Ah, push it!

The past couple weeks have been a little crazy, but when it comes down to it, things are going pretty well.

-We traded our last two Hamburg pullets for a Light Sussex pullet and a Barnevelder pullet.  (Interestingly, we sold Light Bulb to the same man a couple months ago, and recognized him when we got there.)  They were a little younger than I expected at around 10 weeks, and they were pecked pretty badly.  They looked healthy aside from the pecking, so I decided to go ahead with it.  We explained to the breeder that the chicks likely needed more protein and something to keep them busy if they're going to be caged.  Hopefully it will help, but who knows.

Obviously his chickens aren't pets, they're livestock.  I get that, but it really has to be uncomfortable and itchy to get plucked and try to regrow feathers.  We took the chicks home, gave them some probiotics and electrolytes in their water, and coated their naked backs with Rooster Booster Pick No More Lotion.  They perked up and have been singing contentedly ever since.  We've had them for a week, and they are growing back their feathers.  Hopefully they can go outside around the same time as our silkies, which should be in the next couple of weeks.

-I got my neurology appointment taken care of.  I've been putting off the appointment for awhile because I needed my perinatology report.  I saw the doctor's assistant this time, since I can get in next day compared to a two month wait.  She gave me a big hug and congratulated me on the pregnancy.  We went over the report, discussed our options, and she's going to schedule IVIG for this week or next.  We're going to try a different formulation and additional fluids to see if that helps with the side effects.  I am praying that my liver enzymes do not spike like they did last time.  IVIG is the safest option right now for baby and I, even though it isn't the most convenient or comfortable.  I'm also praying that the side effects are not as bad as last time, since the infusion nurses will be less inclined to treat the side effects aggressively.

-My doctors are all on board with a VBAC this time 'round.  If I'm feeling good, there is no reason that I can't try, and I am a good candidate for a VBAC.  Obviously, if I'm spasming and walking like Quasimodo, I realize that I won't be effective at pushing.  Nobody is concerned about macrosomia, either. (Macrosomia is defined as a baby bigger than 8.8 or 9 lbs, depending on the source. Emma was 9.9lbs at 39 weeks.)  I'm tall, I'm not a little thing, and there is no worry that my pelvis is too small.  Fat smushes, anyways.

- Emma's curriculum and supplies have shipped!  We should be getting over 70 lbs of goods this Friday, and then we can jump head first into Kindergarten!  Emma is very excited, and can't wait.  The first field trip is on the 9th at Sutter's Fort, and we're planning on going.  It's been a couple years since she's been, and she'll get more out of it this time.

We also set up a nice little learning area in the garage.  Adam found an old school desk on Craigslist, and we set up bookshelves with Mom's giant book stash.  She's got a rolling container for supplies, and we just need to find space for books and manipulatives.  We probably won't work in there all of the time, but it is nice to have a dedicated area for supplies and quiet time.


-We're going to set up an ultrasound for the end of next month.  Emma has been bummed to not be able to come to the OB appointments with me.  I've already had to ultrasounds, but at the end of September the baby will be developed enough to tell the sex.  We are thinking the baby is a girl, but it'll be nice to know.  I volunteered to not find out this time, but Adam and Emma really want to know. :)

wishing I was knee deep in the water somewhere...

Things have been changing since I last posted.  Some for the better, some not.  Getting pregnant within three weeks of the loss of Avalon has been, to say the least, difficult.  It is hard to get excited like I was when I was pregnant with Emma.  Somehow through the pain and exhaustion from dealing with hyperemesis gravidarium, I still felt so close to her.  I was excited and could not wait to hold her.  I love this baby - I do.  I just think that the happy kittens and rainbow minutes will be here when the baby is finally in my arms.

I've been trying get by without medication or with very little, and that is physically and emotionally very difficult.  It is hard to go back to the constant stiffness, the posture of Quasi Modo, and the pain.  It reminds me that I am stuck with this.  That I don't know where I'll be 10 or 20 years for now.  That I pray every night for some kind of breakthrough or cure.  

So far my OB has been great.  She sent me to a perinatologist to discuss my medication and treatment, and he gave me several options.  He was very concerned about me having a fall, since SPS can cause you to fall like "a tin soldier."  The perinatologist said that IVIG is fine as well, as long as my liver can take it.  He also was very supporting of me having a VBAC.  He saw no issues about me planning for a VBAC, but leaving the option of a c-section open if I have a flare-up.

