i'm still doing really well post-op. i have popped 2 of my 4 stitches, though, so there's some minor pain there. i'm annoyed that apparently i'm NOT allowed to W@H while on disability, and i haven't heard from my doctor despite having called him on Thursday. The disability management people said they can't release me to work unless the doctor personally sees me, so that sucks since my appointment isn't until March 13.
Life with the MIL has been more pleasant than i imagined. Of course, there have been the annoying comments about how she should be STTN by now, shouldn't need to eat at night, should eat only every 4 hours and no sooner, and if she ate more solid food right before bed, she'd sleep. Etc etc etc. It hasn't helped that we moved the crib to our room so that she could have her own room, and poor D has been up MANY times a night this week. Like 6+ every night :(. Now the crib is in her room and we're hoping that it will help get back to normal, which is still 1-2 wakings per night.
D is most definitely teething now. Today she is just a hot mess. Thankfully Motrin is helping more than Tylenol, and Orajel doesn't hurt, either. Right now she's a lot happier than she was a couple of hours ago. She's also napping a TON today for some reason. And on a solids strike.
Some more things D is doing: She's started standing for several seconds at a time before she plops herself down. She ALMOST took her first step last Sunday, but she fell to one knee so it doesn't count. She waves "hi" (but not "bye-bye" yet). And i swear she's signing for potty. i swear it is so, despite MIL saying, "You're dreaming." But she's been doing this thing that looks like the sign for potty but oh so much more deliberate lol. And when i see it, i say "potty", do the sign for "potty", and of course take her straight to the potty. And every time it's happened (probably 8 or 10 at this point), she's gone to the bathroom. So i'm pretty convinced. And proud :).
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Surgery Update
i've never been through a surgery quite like THAT before! It was delayed by about 4 hours. It was scheduled for 12:30 pm, but it was almost 4:30 before they wheeled me out. Apparently the morning's surgery in the same room was taking extra time. A lot of extra time. It took so long i was really getting scared they were going to reschedule.
Anyway, the surgery DID happen, and despite my usual severe nausea and vomiting afterward in Recovery, there were no real problems. They did want to make sure i could pee though (otherwise they'd have to use a catheter and admit me). Actually they DID admit me, and i was in my own room from about 8 until 10 because the nurse didn't tell me i had to pee in the catch cup thing she called a "hat", so i had to drink water and sprite until i could go again. FINALLY i was able to leave at 10 pm, and i'm home now.
The results: The doctor was able to cut out *most* of the endo. He had to leave a few spots where it would have caused excessive bleeding or organ damage to remove them, so that's not great. But hopefully it should slow everything down some. And it sounds like he was able to free up the pretzel that was my left ovary/uterus/bowel, so that should really help the pain!
He also removed my right fallopian tube altogether. He said it was swollen like a balloon and was just creating a very toxic environment, and wasn't doing me any good anyway. So out it came. My right tube looked good, though; "perfect" he said. He apparently assigns four possibilities as far as fertility goes: "Unlikely", "Reasonable", "Likely", and "Very Likely". He said i was in the "Reasonable" category and he "wouldn't be surprised" if i became pregnant. i'm still pretty much not expecting it, and i'm really okay with that. The loss of the one tube really doesn't bother me at all like you might think. It really needed to come out. And having a "good" tube is a real bonus versus what i was expecting. The doctor is going to call me tomorrow, so maybe i'll know more (this is all second-hand info from Alan, who did an awesome job collecting the info though).
So this is probably slightly better results than i'd expected. Slightly disappointing in that all the endo didn't come out (making it very likely to grow back), but still a major improvement and better than anticipated! Yay!
Anyway, the surgery DID happen, and despite my usual severe nausea and vomiting afterward in Recovery, there were no real problems. They did want to make sure i could pee though (otherwise they'd have to use a catheter and admit me). Actually they DID admit me, and i was in my own room from about 8 until 10 because the nurse didn't tell me i had to pee in the catch cup thing she called a "hat", so i had to drink water and sprite until i could go again. FINALLY i was able to leave at 10 pm, and i'm home now.
The results: The doctor was able to cut out *most* of the endo. He had to leave a few spots where it would have caused excessive bleeding or organ damage to remove them, so that's not great. But hopefully it should slow everything down some. And it sounds like he was able to free up the pretzel that was my left ovary/uterus/bowel, so that should really help the pain!
He also removed my right fallopian tube altogether. He said it was swollen like a balloon and was just creating a very toxic environment, and wasn't doing me any good anyway. So out it came. My right tube looked good, though; "perfect" he said. He apparently assigns four possibilities as far as fertility goes: "Unlikely", "Reasonable", "Likely", and "Very Likely". He said i was in the "Reasonable" category and he "wouldn't be surprised" if i became pregnant. i'm still pretty much not expecting it, and i'm really okay with that. The loss of the one tube really doesn't bother me at all like you might think. It really needed to come out. And having a "good" tube is a real bonus versus what i was expecting. The doctor is going to call me tomorrow, so maybe i'll know more (this is all second-hand info from Alan, who did an awesome job collecting the info though).
