Lurking a bit over the past days as I've been busy with family, but just wanted to put my T&P out there for everyone who is going through a rough time or having scares with their babies.
I had an appointment today and I'm in the clear for GD...woo! But my iron levels came back super low so I'm on a supplement now. Hoping it works quickly. I feel like it explains my overall tiredness and glum mood lately based on the last time I tested anemic. Anyone else in the same boat?
Thank you to everyone for the condolences on my pup. I read them with tears in my eyes. I woke up knowing today will be a bit easier and so will the days to come!
WOW! I have been dealing with sick DD so I will try to catch up when I can. Is there a cliff notes for the first 6 pages!!
Turns out what I thought was croup was actually Influenza A, so we have been up every 3 hours the past 2 nights with DD trying to control the fever and stay on top of medicine, not to mention meds and breathing treatments during the day. She got her flu shot in september, so the pediatrician said that her case should be more mild.... If this is mild I don't know that I would survive the full blown 3 year old flu!! She's finally starting to feel better! It has been breaking my heart to see her so sick!
@OmegaRose3 - I have low iron levels too although mine were just below the threshold. Even then I have been feeling exhausted lately and I had thought it might be my thyroid levels but those kept coming back normal so low iron explains it. I also compared my results with those from early in pregnancy and it's interesting to see how much they dipped.
Me: 38 DH: 36 Married 8/27/2011 BFP #1 9/28/2011 DS born 5/22/2012 BFP #2 4/24/2013 m/c 4/25/2013 at 4w BFP #3 1/31/2014 DD born 10/14/2014 BFP #4 1/20/2016 m/c 2/12/2014 at 7w2d BFP #5 8/19/2016 DS2 born 4/29/2017 BFP #6 3/7/2018 EDD 11/18/2018
TLDR; DS had a EEG and I just rambled about the possibility of ASD.
I had a crazy day yesterday, the developmental neurologist wanted DS to come in for a EEG yesterday to rule out seizures for this head shake thing he does. I could have done it after his Thursday appointment but it takes FOREVER to get into this doctor (we had a short 6 week wait because we snuck into a cancellation slot) and I just want to try and get answers as soon as I can. His big IFSP meeting is in May (4 days after my EDD) and if it turns out he is on the spectrum he will be an auto qualify for additional services. I'm not 100% sure how I feel about ASD being a possibility, his case worker feels he would fall on the higher end of the spectrum, but all of his ECI therapists and even the pediatrician seem to think that he does have a sensory processing disorder. Since SPD isn't typically recognized without something like ASD it would make it harder to get him the services he would need. Anyways I honestly just felt like I needed to get a lot of that off my chest, so thanks for sticking around this long if you have.
@chickyclg An ASD diagnosis isn't a bad thing! If he is qualified for more services, that's a good thing! Especially down the road when it becomes more difficult to show that he may meet the diagnosis for services. At least in New York, it's hard to get into that system so early identification can be super helpful! Hopefully you can get the SPD services that he needs!
@Jens_Hoes I'm good! Chemo went well this time and symptoms have been pretty minimal - I'm mostly just tired. My computer died over the weekend and I hate mobile bumping so I've mostly been lurking. Now that I'm back at work I'll try to check in more.
@absbubbs I've always been able to take my medications for any type of testing, which is why I ended up messaging my doctor and her nurse replied. The other nurse I saw was for one of the other doctors that I had to meet in case mine isn't available if I go into labor on a weekend that she's no on call. The nurse sort of hesitated when I asked about my meds then said no, prompting me to email my doctor just to double check. Thank you for the reassurance! Hope you start feeling better too with the whole feeling so full!
I thought I saw someone mention eating soup and that helping...I was eating a lot of soup and then went to sandwiches because they sounded good! I'm thinking I'll try soup again!
