Two and... a half years later

Just a moment ago I finished reading my last blog post. I was quite hopeful in that one I must say. My HG diagnosis...well I did not realize what was coming my way. To recap...I ended up cycling back down, changing doctors, and going on home health care. A subcutaneous pump became my new best friend for the next few months along with Zofran. Slowly I was on the mend and on a wonderful winter day, my daughter arrived. I love my little one and it has been a rollercoaster of epic proportions, but truly it has been the best ride. My dear husband has become quite the loving dad and we can not believe she will be two! So, internet, I apologize for falling off the face of the earth and all, but there were some important things to take care of namely...a little girl with almond shaped eyes and a smile that never seems to fade. I will be sure to post more often, but good night for now. I hope to be more productive in the coming days. However, I thought that before the bad weather...will clue you in to that as well. Night!

The Beginning of the END as we know it...

So, internet. Time sure has passed quickly. I moved, settled into my new job and decided that wasn't enough change within a year. So, my dear husband and I left things to fate and now we are expecting. I will be 13 weeks this Thursday and let me tell you...this sucks. I was blissfully happy in the beginning, just eating, having a great time, you know that saying "ignorance is bliss?" Well it is, especially in my case. At week 7 it began with just an unsettled feeling in my stomach. I would eat carefully and stuck with ginger ale and crackers. I felt better by the afternoon and was sure that I could get through this. By week 8 I was cursing the very hormones that were ensuring that the being growing inside of me was alright. I was ill, and by ill, I mean I moved up my doctor appointment so I could figure out if this was all normal. Apparently, it wasn't. The doctor said that if things did not improve, I should call him. After another week of constant meds so I could keep food down, it became apparent (more to my husband) things were not right. I was stationed on the couch due to the proximity and easy access to a trashcan for retching purposes. My next appointment was coming up and I was determined to make it (I mean, what other choice did I have). My husband was leaving for work that Monday morning after a particularly bad weekend (I couldn't keep fluids down for 15 minutes at a time) when he said, "You need to call the doctor and reschedule your appointment". My husband was getting to the point that leaving me at home was scaring him. I was feeling a little energetic that morning (meaning I had not retched yet), so I called. That is when this whole thing got real scary. The nurse relayed to me that the doctor needed me to go the hospital immediately. I called my husband and he quickly turned around after making a few phone calls. Now, we had just informed our families of the news the week prior. I was unable to travel so my husband was the gift bearer. My family has always called me the dramatic one, and at first, that is what some believed. However, I ended up staying at the hospital for 5 days. Constant IV drip, blood work, and no food. Yup. I was allowed only a liquid diet, which my friends, is not fun. Constant drugs, fluids, and other items were being poured into my body for five days, and the last day is when I started to feel human, and when I was allowed a soft food diet. I have never been happier to eat a slice of tomato, sweet potato tater tots, and cooked ground beef. I even took a picture of it I was so happy. I am a bit ahead of myself though. The second day is when we received the news that I had been diagnosed with Hyperemesis Gravidurm (further known as HG). You heard correctly. This is the same thing Princess Kate Middleton was diagnosed with at the beginning of her pregnancy (which the birth should occur any day now). Apparently, just looking this information up on the internet scared my husband bad enough that he called in for reinforcements-my mother-in-law. Believe me, this was a god send. My husband could go to work knowing that I was being taken care of and then come after work to visit. This was my first hospital visit and it was not pleasant. I was praying that my little one was okay, that I would someday eat solid food again, and man I wanted to eat EVERYTHING I saw on television. When I was released, I was able to eat biscuits with jam and then some mac n cheese. However, since I had not eaten in what felt like forever, my stomach and energy level was short on supply. I could literally only eat a handful of food at a time. Without meds, I was beginning to gag. Oh, did I mention the phytalism? Yes, when you are prego you produce more saliva. However, when you have this HG thing, you produce not only more but it is thick and gags you. You can't swallow it, it sticks in the back of your throat, and makes you want to hurl. So I am now acting like a sailor, spittoon and all. For the first week at home it was nice, my MIL made meals, helped clean, and just helped me feel better. She stayed for a week and it was glorious. After her leaving, my husband has taken up a lot of the slack. He has been my main champion, making sure I had anything I needed before leaving for the day. Just checking on me throughout his day. Overall, being an already attentive dad. He never has said anything about my vomiting (even though it is hard for him to stomach). I have major skin, hair, and just looks issues currently, but my husband still says that I am beautiful. I know he is creating this one lie to make it through the day though. I am up to the level of showering almost regularly and not blacking out in there (major accomplishment). However, about a week ago, I started to not feel hungry and want to eat. This is only starting a horrid cycle. No meds+no food=vomit. Don't get me wrong, it is not anything like the exorcist-like spewing machine that I was, but hurling is not fun even if it is just once a day (okay maybe twice here or there). I am still taking my meds and my next doctor appointment is Wednesday. I am nervous and hope that everything is okay, but sometimes we never know with these things. So as I lounge around (so motion doesn't have my stomach roiling) I will continue to just exist, losing weight a bit each day. I have plenty stored, so the kid should be fine. Either way, welcome to my little adventure, which I am pretty sure will be the last time I get on this roller coaster ride if this keeps up. I will definitely be keeping you all informed, because this will make a great record (for later blackmail) for the little one. Sleep well internet, and if someone tells you that they have HG, you better try to do anything you can for them because they may need that lifeline to survive.

Really?!

Okay internet, I know I should be keeping better track of things...but you know how summer can be. I get into a good book, or decide to go see a movie (which there are a number of good ones out there this year). But apparently I have become quite sidetracked. I promised to write on this more often than not and I have not even been able to keep my own promise to myself. Foolish me. So I will back track a few and tell you what I have been up to since last being on here. I went traveling! Okay, not to any exotic place...Houston by the way of Dallas. I was quite productive in Dallas...got my job lined up. Then headed down to Houston for my sister's baby shower. This was enjoyable, yet stressful since I was helping with all that. I never realized how much goes into shower-throwing...but man. So the shower was a hit-food, games, and all that jazz. I enjoyed some time with my family, even went to the beach with my niece! She drove, which was kind of scary since she is all of seventeen. We arrived safely and beat all of the 4th of July crowds! I know that in and of itself is a feat, right? Well, we left at 6:30 in the morning and arrived around 7:45. We played in the sand and sun until noon and then headed back, but I tell you what, a day at the beach heals all wounds of life. I felt rejuvenated after that little trip. Plus, I took some sea shells back with me. So, my little trip ended on July 5th and now I am home, getting my house ready for the big move. I am looking forward to this little change more and more now. I am finally adjusting and getting with the program as my husband would say. Well I am going to go and get to packing. I will write again...maybe even tomorrow. Until then-ta ta!