I've started back on steriods because they are of the lowest risk to the baby at this point.  I don't like steroids.  Steroids make me feel like crap.  Normally I get insomnia and ache all over.  Being pregnant, I am incredibly exhausted, achy, and get up to go pee every hour on the the hour when I try to sleep.  I wake up dehydrated and spend the day trying to get rehydrated again.  Then we start another day.

I see my OB tomorrow, and hopefully I can get a copy of the perinatology report to bring to my neurologist's office.  I'm hoping for another ultrasound tomorrow.  The doctor mentioned that she'd probably do a quick scan at 12 weeks.  I'd like to see where the placenta is positioned this time.  Last time it was anterior, and that caused Emma to sit posterior, or "sunny side up."  Posterior positioning makes trip through the birth canal much more difficult, though it can be done. 

We've had a few little family emergencies in the past couple weeks...and I need a serious vacation.  Sing me away, Zac and Jimmy, sing me away.

 

Poke. Squish.

After a disappointing check up with my neurologist this past week, I gave Neurontin a go.  I tried. I really did.  Every time I'd take a pill, even at the very low dose I had been prescribed, I turned into a zombie.  I would get up, eat and maybe shower, go back to bed, and sleep until dinner.  Then I'd eat and go back to bed again.  After several days of this, I decided that I couldn't do it.  I also remembered why I stopped taking Neurontin last time - it made me so sleepy.  In combination with the benzos, muscle relaxers, pain medicine, it is just too much.  Sure, I can live, but that isn't exactly a life. 

Adam and I decided that I'd go in for another round of occipital nerve injections, and at the same time, talk to the nurse practitioner about resuming IVIG.  When she came in, she gave me a big hug and told me she was so sorry for all that we had been through.  She had been one of the first people to find out and congratulate us when we found out that we were pregnant back in May.

The neurology department almost never allows sales people, but by chance, a sales person came by a couple weeks ago with information about a newer formulation of gammaglobulin.  She handed me the drug pamphlet to look at, and it was for sub-q gammaglobulin.  I would actually prefer sub-q treatment as it splits the monthly dose into four weekly doses that are easier on the body. 

The NP is going to look into formulations, talk to a few people, and see if we can't try the sub-q or at least a different dosing method of IVIG.  While we don't have much clinical research to go off of, there is anecdotal evidence that splitting up the dose makes it much easier on the liver and kidneys.  We'll test right before the dose, and then a couple days after the dose to see if my liver enzymes spike again.  If my liver freaks out again, then we don't have many options left to pursue.  I don't smoke or drink, and only do prescription drugs...so killing my liver isn't exactly something I want to do at 28 years old.  I did feel better after IVIG, so it would be a major setback if that is the case. 

I got my occipital injections taken care of, at least.  The NP injects Lidocaine and a steroid near the occipital nerve at the base of my skull.  It sounds a lot worse that it actually is.  This time I was super tight and could hear it.  Eww.  I feel a little like a bobble head afterwards because of the Lidocaine. 

We would really appreciate any prayers.  Please pray that I am able to resume IVIG, that it is effective and the side effects are few, and that my liver handles the job without causing my liver enzymes to spike.  Please pray that we'll find a solution that helps me to get back to living a more normal life. Thank you to all who read and follow this blog, to those that help us out with babysitting while I'm at appointments, and everyone that prays or sends positive thoughts. 

Woohoo!

We now have half of our flock doing the squat.  :)  Can I warm up the skillet yet? 

Doin' the Squat!

Snowflake is doing the squat!  We're going to have eggs soon.  :)  When a pullet is getting close to laying, they'll squat down submissively if you reach out towards them.  They like their back pet and roughed up a little.  In reality, they want some.  Yep - naughty girls.  I think that over the next month we'll have most if not all of the girls laying.  Which reminds me...I need to get some new pictures of the girls in all of their moody, teenage glory.

So far the incubation is going well, too.  We installed a fan on the top of the incubator because forced air incubators generally have a better hatch rate.  The forced air ensures that the eggs get even heating, and that the corners of the incubator are warm as well.  In a couple days we should be able to see the beginnings of embryo growth by candling the eggs.  I'll be sure to post pictures when we get there.  Emma said we should give Grandma one for her birthday since they'll be hatching out a couple days before.  If all goes according to plan, we just might have to let her pick one out.