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin
@chickyclg That sounds really difficult. I hope you have some answers soon. Can I ask you about the head shake? What does it look like and how often? DS has done a head shake thing for quiet a while now and I plan to ask the dr at his next appointment. We previously assumed it was something he does out of frustration (he doesn't speak), but it seems to be getting more frequent. My mom has epilepsy (late onset due to a head injury) and I think I have been trying to down play the shake in DS because the events leading to my mom's diagnosis were rather traumatic. Just wondered if the shake was similar to what DS does.
Thanks @Jens_Hoes I'm definitely in the mindset that's it won't be the end of the world, I think the possibility of him struggling later on is what kind of gets me. I was told for speech services that we shouldn't expect him to qualify since at the time he was under 2, but he ended up qualifying at 15 months. Tx sucks for a lot of SPED things (I say this as a future SPED teacher) so it would just mean really making sure we stay on top of a bunch of things.
@Jens_Hoes I've got two more rounds of this type of chemo (3/7 and 3/28, assuming all goes well) and then I get a month off to recover. After that I'll have a mastectomy the last week in April and then they'll leave me alone until I deliver (due date is 5/27 and they seem to think I'll have no issues making it to full term). Then I'll have four weeks to focus on baby before they start a different kind of chemo, which I'll have every two weeks for eight weeks total. Then I'll have radiation daily, five days a week, for around six weeks. Then I'll be on a daily hormone therapy pill for 10 years. Somewhere in there I'll have breast reconstruction too.
However, all of this could change based on how I respond to chemo and what they find when do the mastectomy - such as how much the tumor has shrunk, how many lymph nodes its in, and if they find cancer anywhere else in my body. So really I'm trying to focus on what I'm doing now, since it's hard to plan for what might be happening/how long treatment may last since we just don't know definitively what's happening in my body and won't until we do the mastectomy.
@chickyclg sending hugs your way as well. I know you know this, but keep in mind a label of ASD is just a label - it doesn't change who your DS is or the challenges OR strengths you already know he has. If it opens up additional services for him, that's a good thing! But I completely recognize it's probably a hard thing to wrap your head around. Here's hoping this just means he gets a ton of services early on (it sounds like he already is!) which has been shown to have a huge positive long-term impact.
@RainyDays86 , I'm so happy to hear that you are doing well (minus the tiredness)...I've been thinking a lot about you and hoping things are ok!
@chickyclg , it definitely sounds like what you are dealing with is emotionally taxing. I agree with PP that more help is best as early as possible--early intervention has shown to have hugely positive impacts on children's futures. Vent away...the board is a great space to get out your frustrations and emotions!
@Jens_Hoes , meant to tag you before submitting my last comment...good luck with your court appearance! That sounds stressful, but at least you have a little getaway to look forward to.
@RainyDays86 What a schedule you have coming up. Thinking of you and wishing you an uneventful L&D amid the storm.
@chickyclg Huge hugs. Navigating a fragmented health/therapy system is something I have little experience with (though I anticipate a lot for our future) but I have good friends who know that struggle. Hope things are clearer soon, your kiddo gets as much support as possible, and your mama brain can find some peace in life of that.
@chickyclg I know it's easy for us to stay ASD isn't a bad diagnosis if it can't get his services, and give your family peace of mind of knowing what's going on better, but from an outsider's perspective that seems so. I'm sure it's very hard going through this with such little ones, and while pregnant! You're a rockstar mom for making it all happen, don't forget to give yourself credit. I hope that the coming appointments prove to be more beneficial than saddening. Thinking about you!
@RainyDays86 Good to hear from you! It sounds like you have a great team that has set out a great plan for you. I hope everything continues to goes as well as it has been so far. Your positive attitude is truly an inspiration.
@Louise_Belcher basically he randomly starts shaking his head very violently and when he stops he generally makes this weird squinting face. He will do it very randomly but it is also something he does if he looks at bright objects. He did it in front of the pediatrician and after she checked him out she made the comment that it may be something he is getting sensory pleasure from similar to when kids spin around in circles and then suddenly stop, but we needed to rule out seizures. Originally we were just going to go to a standard neurologist, but he failed his MCHAT pretty badly and with the notes from ECI she said let's have the developmental Neuro look at him.
