... Really. Mean. The truth is that there is no cat. I have to blame the damage on my very own fingernails.
My liver condition I have referred to in the past is called Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy. Basically, Bile Acids accumulate in the bloodstream because the liver is failing to do it's job of regulating those acids. Those acids cause INTENSE itching!!! This is not an itch that anyone can understand unless they have experienced it. It is NOT a skin condition or rash or any sort. The itch is in the BLOODSTREAM, so no lotions or anti-histamines can even TOUCH the discomfort! Another few strange things about this is that although the itching is all over, the most intense itching displays itself in the hands (including palms) and feet (including soles), and the worst episodes of it show up in the middle of the night. This means not much sleep (if any!), just A LOT of frustration and tears! The only thing that brings me any relief at all is a bucket full of ice water and plunging my hands and feet in for as long as I can stand it (until pain takes over most of the itching).
Unfortunately, there is not much known about how to treat my condition. Basically, monitor the baby really closely until their lungs are mature enough, and then deliver immediately since the high levels of acids can cause a perfectly healthy baby to unexpectedly die. This bit of information does not help the sleep issues.
That being said...
I have actually been able to get some rest a few nights this week! This is really Miraculous since it has been weeks since I have had much relief! I was becoming Very desperate and I am going to attribute this miracle to prayer. Any sleep I can get is a tender mercy for me. I know I am not out of the woods, but it is amazing what a couple of good nights of sleep can do for a person (both mentally and physically)!
April 7th is the day that I will have an amniocentesis done (checking baby's lungs). If her lungs are mature enough, they will deliver her immediately. I will be 36 weeks and 5 days at that point. If she is not ready then they will just deliver her at 38 weeks (April 16th). Only 2-3 weeks left! We love this baby so much already, even if she still has no name! Brian thinks we still have "Plenty of time" to come up with something. Hmm...
Thursday, March 25, 2010
I LOOK like I have a really mean cat...
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Pneumonia...
We have had a rough couple of months in our home (as far as sickness goes). Every weekend for the last 7 weekends with the exception of one, at least 1 of our 3 kids have been fevering or coughing, or something along those lines. It has not been fun. Jan. and Feb. are NOT my favorite months! Gavin had been coughing for a little over a week or so and it didn't seem like a big deal until he started fevering this week. I took him to the Dr. on Thursday and I was told that he has pneumonia. It broke my heart. The funny thing about Gavin is that he is the happiest sick-person I know. Whenever he is fevering he just smiles and says "I Lub you Momma" over and over again.
Thursday was a hard day. The Dr. said he wasn't going to admit Gavin into the hospital because Gavin was still eating a little, thank goodness. They gave him a heavy-duty shot and sent us home with a prescription which was a one-time-dose medication which stays in their system for 10 days. The only problem was that Gavin is really stubborn about taking meds. REALLY. It was also a HUGE dose for all at once and had to be taken on an empty stomach (so no sneaking it into food), and he did NOT want it. I tried reasoning with him ALL DAY, but he would have NOTHING to do with it. When Brian got home, we wrestled him down and got a little into him only to have him gag and immediately throw it all up! After the medication has been mixed it expires after 12 hours. I tried for 12 hours and he threw it up 9 times. We will be going back to the Dr. tomorrow for "Plan B"... Hopefully "Plan B" is NOT a refill!
32 weeks and 3 days (but who's counting?)...
Doing pretty good right now. Depends on the day. My liver-issues are definitely becoming more prominent, but I am dealing. I know that there are a lot of prayers going for this baby (and me). I feel like it is really helping. I have a few appointments this week and I think I will know a little more after meeting with the specialist on Wednesday. So far so good. I am trying not to get my hopes up for this baby's lungs being ready for delivery at 36 weeks (April 2nd) since Gavin's lungs were not ready at that point. But to be honest, it will probably be really hard on me mentally if she's not ready.
...any suggestions?3 "Men" in a Tub...
Grandma K got these pictures of these 3 little stinkers. I stole the pics...they were just too cute to pass up. These boys had fun at a little family get-together the other night. Unfortunately they got a little(lot) sticky with suckers (which they LOVED by the way), and everyone decided that the best thing to do was to strip 'em down and stick them in the tub.
