...so nice of you to finally show up.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Bye Bye Pump...
...and the words from the great (or not so great) Donald Trump "You're Fired" *pretend to do the cobra hand thingy he does". I have officially, as of today, completely weaned off of my zofran pump *doing the happy dance*. I am sooo excited to be done with that damn thing, you have no idea. I was so sick of injecting myself EVERY DAY...my skin started to breakdown and I had to change the site every morning. I hated how I was woke up at odd hours in the night to refill a syringe, replace a battery or check on dosing. I disliked not being able to walk around without something on my shoulder, in my leg and always on my body. Now I am free. I have no cords holding me down. I don't have to be careful when pulling up my jeans for fear of ripping out my IV. I can have spontaneous love making with my husband and that is a wonderful thing. Today is a milestone, an achievement that I wasn't sure I would hit by now...but thanks to my nurses, I was able to slowly dose down, and here we are. No more pump...what a wonderful thing.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
No one can see autism....
I found this on another website, had to post it here....very good description of how Autism functions and how it is viewed by the general public.
***How an Autistic Child Thinks:
Nobody can see my disability. I look just like every other kid-attractive, walking, making sound's. They can't see how my neurons are scrambled in my brain. They can't see the misconnections between the left and right brain. Nobody can see I have autism.
Nobody can see that my body is sick. No one can see that my stomach is in knots from my digestive system not working. No one can that my body and mind are starving because my cells don't make the right enzymes to digest food. No one see that I suffer from low blood sugar because I can't properly metabolize nourishment.
No one can see that my body is attacking its own nerve cells from auto-immune dysfunction. No one can see that mercury lead and arsenic cannot be excreted from my body, so it keeps building up in my brain. No one understands that my body cannot tolerate normal enjoyments for children, like bright, vivid colors and loud noises. I desperately want to be a kid and enjoy these things, but my body just won't let me.
But everyone can see how inappropriate my behavior can be when I am out in public. Everyone can see how immature I can be compared to other kids my age. Everyone sees the 2-year old tantrums when things have been too overwhelming for me. Everyone sees my frustration from trying to cope.
Everyone sees my screaming and fighting. Everyone just assumes I'm being bad, not that my body hurts, my eyes are in pain from colors, my ears ring with loud noises not heard by others.
Everyone sees my tantrums when I don't get my way. No one sees that I can't explain my fear when I think I'm not being understood. Everyone may see my screams when my mom takes something away from me. No one can see that having something of comfort can keep my fears under control for me, and taking it away makes my nerves explodes in anxiety.
No one understands how hard I have to work to keep my behaviors from reacting to the chemical imbalances in my body that makes me feel horrible. No one can see that, no matter how hard I try, sometimes I cannot control it. No one can see the shame I feel after I've had a meltdown from my body's problems.
What they don't see I am a person. I have feelings and want to be loved and accepted like everyone else. What they don't see is that, when they look at me like I need a good spanking; I understand that I'm not capable of controlling my body.
What they don't see is that I scream because I don't know how to say "HELP ME"
What they don't see is that I hear every ugly word they say, but for the life of me, I can't make my mouth say what I'm feeling. But they don't see that as a disability. They say I am unmanageable. They say I am a problem.
But I am not a problem. I HAVE AUTISM. My mom has taken me to more doctors and specialist than you can ever imagine. She's read more books and done more research on my disease than parents would ever want. She has tried special diet, supplements, drugs and various metabolic therapies. She has PRAYED for GUIDANCE and asked for discernment on how to help my body. And behaviors, OH YES, has she tried everything to help my behavior.
Stop telling her all I need is a spanking. If spanking would stop all this, my mom would gladly exchange my disability for a spanking. She knows better than all of you what I need to help me, and what we both need is your understanding, not ignorance.
I just want to be accepted and understood. No blamed and ashamed, I want to be appreciated for my gifts. I do have some if you look more closely. I want to be cared for as a person. I want you to care, even when I act like I don't.
I want to be respected, just like you do. I want you to respect my mom and dad for all the hard work they have done to help me try to lead a normal a life as possible. I want you to respect my family and all the struggles we have to endure because of our love for each other.
I want to be LOVED like any other child. And need you to role model respectful behavior for me so I can be respectful too. I want you to love me just like God would.
