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You know that post I did a couple days ago?
Boy do I have an update.
I will get to replies on that post--please accept my apologies.
Yesterday was E P I C. And not necessarily in GOOD ways.
Okay...first off. SIL. STILL IN LABOR. She SHOULD be pushing right bout now, and hopefully I'll have an edit to my post soon. Yes...you heard right. They started inducing my poor SIL on Weds at about 10 am (GMT-5). It is currently Friday 11:20 Pm and she STILL HASNT DELIVERED!
They stopped her meds around 8 pm yesterday to give her a chance to eat, shower, and sleep, but as you can imagine, she's drained. As is my brother and SIL's mom. Baby looks great on fetal monitor, they broke SIL's water about 10 hrs ago, and last update I had she should be pushing any time now.
But what a week for them!!
So, given all that, my computer woes, DH's hand, liquid diet, his impending surgery, SIL and bro's neverending labor, you'd expect things were quiet down here.
Right?
Um..no.
I don't sleep well--ever. EVER. I remember as a child being up til midnight, one, just unable to sleep. My typical insomnia episodes run a few months of 3-4 hour a night of sleep, then a phase where I sleep more like 6 hours a night. However, since...roughly NOV 2011 (yes 2011 NOT 2012), I started on a 3-4 hour a night phase. Since September, its been more like 90 min cycles, twice a day, three hours of sleep at most.
I've been feeling miserable for months now, but there has always seemed to be higher priorities. Yes, I'm not particularly good about putting MY needs first.
So...anyway...I was up as usual overnight hoping for baby info Weds into Thursday, working away when I realized I was having serious problems putting words together. I was on IM with cyber mom, who called(though it was 4 am or so) and I just randomly took my blood pressure as we spoke. Since roommate has chronic high blood pressure, she has an at home testing cuff. Now, I normally have very low blood pressure, but my pulse rate was a big worry. Normal pulse rate (resting) is in the 60 beats a min range and I was testing in the 37-44. I didn't trust the cuff and did it manually. Same deal. My BP, low as always, too. My lowest in the last several days has been 70/41, with a 34 per min heart rate.
Over the course of a couple hours, I took regular readings. As I sat here, I realized I had rings around my vision, that I was gray on the peripherals of my vision, and that words were harder than ever to string together.
I managed a couple hours of sleep while DH was in the field on a job site and when he got home yesterday afternoon I was so wobbly he looked at me, I looked at him and we trundled off to the ER again. I kind of felt like an idiot, but they took my VERY seriously when they saw the readings, putting me on a cardiac monitor, running a complete blood panel and an EKG.
They did see some anomalies on the EKG, but they didn't seem too concerned, thank god.
After about 3 hours, they sent me home, having diagnosed me with insomnia, cervical spine strain (I have agonizing shoulder and neck pain), severe anemia, and my diabetes needs to be treated again. The scary heartbeat and pulse issue appears to be just severe sleep deprivation related.
Thank god! It is something I'll be keeping an eye on, but pulse rate is already up a bit after one night of sleep.
But what a week!!!
They gave me vicodin (muscle relaxer) and ambien (sleep aid) and I slept 8 hours last night. 8 hours--do you have any idea how GOOD that feels? I know it is just a start but it IS a start!
We need to figure out something about the anemia--Hawk, I know you'll ask LOL! I'm 6.9, which I understand is fairly serious. And I have a serious problem absorbing iron in pill form, so I may have to go IV infusion route.
Back on insulin, which doesn't impress me, but I'm fairly realistic about.
And I should be any aunt any hour now!
So how did YOUR week end up???
Boy do I have an update.
I will get to replies on that post--please accept my apologies.
Yesterday was E P I C. And not necessarily in GOOD ways.
Okay...first off. SIL. STILL IN LABOR. She SHOULD be pushing right bout now, and hopefully I'll have an edit to my post soon. Yes...you heard right. They started inducing my poor SIL on Weds at about 10 am (GMT-5). It is currently Friday 11:20 Pm and she STILL HASNT DELIVERED!
They stopped her meds around 8 pm yesterday to give her a chance to eat, shower, and sleep, but as you can imagine, she's drained. As is my brother and SIL's mom. Baby looks great on fetal monitor, they broke SIL's water about 10 hrs ago, and last update I had she should be pushing any time now.
But what a week for them!!
So, given all that, my computer woes, DH's hand, liquid diet, his impending surgery, SIL and bro's neverending labor, you'd expect things were quiet down here.
Right?
Um..no.
I don't sleep well--ever. EVER. I remember as a child being up til midnight, one, just unable to sleep. My typical insomnia episodes run a few months of 3-4 hour a night of sleep, then a phase where I sleep more like 6 hours a night. However, since...roughly NOV 2011 (yes 2011 NOT 2012), I started on a 3-4 hour a night phase. Since September, its been more like 90 min cycles, twice a day, three hours of sleep at most.
I've been feeling miserable for months now, but there has always seemed to be higher priorities. Yes, I'm not particularly good about putting MY needs first.
So...anyway...I was up as usual overnight hoping for baby info Weds into Thursday, working away when I realized I was having serious problems putting words together. I was on IM with cyber mom, who called(though it was 4 am or so) and I just randomly took my blood pressure as we spoke. Since roommate has chronic high blood pressure, she has an at home testing cuff. Now, I normally have very low blood pressure, but my pulse rate was a big worry. Normal pulse rate (resting) is in the 60 beats a min range and I was testing in the 37-44. I didn't trust the cuff and did it manually. Same deal. My BP, low as always, too. My lowest in the last several days has been 70/41, with a 34 per min heart rate.
