So the good news first! I had my second beta test today and the numbers jumped to 691. Just to recap my first beta was 119 four days ago! The reason a second and sometimes even a third beta test is performed is because it's important to see the hcg hormones (aka pregnancy hormone) increasing. More specifically they should double within 24-48 hours. And more exciting news, our first ultrasound will be on September 17th. I believe both of my IFs will be in attendance for this...which is so wonderful. My due date is May 10th and one of my IFs said this will be the most amazing birthday gift ever as his birthday is May 8th. I personally can't think of a better gift myself...so very excited for the guys. I know in my heart that they are going to be the most loving and doting dads of all time!! This is one lucky baby!!!
On a different note, more of an annoyance then anything else, is my decrepid thyroid gland. Apparently it decided to malfunction sometime between my physical and my blood work appointment for my medical evaluation this spring with my IFs clinic. Basically my body is attacking my thyroid like it's some foreign entity so I must take synthroid each morning to restore the chaos taking place in my body. I was prescribed 75mcg in the beginning of the summer which after a month or so it was determined that this dose was too high so I was switched to 50mcg. Four weeks later and yet another blood test revealed that my dosage was still too high so down to 25mcg. What I was not told was that there can be some uncomfortable side effects due to dosage changes notably the awful feeling of heart palpitations. And I got them so bad I could not sleep. So by early August and four plus blood tests later I was switched again to taking 25mcg now every other day. Ahhh hell one more thing to remember on top of all the other myriad of medications we GSs must take while cycling.
So here is my gripe...I have no side effects what so ever from taking synthroid. Actually I noticed almost immediately that I felt more alert and that I can actually mentally focus on a task for more then a few minutes without giving up. It's amazing how helping my son with his homework was such a chore for me just a few months ago and now it's a no brainer, amazing the power of hormones!. So here is the catch...synthroid must be taken in the morning as it acts sort of like a stimulant. After I take it I must wait a least one hour before eating, not a huge big deal just annoying so as not to effect the absorption. So what erks me to no end...because of my frequent senior moments I have to wait four hours to take any of my medications even vitamins. For some reason this is such a struggle for me to remember....so here is what happened this weekend...
After living in GA for three years I decided that we should visit the Atlanta Zoo over the Labor Day weekend! So my husband and I our three kids and my husband's friend drove 45 minutes to the zoo and as we pull-up I realized that I forgot to bring my estrace, prenatal vitamin and asprin..pull hair! No scream!! I had packed them in my purse since I still had another hour plus before I could take them, I blame the synthroid! So clearly I was not of sound mind, I choose to leave my purse at home so I would not have to lug it around. Seemed sensible at the time! So as Napoleon Dynamite would say "you Idiot!!" Not only would I have to bare another 1.5 hours of driving again but I would also miss my three year olds first trip to the zoo...well the first hour and a half. Add to that the feeling of being completely irresponsible too. I'm officially pregnant with my IFs child and these meds. are critical to keeping this little soul alive and well. So I had a senior moment it happens right? Praying that this will be the last at least as far as remembering my meds.
So your probably wondering where the sad news falls into all of this. Well last month my 14 year old daughter's best friend's mother told me over the phone that her husband was very sick...stage four cancer sick. My heart just sank and yes I was flipping speechless. Just did not know what to say...so now over the weekend we find out that her father passed away. Every time I try to discuss this with my daughter or think about a 14 year old losing her parent and so quickly I tear up and my throat gets so tight it feels like a massive lump is stuck in there. I really have very bad coping skills when it comes to death period. I have always envied people who were able to "celebrate" rather then just mourn the loss of a loved one. In this case I'm having a very difficult time wrapping my brain around a child just beginning high school and becoming a young women during what should be some the most memorable time in her life now having to cope with losing a parent when I still have both of mine at 40! So deep breath......trying not to cry right now...the good news is she was at school today and my daughter said she was so strong and was in good spirits, at least the best as one could be in given the grave circumstances. So night times are the hardest for me since my thoughts tend to wander...just trying to think happy thoughts as I know stress is not what my body needs...