***How an Autistic Child Thinks:
Nobody can see my disability. I look just like every other kid-attractive, walking, making sound's. They can't see how my neurons are scrambled in my brain. They can't see the misconnections between the left and right brain. Nobody can see I have autism.
Nobody can see that my body is sick. No one can see that my stomach is in knots from my digestive system not working. No one can that my body and mind are starving because my cells don't make the right enzymes to digest food. No one see that I suffer from low blood sugar because I can't properly metabolize nourishment.
No one can see that my body is attacking its own nerve cells from auto-immune dysfunction. No one can see that mercury lead and arsenic cannot be excreted from my body, so it keeps building up in my brain. No one understands that my body cannot tolerate normal enjoyments for children, like bright, vivid colors and loud noises. I desperately want to be a kid and enjoy these things, but my body just won't let me.
But everyone can see how inappropriate my behavior can be when I am out in public. Everyone can see how immature I can be compared to other kids my age. Everyone sees the 2-year old tantrums when things have been too overwhelming for me. Everyone sees my frustration from trying to cope.
Everyone sees my screaming and fighting. Everyone just assumes I'm being bad, not that my body hurts, my eyes are in pain from colors, my ears ring with loud noises not heard by others.
Everyone sees my tantrums when I don't get my way. No one sees that I can't explain my fear when I think I'm not being understood. Everyone may see my screams when my mom takes something away from me. No one can see that having something of comfort can keep my fears under control for me, and taking it away makes my nerves explodes in anxiety.
No one understands how hard I have to work to keep my behaviors from reacting to the chemical imbalances in my body that makes me feel horrible. No one can see that, no matter how hard I try, sometimes I cannot control it. No one can see the shame I feel after I've had a meltdown from my body's problems.
What they don't see I am a person. I have feelings and want to be loved and accepted like everyone else. What they don't see is that, when they look at me like I need a good spanking; I understand that I'm not capable of controlling my body.
What they don't see is that I scream because I don't know how to say "HELP ME"
What they don't see is that I hear every ugly word they say, but for the life of me, I can't make my mouth say what I'm feeling. But they don't see that as a disability. They say I am unmanageable. They say I am a problem.
But I am not a problem. I HAVE AUTISM. My mom has taken me to more doctors and specialist than you can ever imagine. She's read more books and done more research on my disease than parents would ever want. She has tried special diet, supplements, drugs and various metabolic therapies. She has PRAYED for GUIDANCE and asked for discernment on how to help my body. And behaviors, OH YES, has she tried everything to help my behavior.
Stop telling her all I need is a spanking. If spanking would stop all this, my mom would gladly exchange my disability for a spanking. She knows better than all of you what I need to help me, and what we both need is your understanding, not ignorance.
I just want to be accepted and understood. No blamed and ashamed, I want to be appreciated for my gifts. I do have some if you look more closely. I want to be cared for as a person. I want you to care, even when I act like I don't.
I want to be respected, just like you do. I want you to respect my mom and dad for all the hard work they have done to help me try to lead a normal a life as possible. I want you to respect my family and all the struggles we have to endure because of our love for each other.
I want to be LOVED like any other child. And need you to role model respectful behavior for me so I can be respectful too. I want you to love me just like God would.
Monday, July 19, 2010
22 is a great number.
Soooo much yummy goodness in the number 22....it was the day that I was born, is the estimated due date of baby #3, is my lucky number and is where I am at in this pregnancy. 22 weeks already! It is really moving by fast. More good news...today, I dosed down for the 2nd time since starting the Zofran. This is a HUGE step towards weaning completely off the medication and having NO MORE PUMP!!! I get very excited at the idea of that. I have my midwife appointment on the 28th, and they will be doing another ultrasound to check weight/fluid/movement of baby. I am excited to get another sneek peek in there. I took some really nice belly pictures, but they were inadvertantly deleted from my memory card *EEK* so, hopefully this week, we can snap a few more. So far in this pregnancy I have realized a few things:
1-Pregnancies over 30 are much harder on your body then when you are a young gal
2-My ass thinks it's pregnant too
3-"The rules" of pregnancy kinda go out the window when you are chasing around 2 children..."don't lift anything heavier than 50 lbs...." yeah right.
