After being sick with a buffet of illnesses for almost two weeks straight, I'm proud to say that I am back walking amongst the living once more. It started on New Years, when I started feeling the first effects of my husband's cold. Monitoring Matt, I figured I'd be out for about a week. Yuck. I pulled through it, with much of Matt's help and finally started to feel better almost a week later. I felt well for two whole days. Then the sinus infection set in. A BAD one. I'm used to getting sinus infections, as I've always had sinus issues all my life, but this one was the worst I've ever had. It's around this time we realized that Matt, who never fully stopped feeling the effects of his cold, ended up with pink eye. Thankful, I recognized it right away, since I had it before. We had to sacrifice one of his personal days (meant for when Drew comes) in order for him to go to the doctor and to wait out his contagious period while I spent the day Lysoling the house. Thankfully, Robby and I were spared pink eye, but Robby did end up with a slight cold. All during this, I still wasn't getting any better. Ever day was the same thing over and over again. I really started to get depressed. I know that sounds silly, but when you're down long enough, it really starts to get to you - especially when you watch your housework and everyday life pile up around you. After almost two weeks of being sick, I noticed my ear started to feel "weird". I figured it was just junk in my eustachian tubes from my cold and infection, so I tried to gently pop my ears. Bad idea. As soon as I did it, I regretted it. My left ear popped, started hurting, swelling, and draining pus and blood, and my hearing went muffled and started ringing. I wanted to cry. I finally broke down and went to the doctor the next day. The doctor told me I had a very bad ear infection caused by a very bad sinus infection. I practically begged him to give me...something...to help. "I'm so tired of being sick," I told him. I was worried that they wouldn't be able to give me anything because I was pregnant, but thankfully he was able to prescribe amoxicillin. After two doses, I felt the best I had felt in two weeks! Hoorah! So, a current update on all of us: Matt is almost done with his drops and hasn't had any issues since he was first "diagnosed". He still is coughing from his cold, but is pretty much over it. Rob is hard to peg, since he never truly reveals whether he is sick or how bad. His runny nose seems to have cleared up and he seems to be acting more himself, so I assume he's over it, too. As for me, I feel great, but I'm still having issues with my hearing. I can definitely feel the effects of being sick for so long on my body. I still feel quite weak and have a hard time getting around without wearing out. Matt has been an immense godsend this whole time! I don't know what I would have done without him. This definitely has been a big lesson in pride and a test of faith. Hopefully, Lord willing, we're done with our ailments for awhile!After having to reschedule my last doctor appointment, I finally went in today for a checkup and glucose test (for gestational diabetes). What a run-around that was. My OB's phlebotomist was gone today, so they had to send me downstairs to the hospital's lab instead. I was supposed to drink the glucose drink at 9:50 and get my blood drawn at 10:50. I sat and waiting for an hour in my OB's waiting room, watching the time tick closer to 10:50. Finally, I found out that my OB was busy doing a c-section. That gave me five minutes or less to have my usual checkup and get downstairs to have my blood drawn. Thankfully, my doctor was quick and I was on my way (further update below). I got to the lab, handed the receptionist my paperwork, and waited...for another hour. Finally, at 11:50, I told the receptionist, "My glucose test was supposed to be an hour test and it's almost been two hours. I'm thinking it's not going to be effective anymore." Her eyes got big and she said, "Oh no! We thought the time written on your paperwork was the time you drank the glucose drink, not when you needed your blood drawn!" My OB's receptionist hadn't specified what the time was referring to! My hunch was right and the test was no longer effective. I now have to go back and do it all over again within the next two days. Slightly frustrating, but all parties involved were having an off day, so I really have no right to be mad at them. Just feeling inconvenienced, but such is life. As for my actual check up, my blood pressure was the lowest it's been my whole pregnancy. My iron was just a touch low, but we assume it's because I was so sick for so long. Nothing to worry about. My belly measured well and the doctor was pleased with his heartrate and activeness. I asked more about our inevitable c-section, since we're trying to "plan" it around Matt's vacation so he can be here to help me. The doctor told me that it was still too soon to schedule, but if my blood pressure stays low, I'll probably be scheduled on April 2nd. If for some reason my blood pressure sky-rockets, I'll be scheduled either March 29th or 30th. Either way, it will be happening that week - unless I go into labor early. Let's hope that doesn't happen, shall we? Things seem to be moving right along and we're getting closer and closer. Matt and I are starting to get rather excited, now. We can't wait to hold a little one again! My next appointment (aside from my glucose test) is Thursday the 28th of January. We'll have a regular checkup and another ultrasound. Not only is this also Matt's birthday, but it's also the week of his vacation, so he'll be able to come to the ultrasound, too. Nice birthday present!
That brings you up to speed. We covet your prayers for us not only for a continued healthy pregnancy, but also for continued recovery of our sicknesses. Hopefully we are on a healthy trend for awhile!