So this is probably slightly better results than i'd expected. Slightly disappointing in that all the endo didn't come out (making it very likely to grow back), but still a major improvement and better than anticipated! Yay!
Surgery today
It's not until 12:30 pm Central Time, so i have some time this morning to play with my baby while the house sleeps. Well, one dog is up and eXUBerant this morning, too :).
MIL came last night, and was bowled over by the concept of EC, but when she saw that it works (there was a successful number 1 and a successful number 2 both last night), she just said, "That's amazing!" (And maybe acted like D is the smartest baby in the world lol, but she is so it's okay).
D also ALMOST took her first step yesterday. She let go of me and twist-turned and stepped toward MIL, but she fell to her knee so i guess it doesn't count. But OH she's so close! If she hadn't turned, i know she would have made it! Her other news is that she waved Hi for the first time the other day. So cute! i love love love her wave! And she JUST did it for me again! Squeeeeee!
Okay, so, surgery time. First off, i didn't get sick from D's cold. Hallelujah! So hopefully they will not reschedule and all will go as planned. Or at least i'll have surgery lol. Realistic scenario: He will get *most* of the endo, i will be pain-free or much less pain for much longer than after the previous surgery (only 6 months!!!), but nothing will change for me fertility-wise. i told him that if my tubes don't seem to be causing me pain, don't remove them, but try to repair them. Of course, there's a good chance they could just re-close again within a month, before i could even conceivably conceive. If they appear to be causing pain or are in TERRIBLE shape, just remove them. Which would increase success if we ever tried IVF, but considering we HATE the local IVF clinic and we're thrilled with the direction our family is going through adoption, the chances of doing IVF before i'm too old are pretty slim. Someone's insurance would have to change drastically, i would say.
i probably won't update until tomorrow, if then, because i tend to get pretty knocked out from surgery and anesthesia. My first lap i had surgery on Friday and didn't wake up until Sunday evening. But since i've been fasting for 2 days already, surely hunger will kick in at some point and wake me up lol. i actually had a dream last night about pizza!
MIL came last night, and was bowled over by the concept of EC, but when she saw that it works (there was a successful number 1 and a successful number 2 both last night), she just said, "That's amazing!" (And maybe acted like D is the smartest baby in the world lol, but she is so it's okay).
D also ALMOST took her first step yesterday. She let go of me and twist-turned and stepped toward MIL, but she fell to her knee so i guess it doesn't count. But OH she's so close! If she hadn't turned, i know she would have made it! Her other news is that she waved Hi for the first time the other day. So cute! i love love love her wave! And she JUST did it for me again! Squeeeeee!
Okay, so, surgery time. First off, i didn't get sick from D's cold. Hallelujah! So hopefully they will not reschedule and all will go as planned. Or at least i'll have surgery lol. Realistic scenario: He will get *most* of the endo, i will be pain-free or much less pain for much longer than after the previous surgery (only 6 months!!!), but nothing will change for me fertility-wise. i told him that if my tubes don't seem to be causing me pain, don't remove them, but try to repair them. Of course, there's a good chance they could just re-close again within a month, before i could even conceivably conceive. If they appear to be causing pain or are in TERRIBLE shape, just remove them. Which would increase success if we ever tried IVF, but considering we HATE the local IVF clinic and we're thrilled with the direction our family is going through adoption, the chances of doing IVF before i'm too old are pretty slim. Someone's insurance would have to change drastically, i would say.
i probably won't update until tomorrow, if then, because i tend to get pretty knocked out from surgery and anesthesia. My first lap i had surgery on Friday and didn't wake up until Sunday evening. But since i've been fasting for 2 days already, surely hunger will kick in at some point and wake me up lol. i actually had a dream last night about pizza!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Do i see teeth?
i can't tell for sure because she really doesn't enjoy it when i put my fingers in her mouth and try to look at her gums, but i *think* there's a slight change in her gums, like there may be teeth under the surface.
If so, that's great, because she's had such a hard time getting those first two teeth to get through the bone. She's had a few periods of what i assume was "teething" (poor sleep, drooling, putting everything in her mouth, low-grade fever, etc), but after a couple of weeks it stops and there are no teeth or anything to show for it.
Of course, i know it won't be fun as the teeth actually cut in through the gums, but it still seems like an improvement.
If so, that's great, because she's had such a hard time getting those first two teeth to get through the bone. She's had a few periods of what i assume was "teething" (poor sleep, drooling, putting everything in her mouth, low-grade fever, etc), but after a couple of weeks it stops and there are no teeth or anything to show for it.
Of course, i know it won't be fun as the teeth actually cut in through the gums, but it still seems like an improvement.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Suuuure... you can't stand unassisted
Dear D,
Yesterday i caught you standing on the thin edge on the side of your walker wagon. It's MAYBE 3/4" wide. And slanted. And you were standing on it on one foot, holding on to the handle (backwards) with one hand, trying to decide what to do with your other foot.
i am no longer buying your story about not having sufficient balance or nerve to stand unassisted. Or walk for that matter. We all know it's just a cover and you have a secret life as a walking baby.