4-People assume you are just fat, because the idea of you being pregnant again just seems crazy
5- Keeping track of how far along you are takes skill. I remember when I was pregnant with my first two, every week I updated a blog, I had a pregnancy ticker, I took pictures....now, when someone asks me how far along I am...I have to stop and count the weeks, so...I just say "5ish months".
6-My skinny jeans have officially kicked me out.
7-Decorating a nursery is a waste of time. In my experience, the baby sleeps in our room most of the time, so why bother, save money for more important things...like a good carseat.
8-I am so much more relaxed this time around. I have learned that pregnancy is to be enjoyed, and cherished, because honestly, we really don't know when it may or may not happen again. It's such a wonderful blessing, and I am thankful to be living it again.
1-Pregnancies over 30 are much harder on your body then when you are a young gal
2-My ass thinks it's pregnant too
3-"The rules" of pregnancy kinda go out the window when you are chasing around 2 children..."don't lift anything heavier than 50 lbs...." yeah right.
4-People assume you are just fat, because the idea of you being pregnant again just seems crazy
5- Keeping track of how far along you are takes skill. I remember when I was pregnant with my first two, every week I updated a blog, I had a pregnancy ticker, I took pictures....now, when someone asks me how far along I am...I have to stop and count the weeks, so...I just say "5ish months".
6-My skinny jeans have officially kicked me out.
7-Decorating a nursery is a waste of time. In my experience, the baby sleeps in our room most of the time, so why bother, save money for more important things...like a good carseat.
8-I am so much more relaxed this time around. I have learned that pregnancy is to be enjoyed, and cherished, because honestly, we really don't know when it may or may not happen again. It's such a wonderful blessing, and I am thankful to be living it again.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Halfway there....
Time really has flown by. As of today, I am 20 weeks and halfway through this pregnancy. I can't believe that I will be a mama again in November. We are really excited about the new baby, and can't wait to learn more about her/him. I have another U/S scheduled the end of this month to monitor baby's weight gain, etc. I will share that with you when we have it. *I do have belly pictures, just need to upload them...when I have a chance, I will update that as well!*
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Midwife appointment today
We had our checkup today. The last appointment ran over, so we only got to do the U/S but no meet with our M/W. Here are some of the stats from my appointment.
I have gained a total of 5 lbs in this pregnancy so far....lost 5 since my last appointment :( Baby is right on track for their birthday of between 11-22 and 11-28. The heart rate was in the 160's again today, and was very loud. Baby was super active which was fun to watch....I am getting SUPER excited about the new birthing rooms that are opening the end of summer at Phoenix Baptist. They will have birthing tubs, no restrictions, real beds, and the total care of midwives. I am also excited because as long as nothing is wrong with baby (ie. meconium, low birth weight, low apgar, or gbs+) we can go home in 6 hours after baby is born *cue the angels singing* they also do not care if both siblings are present, regardless of time of year.
Baby is REALLY consistent on their wake/sleep cycle already. Tristan was this way too, and it seemed to transfer over into his real life after he was born. Baby is always awake at 930PM, for around 10 mins, then drifts off to sleep. We time it, and sure thing...there it is "thump, bump...thump, thump." I love that feeling by the way.
My legs are starting to run out of spots for my iv...and that sucks. Today my midwives discussed whether I need to move it to my tummy *scared face* OUCH. Hopefully the infusion sites will heal up and I can continue to put it in the fatty part there...because, let me tell you..the thought of peircing a needle in my belly really freaks.me.out.
We have another ultrasound scheduled on 7/28 since I continue to lose weight and have horrible vomitting episodes. I will update you then on how it all goes.
I have gained a total of 5 lbs in this pregnancy so far....lost 5 since my last appointment :( Baby is right on track for their birthday of between 11-22 and 11-28. The heart rate was in the 160's again today, and was very loud. Baby was super active which was fun to watch....I am getting SUPER excited about the new birthing rooms that are opening the end of summer at Phoenix Baptist. They will have birthing tubs, no restrictions, real beds, and the total care of midwives. I am also excited because as long as nothing is wrong with baby (ie. meconium, low birth weight, low apgar, or gbs+) we can go home in 6 hours after baby is born *cue the angels singing* they also do not care if both siblings are present, regardless of time of year.
