Surgery, Diabetes, Vomiting -- Oh My!

I still owe you funny, clever stories about The Snake's reaction to the news, but thought I'd just update on all that has happened the last week. Thanks again for all the good wishes for my dad.

Last Wednesday my dad had his chest ripped open and four arteries grafted to his heart to improve the blood flow to his muscle. He was highly tolerant to the pain meds and it took them an extra hour to get him settled in his bed post-op. But he came off the ventilator by that evening and most of his time in the hospital was unremarkable. Oh, except for the little diabetes that seems to have reared its ugly head.

My dad has a sweet tooth. And he indulges it. However, his routine blood work has never necessitated any further investigation into a diabetes diagnosis, although his fasting sugar is at the high end of the normal range. His younger brother has battled the disease for a number of years. So this event has been a little tough for him. He has been discharged on 2 oral medications for diabetes, as well as a long-acting insulin shot once a day. He checks his sugar 4-5 times a day at this point to track how things are going. The doctors say the condition may not be permanent or at least may improve, but they can't be certain. It may have been kicked off by the intense trauma/stress to his body from the surgery.

So I stayed back in Pennsylvania until he came home from the hospital, to help my mom and brother (who lives with them) get him settled. My folks have been pretty healthy so aren't hugely medically savvy and dealing with all the heart meds and diabetes meds and monitoring was pretty overwhelming. But things quickly got settled, and I finally had to get back to return The Snake to school and be sure Resident Boy had not completely demolished the house.

Of course I arrived home to dog poop in the basement, pee on the rug, dog hair all over everything, and no food in the house. It wasn't the dog's fault -- Resident Boy didn't pick up her prescription diet and she got sick. And I have a week to clean it up, work on the taxes, organize a bunch of things, go to 2 doctors appointments and prepare to leave again for another week. We are heading out west to scope out neighborhoods in LA (The Snake will stay with his other grandparents in AZ).

Oh, and did I mention that the advent of the 2nd trimester brought along puking? Only a couple of times, but now I have these occasional waves of full-on, intense nausea. And the fatigue -- oy vey. I'm happy, absolutely. But I just don't know how everything is going to get done. And it is SO much colder here! I just want to curl up under the covers and sleep, which I did this afternoon.

This turned into a rant, huh? Well, I wish that I'd gotten a few more things done today, but I'm trying to remember that gestating 2 babies is tough work. And my primary job. But its hard when I can't see or feel them and just feel wrecked.

I did finally catch up on all my blogs tucked away in my reader! So while I didn't comment much, I know what you all have been up to, for the most part. I'd missed my daily check-ins! More fun and interesting things to follow, while I'm resting between loads of laundry.

Cabbage

Well, my Dad's procedure went okay, except that they couldn't address his problem medically. He needs surgery. He's having beating heart by-pass surgery today, probably a triple. He generally in very good health, so we are being positive that all will be fine. His care has been very good so far, and we are confident he will make a good recovery.

Telling The Snake was fun and I'll fill you in on all the silliness when I get home. Needless to say, he is excited.

Thanks for all the good wishes and prayers. I'll let you know how things went.

First Trimester Scan

Last night I developed an intense tension neck/headache. I guess the NT scan was worrying me more than I thought.

Both babies look fine. They were less than cooperative, but all the measurements were around 1.2-1.4 mm for both babies. This practice also takes a drop of blood (I think for free beta hCG levels) which is factored into the statistics -- so I won't have and risk factor info for another week. But the ultrasonographer said she would be surprised for us to have any indications to need CVS. And of course the question becomes, would we really risk losing both babies if there was a problem with one? Its something we will discuss extensively, but I think we've come so far to get these babies, I'm not sure we could take any chances.

I got to see facial bones, heart (and HEAR the heartbeats for the 1st time!), stomach, bladder and arms and legs. It was amazing. Baby A was very active, while Baby B was rather quiet. Neither wanted to give the tech the view she needed. But she was very patient and finally after we took a bathroom break for me, we got all the measurements. The babies seems to be side-by-side with the placenta at the top -- so no placenta previa worries. The tech also noted a possible small subchorionic bleed, and that may have contributed the strange "fluid event" from 2 weeks ago.

While we can't be sure, there are some suspecious other apendages. One definitely seemed to have some equipment, and the other may too, although she was less sure with the second. As long as one is a boy, then The Snake will be happy. He has been VERY clear that he wants a "baby brudder." I'll be happy if they both arrive safe and sound.

I think we will tell The Snake tonight. It will be interesting, to say the least. Then, in the morning, I'm packing up and heading to see my folks and friends in PA since The Snake has off school for the week. I'm hoping its a joyful trip, but there are some potential downers. I found out this week that my dad is going to have cardiac catheterization, and possible stent placement if needed, on Monday. And I will be trying to see MW and MM, our friends facing a terrible cancer diagnosis. Regardless, I'm sure it will be an emotional week with both highs and lows. I'll try to keep you updated. Thanks for all the support lately.

