Thursday, September 27, 2012

Crummy Week

I hope no one minds if I skip the weekly post this week.  I'm having a really crappy week, work-wise, and I just can't muster the energy.

My 16-week OB appointment went well.  We heard Gizmo's little heart beating away at 155 beats per minute.  I love that sound.  Belly growth is apparently right on target, as is my weight gain, which is good news.  I'm having very minor disgruntlement over gaining weight for the first time in almost 2 years, but then I remind myself that it's supposed to be happening, and even a healthy thing!  It's just something I didn't expect to be struggling with internally, but it's been a heck of a journey, so I suppose it's understandable.

Our conference/open house over the weekend was exhausting, but fantastic!  We learned a bunch, and came home with a trunk-load of freebies and give-aways.  I also was able to spend a little bit of time with my mom and grandma, which is always wonderful.  She had some maternity clothes for me, and she has a bunch of baby things that she wouldn't show me.  She's so excited, it's rather adorable.

I hope everyone is having a great ICLW, and a great week in general.  The weekend can't get here fast enough for me!

Thursday, September 20, 2012

September ICLW

Hello folks visiting from ICLW!  I know I'm a day early, but I'm going to be out of town for the next three days at a conference/open house for my hobby/board gaming business.

I'm Jamie, I'm 32 years old, married to JP  for almost 2 years (but together for 6).  I am 14 months post-op, roux-en-y (RNY) gastric bypass surgery.  Since beginning my weight-loss journey, I have lost 146 pounds.  I suffer from Non-Classic Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH), which effects my fertility very similarly to PCOS.  Untreated it causes elevated testosterone levels, insulin resistance, anovulation, etc.   Despite these hurdles, I am 16 weeks pregnant with my first child.  More of my IF history, and more details about RNY can be found in the tabs toward the top of the page.  If you have any questions for me, please feel free to ask!

Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment!  I look forward to stopping by your home on the web when I get back from my trip!

16 Weeks (& 1 Day)

Tomorrow through Sunday, JP, our store manager, and I are headed to a conference and open house put on by our merchandise distributor.  It should be tons of fun and very informational!  I didn't get to go last year, but the guys returned full of idea and ambition for improving our business.  It also happens to be taking place 20 minutes from my hometown, so we get to stay with and visit with my mom!  Woohoo!  Pregnesia reared it's head and I completely forgot to pack until this morning, and we're leaving as soon as I get home from work.  Oops!

Missing a day of work means that the other 4 have been a little busier.  I'm also "working from home" on Monday, because I have an eye doctor and OB appointment, so I have to do a few things to get ready for that, too.  Busy busy!

The weekly update, feel free to skip right on by!

* Belly - I am now switching back and forth between regular pants, unbuttoned and held together with a hair tie, and the maternity pants I found at second-hand stores last week.  I can no longer handle anything that's tight at all.  Too uncomfortable.

* Weight gain - I'm still up 4 lbs.

* Symptoms - Round ligament pain is becoming more frequent and a little more intense, especially when I've been on my feet for an extended amount of time.  Trips to the potty are increasing.  Fatigue seems to be getting better and worse at the same time.  I'm not as tired throughout the day, but when it's bed time, it's bed time!  I'm still pretty emotional, and taking it out on my husband occasionally.  He's usually a really good trooper.  My memory is becoming increasingly flakey.  Nothing new this week, I think...

* Cravings/Aversions -  Give me that cookie!

* Clothes - Hooray for full-panel maternity jeans!  So comfy!

* Movement - I'm really looking forward to this in the next couple of weeks!

* Feelings on gender - I'm not guessing anymore!  Let the countdown to the anatomy scan begin!  2 weeks and 3 days!

* Meds - Morning:  Regular multivitamin, 2000 ui Vitamin D, Clariten 10 mg, 1600 mcg Folic Acid, 2 puffs of Symbi.cort (new change from Advair).  Mid-day:  600 iu Calcium x2.  Evening:  Prenatal, 800 mcg Folic Acid, Rhino.cort (new change from Flonase), Symbi.cort, 450 mg DHA, 30 mg Hydrocortisone.

* Mood - My poor husband.  I've been hard on him this week.

* What I miss - Sleeping through the night.  It seems so cruel to have to get up to potty so much.

* Appointments - My allergist appointment was fine, she changed my meds.  It's interesting sometimes that what one doctor says is fine, another wants to change.  *shrugs*

* Medical concerns - Nutrition/calories, vitamin levels, CAH.

* Coming up - OB appt. on Monday.  I'm always excited to hear the heartbeat on the doppler.  More work on the house!

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

15 Weeks

I just heard from my endocrinologist's office.  My 2nd round of once-every-three-weeks bloodwork came back much better than the last, so there is no need to further increase my meds dose.  Woohoo!  They do, though, want me to continue getting my blood drawn every three weeks.