Baby is REALLY consistent on their wake/sleep cycle already. Tristan was this way too, and it seemed to transfer over into his real life after he was born. Baby is always awake at 930PM, for around 10 mins, then drifts off to sleep. We time it, and sure thing...there it is "thump, bump...thump, thump." I love that feeling by the way.
My legs are starting to run out of spots for my iv...and that sucks. Today my midwives discussed whether I need to move it to my tummy *scared face* OUCH. Hopefully the infusion sites will heal up and I can continue to put it in the fatty part there...because, let me tell you..the thought of peircing a needle in my belly really freaks.me.out.
We have another ultrasound scheduled on 7/28 since I continue to lose weight and have horrible vomitting episodes. I will update you then on how it all goes.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
18 weeks pregnant...and feeling it (in a good way)!
18 weeks have passed since we first started this journey so I thought it was time for a REAL pregnancy update, not one talking about a stupid pump or vomit or medication! I am going to try and do these monthly, so...here is month 4.
The baby is moving A LOT...boy do I feel it. Shannon has also felt baby move, and he was so happy...it was a great moment to share together. As a mama, here we are feeling all these amazing things, moment by moment, that at times I am sure that most dads may feel a bit left out...I think once the baby is at a gestational age that their tiny movements can be felt from outside the womb, it seems like it feels realer for the dad's when they can feel it too.
I am finally not as tired as I was in the very beginning, and let me tell you...that is an awesome thing. I am still in my regular clothes, only a few of my jeans have started to get tight..for now I refuse to let them kick me out. My solution to the tiny tightness is by ghetto rigging my jeans and using the rubber band method, works GREAT, and costs NOTHING! Total weight gained so far...about 6 lbs, feeling great overall, and loving this baby bump. I will try and post some pictures, haven't really posted any before, because...well, there wasn't anything to show yet!
Cravings...not many. I have been trying to eat as much as can be tolerated, mostly raw foods, slushies, and fruit. Just recently, red meat has been a HUGE turn off, so, holding off on that for the time being. Seafood is something that I am surprisingly able to tolerate really well..YUMM.
Being pregnant in the summer SUCKS. I wish it was about 10 degrees cooler, and that I could go swimming :( My solution to staying cool...popsicles, and lots of them. I also make fruit slushies and smoothies and that REALLY helps. I guess my favorite "snack" of sorts is frozen lemonade...soooo good.
Trinity is super excited about her new baby sister or brother. We have gone through the video of when she was born, and pictures of Tristan's birth to refresh her memory. She can't wait to hold baby, neither can I.
I will keep you updated on baby 3 as change happens. Stay tuned for more Hydeman family news!
The baby is moving A LOT...boy do I feel it. Shannon has also felt baby move, and he was so happy...it was a great moment to share together. As a mama, here we are feeling all these amazing things, moment by moment, that at times I am sure that most dads may feel a bit left out...I think once the baby is at a gestational age that their tiny movements can be felt from outside the womb, it seems like it feels realer for the dad's when they can feel it too.
I am finally not as tired as I was in the very beginning, and let me tell you...that is an awesome thing. I am still in my regular clothes, only a few of my jeans have started to get tight..for now I refuse to let them kick me out. My solution to the tiny tightness is by ghetto rigging my jeans and using the rubber band method, works GREAT, and costs NOTHING! Total weight gained so far...about 6 lbs, feeling great overall, and loving this baby bump. I will try and post some pictures, haven't really posted any before, because...well, there wasn't anything to show yet!
Cravings...not many. I have been trying to eat as much as can be tolerated, mostly raw foods, slushies, and fruit. Just recently, red meat has been a HUGE turn off, so, holding off on that for the time being. Seafood is something that I am surprisingly able to tolerate really well..YUMM.
Being pregnant in the summer SUCKS. I wish it was about 10 degrees cooler, and that I could go swimming :( My solution to staying cool...popsicles, and lots of them. I also make fruit slushies and smoothies and that REALLY helps. I guess my favorite "snack" of sorts is frozen lemonade...soooo good.
