Tuesday, July 31, 2007

I'm A Mess

We had a bad scare a few weeks ago. I had initially started to write a huge, detailed post about it, but about halfway through, I was like, "Crap, I don't even want to think about this hard enough to write about it." I'll give you a synopsis now, though.

Three Sundays ago I was canning jalapenos from our garden and I decided to take a break and put my feet up for a few minutes while the jars where processing. I hadn't been sitting more than a minute when suddenly--and I mean out of nowhere--I felt horrible. I had terrible pressure in my belly and I was sweaty and nauseous. Every second it got worse, so Tom took me to L & D. It was a terrifying ride there--not just because we where panicking and running red lights in mid-day traffic--but because we were automatically taken back to the night Nate was born. I was in so much pain, but the worst part was just the horrible, blinding fear. The pressure and the nausea... it was like I was abrupting again. Why didn't I have tests done? Why did I just trust my doctor? I had just finished his quilt that morning and I was so proud of it. I laid it out so that I could look at it every time I walked by. What was wrong with me? Why does my body do this to my babies?! The only thing that was different about this time was that I wasn't bleeding.

The nurses at L & D hooked me up to the monitor and found his heartbeat right away. I just knew that it would be in the 40's, like Nate's, but it was good and strong in the 150's. Okay, he was fine, but I was getting worse and worse--sweaty and writhing around--the nurses didn't really know what to do with me. And then I threw up. Magically, all the pain and pressure had vanished. I felt great. I was ready to go home. But we had a day of tests and ultrasounds ahead of us.

And do you know what? I have gallstones. Tons of them. They're going to try to wait to take my gall bladder out until the boy is born, unless things are just too bad to tolerate. I didn't have another attack until two weeks after the first awful one, but this time I had three in two days. And one of them was even worse than the very first one. Now that we knew what was going on, we weren't nearly as terrified. You know, they tell you all about constipation when you're pregnant, but I had never heard that pregnancy causes your bile to turn to sludge and fills you with stones. Great. I thought old people got gallstones. Now that it's happened, hardly anyone I've talked to even has their gall bladder anymore. And they're around my age. What a crappy, useless organ. I've already had my tonsils out--I'll just get rid of all my useless organs.

I DO NOT want surgery when I'm pregnant. Laproscopy or otherwise. That scares the shit out of me. The only surgery I want is the one where they are actually going in to get him. So in the meantime, what do I do? I'm afraid to eat. I've cut out all dairy now, because I wonder if that's what set off the three attacks last weekend. They told me not to eat fatty and spicy. So, what? No KFC? I'm afraid to eat anything with any fat in it. I'm hungry. We're hungry! I am eating, though, don't worry. Just lots of fruit and veggies and plain pasta. No red meat, only baked chicken and turkey breasts. Boca burgers. Cereal with soy milk. I guess what I'm wondering is-- has anyone had their gallbladder out during pregnancy? I know that it is a very common surgery during pregnancy, but I don't know anyone whose had it done. I would totally put up with the pain of the attacks if I knew for sure and for certain that it was just me it was effecting. I worry about the stress and pain of it to cause premature labor, I'm worried about my gallbladder rupturing, I worry about pancreatitis. I've only got 10 weeks left! I want to stick it out so badly, but I'm just so terrified that he's going to get hurt.

Next week is my glucose tolerance test. Wouldn't that just be a kick in the ass if I ended up with GD, too? Hilarious. This pregnancy was scary enough in the first place. I shouldn't have to deal with bullshit of any kind this time around. But I have to keep reminding myself--when we left L & D that day, I did not expect to be leaving with my baby. But I did. He's just fine.

16 comments:

niobe said...

How absolutely terrifying. It must have seemed like a nightmare, you were reliving your worst memory. I'm so glad that the baby turned out to be okay.

I'm sorry, though, about your gallstones. I agree: what's the point of the gallbladder anyway, except, apparently, to cause trouble?

Kathy McC said...