Mommee
P.S. i am really proud of you. This morning you woke up with a fully dry diaper after about 10.5 hours overnight, and you even oke up several times last night. And then you pee pee'd on the potty for about 20 minutes straight. Way to go!
Yesterday i caught you standing on the thin edge on the side of your walker wagon. It's MAYBE 3/4" wide. And slanted. And you were standing on it on one foot, holding on to the handle (backwards) with one hand, trying to decide what to do with your other foot.
i am no longer buying your story about not having sufficient balance or nerve to stand unassisted. Or walk for that matter. We all know it's just a cover and you have a secret life as a walking baby.
Mommee
P.S. i am really proud of you. This morning you woke up with a fully dry diaper after about 10.5 hours overnight, and you even oke up several times last night. And then you pee pee'd on the potty for about 20 minutes straight. Way to go!
Monday, February 15, 2010
T minus 7 days
i can't believe how excited i am to have surgery. i guess when you're as old hat at it as i am (this is my 5th surgery in 34 years), you know better what to expect. Oh my gosh i am so ready for this!
The cleaning frenzy began this weekend before MIL comes to stay with us during that first week of recovery. i've also been in a frenzy to stock up baby food, because as D increases her solids appetite, i'm having a hard enough time just keeping up much less staying ahead. Right now my biggest problem is not having enough ice cube trays so i can only make a couple of batches most days. i'm able to reuse some jars from commercial baby food i've used a couple of times, and i got some little 4 oz gladware things, so that helps.
This weekend we deep cleaned the office and the nursery (including cleaning the walls, baseboards, etc, and polishing the furniture), and the upstairs bathroom. i went and got baskets for organization and it looks pretty good. No more potty time books stacked on the back of the toilet (instead they're in a nice basket lol). That was Saturday. Sunday we deep cleaned the living room and hallway (other than the carpets; that's this weekend), and most of the kitchen. i finished that up this morning.
We also had to go recliner shopping yesterday again. We'd purchased one from American Signature Furniture a week ago that we hoped would be part of a new living room set we might buy in a few months. They assured us they could deliver it before my surgery in the morning, but they called to tell us they would drop it off between noon and 6 pm on Friday. Sorry, guys. They were super inflexible and i'm not taking 1/2 day vacation off from work and also paying $100 for delivery, so we had them refund it. So we went shopping again and Alan is going to pick up our new Laz E Boy on Wednesday. This is even better because the back comes off.
So what's left? We need to deep clean the master bedroom and the master bathroom, and we need to steam clean the downstairs carpets. We should probably steam clean everything, but that's not going to happen. And of course we need to dust and vacuum and such.
Meanwhile, i'm pooped!
The cleaning frenzy began this weekend before MIL comes to stay with us during that first week of recovery. i've also been in a frenzy to stock up baby food, because as D increases her solids appetite, i'm having a hard enough time just keeping up much less staying ahead. Right now my biggest problem is not having enough ice cube trays so i can only make a couple of batches most days. i'm able to reuse some jars from commercial baby food i've used a couple of times, and i got some little 4 oz gladware things, so that helps.
This weekend we deep cleaned the office and the nursery (including cleaning the walls, baseboards, etc, and polishing the furniture), and the upstairs bathroom. i went and got baskets for organization and it looks pretty good. No more potty time books stacked on the back of the toilet (instead they're in a nice basket lol). That was Saturday. Sunday we deep cleaned the living room and hallway (other than the carpets; that's this weekend), and most of the kitchen. i finished that up this morning.
We also had to go recliner shopping yesterday again. We'd purchased one from American Signature Furniture a week ago that we hoped would be part of a new living room set we might buy in a few months. They assured us they could deliver it before my surgery in the morning, but they called to tell us they would drop it off between noon and 6 pm on Friday. Sorry, guys. They were super inflexible and i'm not taking 1/2 day vacation off from work and also paying $100 for delivery, so we had them refund it. So we went shopping again and Alan is going to pick up our new Laz E Boy on Wednesday. This is even better because the back comes off.
So what's left? We need to deep clean the master bedroom and the master bathroom, and we need to steam clean the downstairs carpets. We should probably steam clean everything, but that's not going to happen. And of course we need to dust and vacuum and such.
Meanwhile, i'm pooped!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Do Not Read (if you're squeamish)
i'm going to share a photo, and i apologize that it's pretty icky. It's a close-up of part of my stomach where i've been using a heating pad for a week solid due to the intense endo pain. i've been using it all day at work and most of the night (it's auto shut-off but i usually wake 2-3 times a night and start it up again because the pain wakes me). i've obviously gotten a pretty nasty heat rash, and while i knew i had a heat rash, i never noticed that i actually had scabs and have apparently been bleeding.
So, again, close this now if you don't want to see it.
i mean it.
Really...
(i'm stretching this out because i figure hopefully if you came straight to the blog that it'll be long enough that you'll have to page down to see the photo).
Okay, i warned you. Sigh. The saddest part is even when i realized how bad the rash was getting (not the bleeding but the black and blue-ness of it all), i didn't care. The pain was that bad.
Thankfully today things are getting a little better. Hooray! Hopefully it will stay bad until after surgery. Just... 10 days left.
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