Trinity is super excited about her new baby sister or brother. We have gone through the video of when she was born, and pictures of Tristan's birth to refresh her memory. She can't wait to hold baby, neither can I.
I will keep you updated on baby 3 as change happens. Stay tuned for more Hydeman family news!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Update on my pump and pregnancy stuff
It's been a month since starting the zofran IV medication, and let me tell you...night and day people, NIGHT and DAY. Before being on the pump, I was sick all.day.long. Not fun. I would wake up in the middle of the night, vomitting uncontrollably, I couldn't eat or drink anything unless I wanted to see it again in 10 minutes. I lost weight, bunches of it, and I felt so sick. Baby did so good during all of this, he/she stayed strong and stuck around...boy are we happy about that. I can't express how much happier I am to be able to function semi normally (because we all know I don't really do "normal" all that well anyway ;) But now that I have raved about how well I feel, I thought I should mention the darker side *cue the scary voice*
A few Con's to the pump so far:
-Site changes SUCK. The thought of having to plunge a needle into my thigh every 2 days just makes my tummy turn.
-THE BURN! When I have really bad days, there is something called a "bolus" or "demand dose" it's basically 4 hours of medication in 12 minutes. This burns at the infusion site, you get used to it over time...but there are occasions that it hits me...OUCH.
-Forgetting about the pump...OK, this one, SUCKS. The pump comes with a handy shoulder strap, and when I sit down, I take it off and put it on the back of the chair (think purse, hanging on chair back). But there are times I forget it's attached to me, get up, and the IV comes ripping out of my leg. Not fun...let me tell you.
-Site infection. This has only happened to me a handful of times, but, it's something worth mentioning. Sometimes the spot where the infusion is will seriously irritate the muscle/skin tissue, and nice size knot remains. My nurses tell me to alternate hot and cold compresses, but I have a bump from a 12 day old site and I don't see it going away anytime soon.
-Headaches. This is one of the few side effects from the medication, so naturally, I would get it. Headaches and me go way back, and these are pretty severe.
-Dizziness. Another lovely side effect that I could do without. BUT, there is a lovely drug called "BONINE" it's for motion sickness, completely safe during pregnancy, and TOTALLY takes the dizziness away....make a note of that.
-Skin breakdown. I have ridiculously sensitive skin, hence the skin breakdown. Luckily, they sell a lovely product called "skin prep" and you wipe it on in lieu of an alchohol pad, it puts a barrier between my skin and the infusion site adhesive. I hope it helps soon, cause at this rate, I won't be wearing shorts or a swimsuit anytime soon.
-Just being attached to a device 24 hrs a day. It makes simple things seem so difficult. Such as: sex, baths, showers, playing tag with the kiddos, swimming, laying on the side with the site, working out, sleeping in general, driving....
But even with it all...at the end of the day, feeling that amazing baby growing inside of me...it's all worth it.
A few Con's to the pump so far:
-Site changes SUCK. The thought of having to plunge a needle into my thigh every 2 days just makes my tummy turn.
-THE BURN! When I have really bad days, there is something called a "bolus" or "demand dose" it's basically 4 hours of medication in 12 minutes. This burns at the infusion site, you get used to it over time...but there are occasions that it hits me...OUCH.
-Forgetting about the pump...OK, this one, SUCKS. The pump comes with a handy shoulder strap, and when I sit down, I take it off and put it on the back of the chair (think purse, hanging on chair back). But there are times I forget it's attached to me, get up, and the IV comes ripping out of my leg. Not fun...let me tell you.
-Site infection. This has only happened to me a handful of times, but, it's something worth mentioning. Sometimes the spot where the infusion is will seriously irritate the muscle/skin tissue, and nice size knot remains. My nurses tell me to alternate hot and cold compresses, but I have a bump from a 12 day old site and I don't see it going away anytime soon.
-Headaches. This is one of the few side effects from the medication, so naturally, I would get it. Headaches and me go way back, and these are pretty severe.
-Dizziness. Another lovely side effect that I could do without. BUT, there is a lovely drug called "BONINE" it's for motion sickness, completely safe during pregnancy, and TOTALLY takes the dizziness away....make a note of that.