@chickyclg hoping everything goes great with the appointment! I kinda know how you feel a little bit. I finally got younger daughter scheduled with a developmental pediatrician for May! (Hopefully they will be able to get us in earlier with a cancellation, they seemed to thing that was the usual rather than the exception.). She's already in therapy, and has qualified for the early intervention program in our state. (Although the evaluator kept saying that kids as young as her NEVER qualify based on a speech delay. She did.). It's a bit of a toss up, because on the one hand you know all of the struggles that they will have if they do have ASD, but on the other hand it would be nice to have a little more clarity on what is going on and direction with helping them! Big hugs, and hoping everything goes smoothly!
As an aside to everyone, this is actually a time when a baby book comes in SUPER handy!! I know some people don't do them. But right now I'm having to fill out all this paperwork about daughter's development, and I would have no clue what age she rolled over/sit up/did whatever without this book! So, I would reccomend that everyone do a baby book for their little one, because it can come in really handy!!
Well, bummer. I am going to take my glucose test tomorrow, so I called my OBGYN office to see if they have specific requirements about eating beforehand. The nurse said no eating or drinking after midnight. I really hate skipping my normal mealtimes, it tends to make me feel weak/dizzy. Plus, I'm kind of worried that sugary drink on an empty stomach is going to mess with me.
@Squirtgun That's a good reason for keeping a baby book that I hadn't though about. I may have to pick one up after all.
@chickyclg Thinking of you and your DS as you navigate all these upcoming appointments/diagnosis. I just want to second/third/fourth how beneficial it will be for him to have an early diagnosis and intervention. SPED services are becoming so much more readily available and making huge impacts! How wonderful it is for your DS to have such a great advocate of a mom behind him!
Married 03.09.09 Sweet Baby H 12.21.11 Sassy Baby P 03.26.14 Little Brother Due 05.22.17
@starphish18 Regarding baby Books, I make my own using Mixbook online! I keep track of milestones on a note in my phone because let's be honest, I always have my phone with me so it was easy for me to make a note of it with the date! Then I can work on the babybook a little at a time.
Married 03.09.09 Sweet Baby H 12.21.11 Sassy Baby P 03.26.14 Little Brother Due 05.22.17
@starphish18 someone had mentioned some apps that they like to use if you want to go that route. The ones I remember, because I downloaded them to check them out, are The Wonder Weeks and Baby Tracker.
I think we have a baby book that my MIL got us a long time ago (she's been asking for babies since we started dating :O )! I just need to find it...maybe I'll come across it when we unpack once we move...or she'll get us another one haha
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin
Okay STM need some help. Not sure if this deserves it's own thread or not...but what questions/suggestion do you have when picking out daycare's? Peanut will be going to daycare once I head back to work (at about 11 weeks) so curious what questions you all thing are important to ask...
@chickyclg - Just here to offer support. DS has a developmental delay and I often worry about how school will be for him. He is currently in preschool and I worry that at some point he will start to feel like a dumb kid in class and just thinking of that breaks my heart. We have gotten him in OT and speech therapy to help and I really hope it makes the difference needed for him. Sending hugs! I know it's hard but it's so good that your DS is getting diagnosed early so that he can receive as much help as possible early on. FX for a good upcoming appointment.
@starphish18 - Kohl's has good books that are about as they are at other stores price-wise but if you have discounts then you end up paying a lot less.
I have done a baby book with both kids and especially now that time has passed and we are onto #3, I have found them extremely helpful in looking back and remembering specific milestones, stats, etc. It's amazing how one can think that you'll remember everything but then it doesn't happen. There were specifics about DD's pregnancy that I thought were different until I went back and looked at the baby book and it set me straight. Plus I love that they will always have that information for when they have their own kids.
