Setbacks

This week has been unkind. I have had a nightmare week for the nausea and dizzy spells. I have been really sick this week. This week I was getting out of bed, blacked out and fell onto the wall on my bell. I had spotting for a while. I had a regular doctor appointment on Monday so I just went straight there to get checked. They sent me to the high risk OB and had an ultrasound. Everything looks good. The baby was healthy and happy and looks like we will be adding boy number four to our family. We are excited and looking forward to a healthy baby.

Last night I was so sick all night long. Then half way through the night I passed out again, this time hitting hard on my ribs. I think I may have injured them. Oh well, par for the course right.

I had more sutures put into my PICC line at my appointment on Monday too. The last dressing change had pulled one side of the sutures loose so she had to put them in on both sides. More fun!

Today I spent most of the day laying flat just to try and keep the pain from attacking my sides. I am hoping that the last few days have just been a bad few days and that things will get better quickly. I have to have a round of fluids tonight so maybe that will get me back on my feet for tomorrow.

Much Better!

Yesterday the new home health agency started working with me at the house. The difference was huge and was a big relief. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of good care when you are dealing with HG in pregnancy. The compassion and proactive treatment of my physician has made such a difference in this pregnancy. Even though I still feel horrible most of the time, I have not reached the critical stage like I did in my last pregnancy. Have a doctor who is willing to take time to keep working with me and working through the issues associated with HG means that I am not in such a huge deterioration and have spent way less time in the hospital.

The new home health agency was wonderful. Where the first company was more concerned about what they would not do and what worked best for the, this agency wants to do what is best for the patient. They took extensive time filling out my history and checking my health. When they found out I had been having some issues, the picked up the phone right there and contacted my doctor. Where the last company would have said I should call, they picked up the phone and called her themselves. In addition to the time and care they took finding out my situation, the offered many helpful alternatives should I need the services. For instance, they have offered to do blood draws and take them to the lab rather than my having to make a special trip to the doctor to have them done. They listed several things they can do as long as they have doctor orders. They were more than willing to do things to make my life easier and were most concerned about what was going to be best for my health. Huge difference, they are definitely patient focused!

Currently I am having trouble sleeping at night, this is not uncommon with my pregnancies. First I am usually up sick most of the night and I am prone to insomnia with my thyroid issues. So I am really exhausted most of the time. I am trying to find ways to resolve the insomnia but if it continues I suppose I will have to talk with the doctor about the issue and see if there is some remedy. I seem to have good days and bad days, days where I am sicker than others and am able to keep less down. I try to balance those days by making sure that I eat good foods the days that I can keep more down. I am currently reading through lists of "pregnancy super foods." I will post a good list once I have them down. However, I do always tell people that you are the only one who can decide what you can and cannot eat. Knowing something is good for you will not over rule the gag reflex if you are not interested in eating that particular food.

I am no in my 17th week. Around 20 weeks is when I see a marked difference in the sickness. Usually around that point things start to taper off and I start to hold more down. I am hoping that this is going to be the same trend with this pregnancy. I HOPE!

PICC Line Issues

Starting to worry that my PICC line may be clotting. I am unable to use heparin so I have to flush with saline several times a day. Tonight we did the flush and aspiration and one side went exactly the way you want it to, the other did not give any blood flow. I am freaking out!

They had to try four different spots to place this thing and if it blows then the thought of having ANOTHER put in makes me want to scream in agony.

I also see the doctor tomorrow. Last appointment she sent me straight over to be admitted. I hope this does not happen again. I am on home health now so hopefully this will just be a quick check and then back home. I hope!

Delivery Day

I got my delivery today from the pharmacy. I have bags of fluid, my own IV pole, and all the dressing changes. I love new stuff but just not that excited about this little delivery. I mean who dives excitedly into a box of saline flush for your PICC line. I find myself picturing things to do to the IV pole to dress it up and make it more present like to make it less depressing. Maybe I should put some ribbons or get some of the kids stickers. Maybe if I hang some plants from the bag hooks that will make it somewhat more attractive sitting over there in the corner.

The kids seem to be handling this well. I try to make it a joke so it is less intimidating. I told them my PICC line was a snake :p and that if the get to close it will bite them...okay so not intimidating but it does make them giggle. I sit on the couch covered up and run to the bathroom, but other than that I am grateful to be home. The idea of spending almost three months in the hospital is a nightmare. The nurses are wonderful and I loved the care I got on the floor but I missed my boys. I was a weeping wimp when I broke down and cried that last night. I just could not stop crying. Of course, I could just write it off as hormones.

Today I am grateful for being home, and that my children are not overwhelmed by all the medical equipment that is invading our home. I am happy to see my kids faces rather than having to stare at hospital walls all day. I am thankful that the baby from all signs is healthy and wiggling happily in my tummy unfazed by the difficult health situation I am going through right now. I am grateful to have only 166 days to go and looking forward to better days ahead.

Just when you think...maybe I should stop thinking!

I was feeling mostly good the last few days and then all of a sudden today I woke up feeling horrid. Just crazy dizzy today. My head is foggy from the messed up equilibrium. I feel like I should go back to bed, but then who would run the asylum! :p I am loading up on water, hoping this is what has caused the problem, maybe I just did not drink enough water yesterday. I spent the majority of my day yesterday at Chuckie Cheese and I know I wasn't drinking during that period so perhaps I am slightly dehydrated.

Other than that I have spent the morning laughing at my youngest. He really is the silliest child. He is just learning to form his words into sentences and phrases and it is funny to hear him combine things and then the ones he combines the wrong way are the best. Today he is running around saying "Moley Cow." This makes me laugh so hard. He is just so funny. I know only a Mommy could find this amusing enough to post online, but that is what makes me his Mommy!