baby's position. I felt this little back and tiny rump. The whole time I was thinking how excited I was for her and how thankful I was that my body wasn't pregnant. Not that I don't love babies or children, just pregnancy is exhausting. I am already very exhausted.

After they left, I started to get ready for bed. For about three days, I had been worrying about how bloated I looked. Thinking I possibly had another illness on my hands. Yes, I have way too much medical knowledge. Standing, looking at myself in my closet mirror, it crossed my mind that maybe I don't have a disease... maybe, I'm pregnant. Don't know how that would be possible, as we were trying not to have another baby right now. But I knew a doctor would want me to rule that out first. I dug around and found a pregnancy test. Not even a full 24 hours late yet, but in the back of my mind I guess the thought always lurks.

At 8:00pm Monday night, I got an instantly positive, bright pink pregnancy test. What? How? No Way! Not real!

How's that for fun facts?

Try Not To Scratch

So last night, I decided I was going to be better about not letting my pain get out of control. About 11pm, the pain in my back and neck was about a 6. In my efforts to stay on top of pain, instead of what I normally do, resist medications until I am dead and they are no longer needed, I sweetly asked my husband to bring me a pain pill. I felt great! For one hour. Then the itching started and my body decided I was now officially allergic to this pain pill. 14 hours later... I am at a walk-in clinic getting a steroid shot. Now, in about 4-8 hours, I should stop itching. I pray no one thinks I am contagious with all this scratching.

Medical Mysteries

I have always loved the medical mystery shows. You know, the shows that list crazy and strange symptoms, people going to tons of doctors and no one knowing what is wrong with this person. It always ends up being some kind of weird parasite. At least, the ones I have seen. As a nurse, I am intrigued by these shows and determined to solve the mystery before the doctor does. Again, I guess weird parasite....??? But the best part of the show, is the follow up. The people are well and happy to no longer be the medical mystery star.

I haven't been offered a part, but I am a candidate for the show for sure.

I am on a quest. Pray and Google. My prayer, God please help me solve my health problems while I Google symptoms.

I hope we are on to something. My next doctor appointment in less than 2 weeks!