Me: 38 DH: 36 Married 8/27/2011 BFP #1 9/28/2011 DS born 5/22/2012 BFP #2 4/24/2013 m/c 4/25/2013 at 4w BFP #3 1/31/2014 DD born 10/14/2014 BFP #4 1/20/2016 m/c 2/12/2014 at 7w2d BFP #5 8/19/2016 DS2 born 4/29/2017 BFP #6 3/7/2018 EDD 11/18/2018
You guys I officially have senioritis. I realized today that after this week I only have six weeks left of work, maybe ever. The original plan was for me to SAH after this baby is born so I was going to work until like May 19th (due date May 27). However, now I'm only planning on working until my mastectomy which is approximately 8 weeks away. And I'll be taking two weeks off between now and then for chemo. So six weeks. 30 days. I have struggled with productivity anyway this pregnancy but man is it hard to get stuff done now knowing the end is so so so close.
Dumb question time: everyone talks about the pad-cicles post partum. How do you wear them? Do they stay absorbent for blood despite whatever it is that makes them cold/soothing? Do you wear them under a pad? I'm struggling to understand the logistics of all the things that need to fit between my lady bits and my pants!
Re: Randoms and Questions 2.20 - 2.24
I had an appointment today and I'm in the clear for GD...woo! But my iron levels came back super low so I'm on a supplement now. Hoping it works quickly. I feel like it explains my overall tiredness and glum mood lately based on the last time I tested anemic. Anyone else in the same boat?
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1/7/2015 Twins born @ 34 weeks
Turns out what I thought was croup was actually Influenza A, so we have been up every 3 hours the past 2 nights with DD trying to control the fever and stay on top of medicine, not to mention meds and breathing treatments during the day. She got her flu shot in september, so the pediatrician said that her case should be more mild.... If this is mild I don't know that I would survive the full blown 3 year old flu!! She's finally starting to feel better! It has been breaking my heart to see her so sick!
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Married 8/27/2011
BFP #1 9/28/2011 DS born 5/22/2012
BFP #2 4/24/2013 m/c 4/25/2013 at 4w
BFP #3 1/31/2014 DD born 10/14/2014
BFP #4 1/20/2016 m/c 2/12/2014 at 7w2d
BFP #5 8/19/2016 DS2 born 4/29/2017
BFP #6 3/7/2018 EDD 11/18/2018
1/7/2015 Twins born @ 34 weeks
I had a crazy day yesterday, the developmental neurologist wanted DS to come in for a EEG yesterday to rule out seizures for this head shake thing he does. I could have done it after his Thursday appointment but it takes FOREVER to get into this doctor (we had a short 6 week wait because we snuck into a cancellation slot) and I just want to try and get answers as soon as I can.
His big IFSP meeting is in May (4 days after my EDD) and if it turns out he is on the spectrum he will be an auto qualify for additional services. I'm not 100% sure how I feel about ASD being a possibility, his case worker feels he would fall on the higher end of the spectrum, but all of his ECI therapists and even the pediatrician seem to think that he does have a sensory processing disorder. Since SPD isn't typically recognized without something like ASD it would make it harder to get him the services he would need. Anyways I honestly just felt like I needed to get a lot of that off my chest, so thanks for sticking around this long if you have.
1/7/2015 Twins born @ 34 weeks
An ASD diagnosis isn't a bad thing! If he is qualified for more services, that's a good thing! Especially down the road when it becomes more difficult to show that he may meet the diagnosis for services. At least in New York, it's hard to get into that system so early identification can be super helpful!
Hopefully you can get the SPD services that he needs!
ugh, I feel your pain @lulubemadness!
I thought I saw someone mention eating soup and that helping...I was eating a lot of soup and then went to sandwiches because they sounded good! I'm thinking I'll try soup again!
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin
DS2 5/17
#3 Due 9/20
How much longer of chemo do you have before they give you a break?