-Skin breakdown. I have ridiculously sensitive skin, hence the skin breakdown. Luckily, they sell a lovely product called "skin prep" and you wipe it on in lieu of an alchohol pad, it puts a barrier between my skin and the infusion site adhesive. I hope it helps soon, cause at this rate, I won't be wearing shorts or a swimsuit anytime soon.
-Just being attached to a device 24 hrs a day. It makes simple things seem so difficult. Such as: sex, baths, showers, playing tag with the kiddos, swimming, laying on the side with the site, working out, sleeping in general, driving....
But even with it all...at the end of the day, feeling that amazing baby growing inside of me...it's all worth it.
In my fake shopping bag(s) right now...
I know, I know...we have been over this. WHY do I torment myself with the thought of purchasing such lovely things, when I know that I can't and won't afford it. I think it's so freeing to click away, placing those little treasures into a virtual shopping cart and then just leaving it. I don't have the guilt, I don't suffer the blow to my pocket book, and I don't really need the stuff...ok, the diapers I need, but, not yet. For now, Fakeshopping is it.
...no, not the girl...just the girly outfits.
...no, not the girl...just the girly outfits.
I am - June
thankful for my husband
happy for my awesome family
enjoying my pregnancy
still hopelessly in love with turqoise and orange, and even yellow too
absolutely addicted to fake shopping
liking this ever growing baby belly of mine
proud of my photography
wishing for cooler weather
in disbelief that Tristan is going to be 4 next month
dreaming about when I will have enough land for chickens and a fat garden
happy where we are in life. we have little, but some have none
optimistic
loving my messy house
saddened by the oil spill and all the life that has and will be lost
sewing and stocking up my cloth diaper stash
still wishing on stars and hoping for miracles
happy for my awesome family
enjoying my pregnancy
still hopelessly in love with turqoise and orange, and even yellow too
absolutely addicted to fake shopping
liking this ever growing baby belly of mine
proud of my photography
wishing for cooler weather
in disbelief that Tristan is going to be 4 next month
dreaming about when I will have enough land for chickens and a fat garden
happy where we are in life. we have little, but some have none
optimistic
loving my messy house
saddened by the oil spill and all the life that has and will be lost
sewing and stocking up my cloth diaper stash
still wishing on stars and hoping for miracles
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Another picture to share
Another picture of baby 3.
Not sure if you can see it, but baby is kicking back, one leg up on knee and arm behind head....pretty relaxed!
Not sure if you can see it, but baby is kicking back, one leg up on knee and arm behind head....pretty relaxed!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Pump it up!
Not like the dance. No, no...this is nothing that Salt n Pepa could have written, this is something FAR different. Welcome, to my pump. I had my Zofran pump installed" today. I have been upgraded from "regular mommy" to "cyborg super mommy". All kidding aside, this is a lifesaver. *if you are interested, I can upload a picture, otherwise, here is a stock photo of the unit*
For those who have been emailing and asking, let me clarify what is going on with our pregnancy right now. I am currently 15 1/2 weeks pregnant, and have been diagnosed with late onset hyperemesis gravidarum. It happens in about 1% of pregnancies, and though the cause is unknown, most health care profs think that it can be attributed to hormonal changes during pregnancy. This HG is nothing new to us though. I had a very severe case when I was pregnant with my Trinity. To sum up what it feels like, I can only explain it like this...think about morning sickness, now, add in the feeling you get when you get off the teacups, throw in the feeling you get when you have food poisoning and just for fun, add in flu symptoms...there you go, Hyperemesis Gravidarum has come a knocking on your door. It's virtually impossible to get anything done, showering, walking, riding in the car, eating, even laying down to rest are sometimes unbearable. So, after trips to the ER, admissions to the hospital, dehydration, weight loss, I.V.'s and major vomitting...our midwife concluded it was time to take the next step.
Zofran is the drug that I am currently on. Some women who suffer from HG respond very well to oral forms of this medication, but, not this mama. I have had 4mg every 4 hours, 4 mg every 2 hours, 8 mg every 6 hours, to 8 mg every 4 hours...they take the edge off, let me look like I function like a normal human being, but I still can't keep any food down, only liquids, and in VERY small amounts.