There are some corporate folks in at work this week.  Twice this week they've all gone out to lunch, with the rest of my department, and not bothered to invite me.  My department does this occasionally even when corporate is not here visiting.  It really hurts my feelings, but I'm not the type to stand up for myself.  I assume that it's a holdover from my predecessor, who kept completely to himself.

Home renovations are moving a little slowly.  When we tore down wallpaper in the hallway, we found several fist-sized holes in the drywall.  We're working on patching them, but it involves a lot of plaster (putty?), that needs a day in between to dry before it can be sanded and re-applied.  We got an estimate on remodeling the master bath that was less than 1/3 of the first estimate we go, so we're going with it!  The only down-side is that the guy has some roofing jobs lined up, and will only be able to work on our house when it's raining.  I can live with that, for the price.  I still don't know what we're going to do about re-finishing the hardwood floors.  I just don't want to do it ourselves, and having it professionally done seems way too costly.  Sigh.

The weekly update, feel free to skip right on by!

* Belly - Whilst comparing this morning's shot with three weeks ago, there is a definitely noticeable increase in girth.  Maternity pants shopping is on the agenda for Friday.

* Weight gain - They may weight me at my allergist appt. on Friday, otherwise I haven't weighed in since my MFM appt.

* Symptoms - Occasional round ligament pain.  Very frequent trips to the potty, fatigue, heightened sense of smell, tender breasts, constipation, and oh the hormones and mood swings!  New this week:  Painful bloating, ouch!  I've also got my 2nd fever blister since I got pregnant.  Gotta love that slightly weaker immune system.

* Cravings/Aversions -  I still have a terrible sweet tooth!  Mostly I want sandwich cream cookies.

* Clothes - I'm wearing my pants held closed with hair ties.

* Movement - I'm told there's a lot going on in there, but it will be a while yet before I feel it.

* Feelings on gender - I had a THIRD dream about that dark-haired baby girl.

* Meds - Levels are good, so no increase.  Morning:  Regular multivitamin, 2000 ui Vitamin D, Clariten 10 mg, 1600 mcg Folic Acid.  Mid-day:  600 iu Calcium x2.  Evening:  Prenatal, 800 mcg Folic Acid, Flonase, Advair, 450 mg DHA, 30 mg Hydrocortisone.

* Mood - Having some panic moments this week, mostly about financials.  I guess you're never completely ready.

* What I miss - Sleeping through the night.  It seems so cruel to have to get up to potty so much.

* Appointments - I go see my allergist on Friday, just a routine follow-up, but my first since I got pregnant.  I have therapy on Monday, I haven't been in a while.  My next OB appointment isn't until 9/24.

* Medical concerns - Nutrition/calories, vitamin levels, CAH.

* Coming up - More work on the house!

Friday, September 7, 2012

Relief!

The geneticist from the MFM office called me earlier today.  JP's genetic testing results came back, and he is NOT a carrier for CAH, the genetic adrenal condition that afflicts my sisters and I.  This is wonderful news!  As it is recessive, my child will definitely be a carrier, but will not have the disease!  I am so relieved and happy that my child will not have to go through all of the things that I have.  Whew!

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

14 Weeks

The end of the month has come again, which means a very busy time at work for me.  I am completely exhausted, so please forgive me for skipping right to the weekly stats.  Feel free to skip right on by!

* Belly - I'm glad I kept the last larger size of pants that I went through.  My normal pants are decidedly uncomfortable these days.  Still only noticeable to me, I'm sure.

* Weight gain - I haven't been weighed since last week, hopefully I'm back at a stand-still.

* Symptoms - Occasional round ligament pain.  Very frequent trips to the potty, fatigue, heightened sense of smell, tender breasts, constipation, and oh the hormones and mood swings!  I'm sure that work is the largest contributing factor, but I am even more exhausted the last couple of days than usual.

* Cravings/Aversions -  I still have a terrible sweet tooth!

* Clothes - I need to go shopping for some maternity pants really soon.

* Movement - I'm told there's a lot going on in there, but it will be a while yet before I feel it.

* Feelings on gender - I don't know anymore!  I had another dream about that dark-haired baby girl.

* Meds - Nothing new this week.  I go for my next blood draw on Monday to see if the latest increase is doing it's job.

* Mood - I feel like I'm turning in to a crazy woman!  I'm also starting to notice some of that prenesia... or am I?!?

* What I miss - Sleeping through the night.  It seems so cruel to have to get up to potty so much.

* Appointments - My next OB appointment isn't until 9/24.

* Medical concerns - Nutrition/calories, and possible passing on my CAH.

* Coming up - We started work on home renovations.  We're taking it slow, but there's still a lot to do!