On a different note, more of an annoyance then anything else, is my decrepid thyroid gland. Apparently it decided to malfunction sometime between my physical and my blood work appointment for my medical evaluation this spring with my IFs clinic. Basically my body is attacking my thyroid like it's some foreign entity so I must take synthroid each morning to restore the chaos taking place in my body. I was prescribed 75mcg in the beginning of the summer which after a month or so it was determined that this dose was too high so I was switched to 50mcg. Four weeks later and yet another blood test revealed that my dosage was still too high so down to 25mcg. What I was not told was that there can be some uncomfortable side effects due to dosage changes notably the awful feeling of heart palpitations. And I got them so bad I could not sleep. So by early August and four plus blood tests later I was switched again to taking 25mcg now every other day. Ahhh hell one more thing to remember on top of all the other myriad of medications we GSs must take while cycling.
My dear synthroid
It's a love hate relationship
So last Friday when our RE called with our first great beta results she informed me that "I have a very temperamental thyroid" and to go back to taking 25mcg of synthroid everyday. And guess what? Yesterday as I got the great second beta report the nurse tells me to jack up the synthroid (my words not hers:)) to 50mcg again. So here is my gripe...I have no side effects what so ever from taking synthroid. Actually I noticed almost immediately that I felt more alert and that I can actually mentally focus on a task for more then a few minutes without giving up. It's amazing how helping my son with his homework was such a chore for me just a few months ago and now it's a no brainer, amazing the power of hormones!. So here is the catch...synthroid must be taken in the morning as it acts sort of like a stimulant. After I take it I must wait a least one hour before eating, not a huge big deal just annoying so as not to effect the absorption. So what erks me to no end...because of my frequent senior moments I have to wait four hours to take any of my medications even vitamins. For some reason this is such a struggle for me to remember....so here is what happened this weekend...
After living in GA for three years I decided that we should visit the Atlanta Zoo over the Labor Day weekend! So my husband and I our three kids and my husband's friend drove 45 minutes to the zoo and as we pull-up I realized that I forgot to bring my estrace, prenatal vitamin and asprin..pull hair! No scream!! I had packed them in my purse since I still had another hour plus before I could take them, I blame the synthroid! So clearly I was not of sound mind, I choose to leave my purse at home so I would not have to lug it around. Seemed sensible at the time! So as Napoleon Dynamite would say "you Idiot!!" Not only would I have to bare another 1.5 hours of driving again but I would also miss my three year olds first trip to the zoo...well the first hour and a half. Add to that the feeling of being completely irresponsible too. I'm officially pregnant with my IFs child and these meds. are critical to keeping this little soul alive and well. So I had a senior moment it happens right? Praying that this will be the last at least as far as remembering my meds.
So your probably wondering where the sad news falls into all of this. Well last month my 14 year old daughter's best friend's mother told me over the phone that her husband was very sick...stage four cancer sick. My heart just sank and yes I was flipping speechless. Just did not know what to say...so now over the weekend we find out that her father passed away. Every time I try to discuss this with my daughter or think about a 14 year old losing her parent and so quickly I tear up and my throat gets so tight it feels like a massive lump is stuck in there. I really have very bad coping skills when it comes to death period. I have always envied people who were able to "celebrate" rather then just mourn the loss of a loved one. In this case I'm having a very difficult time wrapping my brain around a child just beginning high school and becoming a young women during what should be some the most memorable time in her life now having to cope with losing a parent when I still have both of mine at 40! So deep breath......trying not to cry right now...the good news is she was at school today and my daughter said she was so strong and was in good spirits, at least the best as one could be in given the grave circumstances. So night times are the hardest for me since my thoughts tend to wander...just trying to think happy thoughts as I know stress is not what my body needs...
My daughter Julia and her best friend Nicole...just adore her! Praying for her and her family
Taken last week
So on a lighter note, cheers to my IFs and to a wonderful and hopefully uneventful pregnancy and journey.
What a lovely beta!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your daughter's friend. I'll light a candle today. I'm glad you can help support her during this time. I lost my mom at age 17 and it's tough stuff, I can't image if I were 14.