Oh, Laura, I am so sorry for your terrifying experience. Not to mention painful. I had my gallbladder removed after Aaron because he caused me to start having horrible gallbladder attacks. By 2004 it was absolutely awful. I haven't had a problem since I had it out.

I am glad that's all it is...even though it sucks. I hope it calms down so that you can get through that pregnancy without surgery.

The good news is that the surgery isn't too bad and you'll feel yourself again after about a week.

(((hugs)))

Catherine said...

I started having gall bladder trouble after Travis and was just on the verge of begging for removal when I found out I was pregnant with this one. I feel your pain (quite literally). No advice...just sympathy.

Emmakirst said...

How scary, I especially with what happened with Nate.

I had unfortunately had gallstones with my 3rd baby, it was awful, I was 7 months when they discovered them, I basically just ate rice krispies and skim milk, lost some weight, but was terrified to have another attack.

Good luck!

Mrs Macgyver said...

So much for the 'free-ride' or easy pregnancy of a sub-baby. It's not fair that you have to go through even more stress and worry.

But wow, only ten more weeks! By this stage in my pregnancy with Li'l Miss, I was counting days...

Kim said...

I am so sorry for your scare! I have never heard of this being a problem for pregnant women until the last two weeks, and I've heard of one other pregnant woman and you having this issue. I don't really have any advice, but I am so sorry you have been sick.

delphi said...

Exactly the same with my gallbladder attack. Threw up then felt normal again.

Holy crap, though, I can't even imagine having an attack while pregnant and maintaining my sanity. I am sorry that you have the possibility of more attacks to "look forward" to.

NON FAT DIET!!!! Make your doctor send you to a dietician to work it all out. I think what you are eating is perfect, it's what my doctor told me to eat. And I would want to do the same as you - wait until the baby is here safe and sound to do the surgery.

I hope you are okay now, physically.

kate said...

ugh! no advice, just sorry you have to go through this!

missing_one said...

How scary!!!
I had mine out when I was 19.
Apple juice is supposed to help..maybe the less sugary kind?
Other than that, fats and high concentrated proteins irritated me the most.
You can do it!! 10 more weeks!

MB said...

Well, that right out sucks. I can't add anything, as this is something I haven't experienced, but I know people who have. I know one in particular who had a pretty nasty case and many, many attacks during her pregnancy. She made it thru and had surgery after her son was born. Hang in there...

Mrs. Collins said...

How awful! This is truly a test of your strength. A test no doubt you wish you didn't have to take. Hang in there, you are almost there. I'll be sending you my thoughts.

Anna said...

Lurker in to say I had gallstones and GD when I was pg with Andrew. NOT FUN. I only gained 3 lbs the whole pregnancy. Couldn't eat a thing. The attacks were worse than labor for me. I am SO sorry you're going through this, after everything...I had the surgery when Andrew was 6 weeks old and was fine the next day. A little sore, but fine. I really hope you don't have the GD. Just watch your greasy, fatty foods (the good stuff) and you should be OK! (((hugs)))

Aurelia said...

Laura, this post had me gripping the sides of my chair!

I'm sorry about the gallstones, and I second the idea of being sent to a dietician to figure out what to eat. Ummm, and ask your doctor about getting your gallstones treated with ultrasound. I'm don't know if they can do it while you are pregnant, but it's non-surgical. They basically disintegrate them with ultrasound waves. (higher frequency than they use for babies, different thing.)

Anyway, it might help? Hope this holds off until after the baby comes.

laura said...

How terrifying and horrible! I'm so sorry. But I'm glad the pregnancy is progressing so well, and I personally thought the idea of the Dressy Bessy uterus was f'ing hysterical!

Brenda said...

God Im so happy to read that all is ok. I can only imagine how scared you both must have been.

Hugs
xxx

Kendra's mom said...

Sorry I don't have any advice, just wanted to let you know I am thinking about you. I hope with all my heart that things go well.