This medication is commonly administered to patients going in for surgeries to bypass any vomitting or naseau that they may experience, and is prescribed to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. I will most likely have to be on Zofran IV the duration of this pregnancy. So, here is a little list of Q&A for anyone doing research on Zofran. Hope this helps.
Does it hurt? Yes, but like with anything, you get used to it. I can't start a site myself, Shannon has to do it....I am such a wuss when it comes to injecting myself with needles.
Are their any side effects? To me...welts at the infusion site, redness and itching and hardening at the site. At times, it can make you dizzy, but nothing compared to the way I was feeling before the medication. To baby, there are no known side effects, and having a daughter that was a Zofran pregnancy, I can tell you, there are none...maybe just increased language/chattiness LOL.
Does it work?? OMG....does it ever. Like night and day. I go from not being able to sit up or eat and drink, to functioning like a "normal" (whatever that means) person.
Is it expensive? Terribly. If you don't have insurance, be prepared to pay out the ass...and I mean it. The oral medication runs about $30/pill, and I had to take 2 every 4 hours to be semi-functioning. The pump itself is covered through insurance, but if lost or damaged, the $4995 price tag could really set you back. You have to change your site at least every 2 days, and that means new tubing, needles and biohazard/sharps bags. I haven't gotten the run down sheet from the insurance company yet regarding costs, but 7 years ago when I was pg with Trinity, the syringes of medication ran about $85/syringe, and I had to use 2 in a day everyday. YIKES.
How long will you have to be on it? I was on the IV with Trinity until my 8th month. It's likely that I will be on this medication for the duration of the pregnancy. Most women who suffer from HG early onset, will have the symptoms for the first 20 weeks.
Is it big and bulky? No, about the size of a Nintendo DS, but not as heavy. It's fairly easy to conceal, especially if you have a purse you carry...problem..I don't usually carry a purse and I have a big little boy on my hip.
So, hopefully this answered some questions for all of you, hopefully if there are other mamas suffering from HG they are able to read this and feel some sense of preparedness. Ultimately, I have to say how thankful I am. I am thankful for getting and staying pregnant, for having access to lifesaving medication, and for a supporting family and great small circle of friends. Now, lets just get through these next 5 months shall we!
For those who have been emailing and asking, let me clarify what is going on with our pregnancy right now. I am currently 15 1/2 weeks pregnant, and have been diagnosed with late onset hyperemesis gravidarum. It happens in about 1% of pregnancies, and though the cause is unknown, most health care profs think that it can be attributed to hormonal changes during pregnancy. This HG is nothing new to us though. I had a very severe case when I was pregnant with my Trinity. To sum up what it feels like, I can only explain it like this...think about morning sickness, now, add in the feeling you get when you get off the teacups, throw in the feeling you get when you have food poisoning and just for fun, add in flu symptoms...there you go, Hyperemesis Gravidarum has come a knocking on your door. It's virtually impossible to get anything done, showering, walking, riding in the car, eating, even laying down to rest are sometimes unbearable. So, after trips to the ER, admissions to the hospital, dehydration, weight loss, I.V.'s and major vomitting...our midwife concluded it was time to take the next step.
Zofran is the drug that I am currently on. Some women who suffer from HG respond very well to oral forms of this medication, but, not this mama. I have had 4mg every 4 hours, 4 mg every 2 hours, 8 mg every 6 hours, to 8 mg every 4 hours...they take the edge off, let me look like I function like a normal human being, but I still can't keep any food down, only liquids, and in VERY small amounts.
This medication is commonly administered to patients going in for surgeries to bypass any vomitting or naseau that they may experience, and is prescribed to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. I will most likely have to be on Zofran IV the duration of this pregnancy. So, here is a little list of Q&A for anyone doing research on Zofran. Hope this helps.
Does it hurt? Yes, but like with anything, you get used to it. I can't start a site myself, Shannon has to do it....I am such a wuss when it comes to injecting myself with needles.
Are their any side effects? To me...welts at the infusion site, redness and itching and hardening at the site. At times, it can make you dizzy, but nothing compared to the way I was feeling before the medication. To baby, there are no known side effects, and having a daughter that was a Zofran pregnancy, I can tell you, there are none...maybe just increased language/chattiness LOL.
Does it work?? OMG....does it ever. Like night and day. I go from not being able to sit up or eat and drink, to functioning like a "normal" (whatever that means) person.