Mis-Scheduling Mishap

As the clock ticked closer to noon, I became more anxious and cranky.
Come on Snake! Get those boots on!
I hand him off to the neighbor to walk to school and bolt down the road to the office. I arrive only to find the receptionist is not expecting me today. My appointment is scheduled for ... TOMORROW.

So, no NT scan today. No telling The Snake just yet. Not quite so special a Valentine's Day.

But we will love one another anyway. And kiss and hug. And tomorrow can be special too.

A lovely day and lovey day to you all!

Half Dozen Things

Adriane tagged me awhile ago for 6 things things about me.

The Rules:
1) Link to the person who tagged you.
2) Post the rules.
3) Share six non-important things / habits / quirks about yourself.
4) Tag at least three people.
5) Make sure the people you tagged KNOW you tagged them by commenting what you did.

So here goes:

1.) When I'm done brushing my teeth I have to rinse 3 times. Like I HAVE TO, not one, not four, but 3 times exactly. Freak, I know.

2.) I can't watch TV if there is a video box or something sitting on top. Drives me bananas. Freak, I know.

3.) I don't like pickles on my burger.

4.) I don't know how to classify myself. I was a urbanite for years and loved it, but then had to get out. There are times I'd love to get away and disappear into the rural landscape. Somehow I'm stagnating here in surburbia.

5.) I used to do really intricate counted-cross stitch. Like the kind on linen where you count the threads instead of using aida cloth, and where you blend tons of shades and lose place of just what color is that. But then I got some mild carpal tunnel issues and couldn't do the type of projects I liked anymore.

6.) I hate shoe shopping. Wait, don't disown me yet! I have a good reason. I have flat feet and bunions and have had foot pain since my mid-20s. So I really need these big chunky orthotic supports that really only fit in sneakers and some chunky boots or oxfords. I refuse to buy "old lady" shoes, but can't afford the nice European comfort shoes. So I'm stuck in my New Balance.

Okay, now for the tagging. I'll nominate a few new friends, Rebecca, Katie and Makingpeace. I also owe Fizzledink a different meme, so I promise to work on that one soon.

Tomorrow is the big NT scan. I was getting a bit nervous, but lately I can hardly sit with out feeling my poochy stomach, so somebody is growing in there. I'm trying to be all zen about it. Trying. It seems we will be telling The Snake if all looks good on the scan. In many ways I wanted to wait, but things are really starting to pick up with arranging our move to LA. I'm worried with all the stuff of putting the house on the market and arranging the move, that he is going to need more time to adjust to these babies entering his life. I could be shooting myself in the foot, but if it gets me a little more help from him in day-to-day life, I'm hoping its worth it. I'll just have to listen to -- "are they coming today?" -- every day. Maybe I'll get earplugs.

Not

I have not gotten my house clean.
I have not managed to get my shower/tub drain fixed.
I have not packed for my trip this weekend.
I have not folded 4 loads of laundry.
I have not cooked dinner.
I have not ironed my husband's work shirts.
I have not found a realtor.
I have not touched up the damaged paint to sell the house.
I have not paid the bills.
I have not organized last seasons old pre-schooler clothes for consignment.
I have not started the taxes.
I have not returned the library books or movies.
I have not stocked the freezer to feed my DH while I'm away next week.
I have not picked up dog food.
I have not ... achieved very much lately.

It is bitter cold, snowing and gray. I am tired. sigh.

Lessons in Futility

With our lives on verge of so much change, I decided it is time for the pre-schooler to become more independent. Honestly, it had nothing to do with the raging hormones that morning.

I advised The Snake that I would no longer be giving advice on matching his clothes, and that he would need to perform the entire task of dressing on his own. I was certain he was capable, and had in fact witnessed this accomplishment on rare occasions.

Typical of his age, dawdling ensued. There was plenty of sitting on the bed naked and reading of books. Eventually I completed my own morning rituals and announced I would be heading downstairs to breakfast. Note: the general rule is to administer The Snake's allergy/asthma meds and brush teeth prior to a trip to the kitchen. Therefore, my announcement resulted in hysterical tears. I assured him we would complete those tasks after breakfast, but I was no longer going to nag constantly remind him to "get dressed."

While eating, I tried to scare the bejesus motivate him to start his morning on his own by reminding him that next year he would be in kindergarten and need to go to school in the morning.

His reply: Good thing I'm still in Pre-k, huh Mom? And I go in the afternoon.

You don't want to know how things went when I announced I'd no longer be wiping his butt either.

I Want Spring

For more Wordless Wednesday visit here.

With Sadness

I send my thoughts and prayers to Mary Ellen and Steve. I will remember your girls.



I haven't posted about this since I really couldn't find the words to express how saddened I am over this loss. I was touched by this post by an eloquent blogger who seemed to convey it all.