Over the course of a couple hours, I took regular readings. As I sat here, I realized I had rings around my vision, that I was gray on the peripherals of my vision, and that words were harder than ever to string together.
I managed a couple hours of sleep while DH was in the field on a job site and when he got home yesterday afternoon I was so wobbly he looked at me, I looked at him and we trundled off to the ER again. I kind of felt like an idiot, but they took my VERY seriously when they saw the readings, putting me on a cardiac monitor, running a complete blood panel and an EKG.
They did see some anomalies on the EKG, but they didn't seem too concerned, thank god.
After about 3 hours, they sent me home, having diagnosed me with insomnia, cervical spine strain (I have agonizing shoulder and neck pain), severe anemia, and my diabetes needs to be treated again. The scary heartbeat and pulse issue appears to be just severe sleep deprivation related.
Thank god! It is something I'll be keeping an eye on, but pulse rate is already up a bit after one night of sleep.
But what a week!!!
They gave me vicodin (muscle relaxer) and ambien (sleep aid) and I slept 8 hours last night. 8 hours--do you have any idea how GOOD that feels? I know it is just a start but it IS a start!
We need to figure out something about the anemia--Hawk, I know you'll ask LOL! I'm 6.9, which I understand is fairly serious. And I have a serious problem absorbing iron in pill form, so I may have to go IV infusion route.
Back on insulin, which doesn't impress me, but I'm fairly realistic about.
And I should be any aunt any hour now!
So how did YOUR week end up???
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From:
no subject
Wow, my dear, that's alot going on..
You have our thoughts and love and prayers. I'm sure you know that
when I see all the people who love you here.
And where aare all the stories you promised?
Love
Selma
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Someone really needs to get their priorities straight. Sheesh.
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Take your medicine and REST! :-)
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Thanks!!
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And hope all goes well and speedier with the baby!
*hugs*
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Yeah...with heart and pulse involved, I can't ignore.
Many hugs!
From:
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Liver is high in iron, and so are clams. There are several herbal/vegetable sources of iron you can work into your diet. And don't forget good old fashioned blackstrap molasses. Or vitamin C -- it helps you absorb iron.
PS: Sending positive thoughts for the baby to come soon.
From:
no subject
Thanks so much for all the advice. I have some vit c, some iron supplements, some almond butter, and I have a couple of clam steamer frozen meals :) I hope I can organize some liver this week too.
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Hope all goes well with the baby, keep us updated. And get lots and lots of rest!
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How are YOU, hon?
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I managed to get tonsilitis (even though I've not had tonsils for the last 36 years! - apparently the stalks can get infected... go figure)
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Feel better and take care!!!
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*gives a gentle and fierce group hug to the whole family*
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You make sure you take care. So glad you mentioned to get 8 hours sleep in one go, that's fantastic. Hope they can set your anaemia to rights, that's a bugger I know. Maybe you'll only have to inject iron instead of i.v., still unpleasant but better than i.v.
Hugs
From:
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Many hugs--YOU take care too!
I had about hours last night as well as a 3 hr nap today, so the meds seem to be helping.
I'm perfectly okay with an iron infusion if that is what it takes.
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So glad the meds are working. Hugs
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And let's hear it for the meds... better living through chemistry I always say!
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I'm both sad and glad that you had to go to the ER; sad because I'm so sorry it was necessary, but glad because it seems like they were able to help and provide some answers!! The anemia is definitely not good, especially if you have absorption problems, but I'm glad everything seems treatable (if a bit scary!) You've got to take care of yourself, hon!
So many hugs, and you guys are always in my thoughts! I certainly hope you're an auntie by now!!
From:
no subject
Heading off to new primary care doc on Tues who will hopefully have good anemia ideas.
Many hugs--hoping we can give em in person ;)
And I AM :) An Auntie I mean!
From:
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many many hugs, and I'll give you bigSQUOOSHY hugs when I see you!!
Yay, Auntie!TG! :)
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HUGS!!!
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How's the stomach thing, hon? Doing better?
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Saltines are my new BFF.
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*HUGS*
Medicine is good - enjoy the rest, and being an aunt.
When your DH is feeling better see if he can sorce you some kangaroo. It has alot of iron in the meat. Fresh purple Brocolli is also very good.
From:
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As for the anemia... *frowns* HOW did you get that way? When was the last time you had your blood checked? Was this something that developed over years or was it relatively quick? Sorry about all the questions and don't worry if you don't know. It's just professional curiosity. I'm just glad they found it and will be treating it. A 6.9 hgb is quite low and it's no wonder you feel so cruddy. A normal hgb is in the 12-14 range. I used to run in the 9 range... and, after my hysterectomy I shot up to a 14.5 and I feel SO much better!!
Diet is an awesome way to maintain a healthy hgb level but you may need supplemental iron to get you there. I Hope your doc gets going on this quickly so you can feel better.
And SIL? Poor thing. I know how awful a long labor is (my first was 4 days) and how it wears you out.
*hugs you*
From:
no subject
My last round of bloodwork was okay, so I suspect it is probably last 9-12 mos that it dropped. With gastric bypass, it is very hard for the body to absorb liver, since the duodenum is part of the old route and not new construction. The supplements...well...I haven't been great about taking them, as they're very hard on my stomach, so I've been relying on the iron in my multivitamin and food. Clearly that wasn't the right choice :(
I've been anemic various times in my life, in teenhood, but I always bounced back easily, Then again, way pre gastric bypass.
4 days? Omgosh! And you had more ;)
From:
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4 days ending with an emergency C-section. The next one, I scheduled my C-section on my first OB appointment. Still had an emergency section. *headdesk* Scheduled my third... emergency section as well.
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*hugs*