Is it expensive? Terribly. If you don't have insurance, be prepared to pay out the ass...and I mean it. The oral medication runs about $30/pill, and I had to take 2 every 4 hours to be semi-functioning. The pump itself is covered through insurance, but if lost or damaged, the $4995 price tag could really set you back. You have to change your site at least every 2 days, and that means new tubing, needles and biohazard/sharps bags. I haven't gotten the run down sheet from the insurance company yet regarding costs, but 7 years ago when I was pg with Trinity, the syringes of medication ran about $85/syringe, and I had to use 2 in a day everyday. YIKES.
How long will you have to be on it? I was on the IV with Trinity until my 8th month. It's likely that I will be on this medication for the duration of the pregnancy. Most women who suffer from HG early onset, will have the symptoms for the first 20 weeks.
Is it big and bulky? No, about the size of a Nintendo DS, but not as heavy. It's fairly easy to conceal, especially if you have a purse you carry...problem..I don't usually carry a purse and I have a big little boy on my hip.
So, hopefully this answered some questions for all of you, hopefully if there are other mamas suffering from HG they are able to read this and feel some sense of preparedness. Ultimately, I have to say how thankful I am. I am thankful for getting and staying pregnant, for having access to lifesaving medication, and for a supporting family and great small circle of friends. Now, lets just get through these next 5 months shall we!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Hello little graduate
Trinity graduated from Kindergarten on the 20th. She was so super proud of herself! We can't believe that next year she will be in 1st grade!
Dear Little Baby,
When we first found out about you, I was so excited, and I stayed excited for a while...until I started to get sick. We made the choice not to tell anyone about you, and I even tried not to get too attached for fear that we may just lose you like we have other babies in the past. We have had a hard road with pregnancies, and I felt like this was just going to be another one of those bumpy paths paved with misfortune and heartbreak. But here we are, 15 weeks already and you decided to stick around, I am so happy you did.
I got to see a picture of you yesterday...granted, the circumstances weren't the most desirable, but ER or not, I got to see your beautiful profile...and that little flutter, your heart. I hope you don't think that I didn't want to share you with anyone...I wasn't embarrassed, or ashamed, just fearful, but after the doctor said "You have a little fighter in there"....I knew it was o.k. to tell everyone. I hope that in sharing you with the world, everyone can think happy, positive thoughts for you, and keep you fighting in there...keep you strong in there, so you can be strong out here. Stay strong ok?
I remember when I was pregnant with your older sister Trinity...that pregnancy was much like this one. I too was on special medicine to help keep me from getting sick. But even with the I.V.'s, medicine pumps and endless bouts of sickness, I am always so greatful to be pregnant. I know that there are so many others who are not able to be, and I can't imagine what that must feel like. We start the new medicine tomorrow, and I am happy and hopeful that it will give me a chance to not be sick anymore. I want you to know that you are so wanted, so loved and so anticipated already. We want to meet you, and hope you decide to be born. I never imagined to be going through this again, but, here we are, on a new journey together. I can't wait for you to meet your family.
I got to see a picture of you yesterday...granted, the circumstances weren't the most desirable, but ER or not, I got to see your beautiful profile...and that little flutter, your heart. I hope you don't think that I didn't want to share you with anyone...I wasn't embarrassed, or ashamed, just fearful, but after the doctor said "You have a little fighter in there"....I knew it was o.k. to tell everyone. I hope that in sharing you with the world, everyone can think happy, positive thoughts for you, and keep you fighting in there...keep you strong in there, so you can be strong out here. Stay strong ok?
I remember when I was pregnant with your older sister Trinity...that pregnancy was much like this one. I too was on special medicine to help keep me from getting sick. But even with the I.V.'s, medicine pumps and endless bouts of sickness, I am always so greatful to be pregnant. I know that there are so many others who are not able to be, and I can't imagine what that must feel like. We start the new medicine tomorrow, and I am happy and hopeful that it will give me a chance to not be sick anymore. I want you to know that you are so wanted, so loved and so anticipated already. We want to meet you, and hope you decide to be born. I never imagined to be going through this again, but, here we are, on a new journey together. I can't wait for you to meet your family.
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