1/7/2015 Twins born @ 34 weeks
However, all of this could change based on how I respond to chemo and what they find when do the mastectomy - such as how much the tumor has shrunk, how many lymph nodes its in, and if they find cancer anywhere else in my body. So really I'm trying to focus on what I'm doing now, since it's hard to plan for what might be happening/how long treatment may last since we just don't know definitively what's happening in my body and won't until we do the mastectomy.
@chickyclg , it definitely sounds like what you are dealing with is emotionally taxing. I agree with PP that more help is best as early as possible--early intervention has shown to have hugely positive impacts on children's futures. Vent away...the board is a great space to get out your frustrations and emotions!
@chickyclg Huge hugs. Navigating a fragmented health/therapy system is something I have little experience with (though I anticipate a lot for our future) but I have good friends who know that struggle. Hope things are clearer soon, your kiddo gets as much support as possible, and your mama brain can find some peace in life of that.
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1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
@RainyDays86 Good to hear from you! It sounds like you have a great team that has set out a great plan for you. I hope everything continues to goes as well as it has been so far. Your positive attitude is truly an inspiration.
1/7/2015 Twins born @ 34 weeks
She's already in therapy, and has qualified for the early intervention program in our state. (Although the evaluator kept saying that kids as young as her NEVER qualify based on a speech delay. She did.).
It's a bit of a toss up, because on the one hand you know all of the struggles that they will have if they do have ASD, but on the other hand it would be nice to have a little more clarity on what is going on and direction with helping them!
Big hugs, and hoping everything goes smoothly!
As an aside to everyone, this is actually a time when a baby book comes in SUPER handy!! I know some people don't do them. But right now I'm having to fill out all this paperwork about daughter's development, and I would have no clue what age she rolled over/sit up/did whatever without this book! So, I would reccomend that everyone do a baby book for their little one, because it can come in really handy!!
@Squirtgun That's a good reason for keeping a baby book that I hadn't though about. I may have to pick one up after all.
Sweet Baby H 12.21.11
Sassy Baby P 03.26.14
Little Brother Due 05.22.17
Sweet Baby H 12.21.11
Sassy Baby P 03.26.14
Little Brother Due 05.22.17
1/7/2015 Twins born @ 34 weeks
I think we have a baby book that my MIL got us a long time ago (she's been asking for babies since we started dating :O )! I just need to find it...maybe I'll come across it when we unpack once we move...or she'll get us another one haha
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
@starphish18 - Kohl's has good books that are about as they are at other stores price-wise but if you have discounts then you end up paying a lot less.
I have done a baby book with both kids and especially now that time has passed and we are onto #3, I have found them extremely helpful in looking back and remembering specific milestones, stats, etc. It's amazing how one can think that you'll remember everything but then it doesn't happen. There were specifics about DD's pregnancy that I thought were different until I went back and looked at the baby book and it set me straight. Plus I love that they will always have that information for when they have their own kids.
Married 8/27/2011
BFP #1 9/28/2011 DS born 5/22/2012
BFP #2 4/24/2013 m/c 4/25/2013 at 4w
BFP #3 1/31/2014 DD born 10/14/2014
BFP #4 1/20/2016 m/c 2/12/2014 at 7w2d
BFP #5 8/19/2016 DS2 born 4/29/2017
BFP #6 3/7/2018 EDD 11/18/2018
Sweet Baby H 12.21.11
Sassy Baby P 03.26.14
Little Brother Due 05.22.17
You guys I officially have senioritis. I realized today that after this week I only have six weeks left of work, maybe ever. The original plan was for me to SAH after this baby is born so I was going to work until like May 19th (due date May 27). However, now I'm only planning on working until my mastectomy which is approximately 8 weeks away. And I'll be taking two weeks off between now and then for chemo. So six weeks. 30 days. I have struggled with productivity anyway this pregnancy but man is it hard to get stuff done now knowing the end is so so so close.