Tomorrow Is The Day
I have a doctor appointment tomorrow that I’ve been waiting for. Having just returned from a restful vacation it’s the last place a woman would wish to be. Nothing beats sitting naked with a scratchy gown covering your cold body as you wait…and wait in a pale yellow room for a rushed doctor.
Once it is your turn the routine is to shake hands, blurt out the “fines” and then hurriedly ask questions before the doctor asks me to put my legs into a pair of metal handles with pot-holders adorning them.
Can you guess which doctor I’m going to?
The reason I’m anxious about this appointment is because about a year ago when she asked if we were planning to have more children I had to explain to her I was unsure about the medical possibilities of that. It’s really just wrong that I would have to explain to my own doctor, that I’m unsure if it’s possible. Couldn’t one of the trauma surgeons from after the car accident have sent her a note, a letter, even a copy of my records?
Maybe they did but she still asked which ensued a discussion on what complications, or as she put it “challenges,” might occur. There are several foreseen issues - since they removed my spleen my platelet count as been high. It was extremely high right after the accident and I needed to take oral chemotherapy for a period of time while in the hospital, which brought the levels down to manageable, but left my hormones all out of whack.
Apparently during pregnancy if the mother has a high platelet count it can cause blood clots in the placenta and more importantly the umbilical cord. Strike one.
The other problem we know of is that I broke my pelvis and it was screwed back together. As most women know when you are pregnant your pelvic bones shift and open to allow the baby to be delivered. My orthopedic doctor already stated that a c-section would be required and I would possibly need to deliver early to avoid any problems with my own bone structure. Strike two.
These are foreseen challenges, which means there may be more arise as a pregnancy developed. The one thing we will not know until we actually try is IF I can get pregnant. What I mentioned above are after the fact. As we roll with life, nothing is guaranteed.
So last year at my annual exam we talked briefly about our intentions. My answer to her question was yes we would, but we are uncertain of when. Due to the frequent number of surgeries I’ve had since July 2004 (26 thus far and possibly one coming in December) there hasn’t been a 9 month window. Not only that but I feel I should allow a lot of the medications time to exit my system and work on being the healthiest I can.
I told her to give me another year and we’d go further with testing, discussing and planning. Tomorrow is that year mark and I’m sure the question will be asked again.
With all these issues my husband and I are unsure we should risk not only my health, but a babies life as well. We’ve spent a lot of time discussing different options and praying for guidance.
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Jeez.
Well, good luck tomorrow. Hopefully they will give you the news you’re hoping for. Maybe they can postpone surgeries until after you’ve tried for a while? Or delay the December one in the event you do succeed?
I’ll have a good thought for you. Take care.
Thanks SciFi Dad. The surgery is to reduce pain in my ankle from bone growth and was needed a month ago. I’ve been putting it off because December is a better time for me to be off work for several weeks.
We’ll discuss trying in the upcoming year tomorrow I guess…Thanks for the good thoughts though!
good luck tomorrow. it will happen - i can feel it.
Oh boy. I don’t even know what to say. Good luck tomorrow and here’s hoping the DR. sits down and listens to you. When you’re done with the appointment my advice is to go for some retail therapy. You’re getting work done on your ankle so you had better get some new shoes to pretty it up! Hugs.
Good luck. I’ll be thinking of you.
Best of luck to you. Being adopted myself, I know there’s always a great need for good homes for deserving kids, and all kids deserve a good home. If things don’t work out medically, perhaps you can open your hearts to one of those lost kids that have gone past the prime ‘adopt by’ date. I’ll be saying a few words for ya:)
Good luck Fenicle; I can only imagine the anxiety of THAT visit. Going there alone usually elevates my blood pressure let alone addressing complex issues like that (and believe me, I have had to). Sending positive thoughts your way …
Best of luck on your visit. *That* doctor is stressful enough, I cannot imagine going in with so much on your plate. May the right path show itself to you soon.
v.
Oy. I’ll be thinking of you ( NOT LIKE THAT!!!) tomorrow and wishing you well
Wow, I can’t even imagine what a tough decision that must be. You’ve been through so much already (seriously!? 26 surgeries and more to come?! seriously!? That’s the pits. My hubby’s a surgeon, I know of what I speak. That’s really the pits.) and I’m sure the wondering (IF you can get pregnant, IF the worst-case scenarios will play out when you do, IF IF IF) is harder still.
This comment is a horrible example of a run-on sentence! Sorry about that. Despite the poor grammar here, I am wishing you well and hope the appointment brings good things.
Yikes. Good luck with it all!
You have really been through the ringer, haven’t you? Poor thing. I hope the best for you.
I had no idea you have been through all of this!
Your in my thoughts for tomorrow, those kinda doctor visits are never fun, even without all of the complications. Good luck
Hey thanks for visiting my blog. I wish you to be pain free and the ability to have a happy/healthy pregnancy and childbirth when the time comes.
You’ve got a lot to consider. My gut says do it - I feel the same way as Jenn, but what the hell do I know?
I will keep you in my thoughts.
xo,
J
[…] for all the well wishes, good thoughts and e-mails regarding my appointment. The news wasn’t terrible, but the river runs deep with issues. We’ve started with some […]
wow. sounds like a tough position to be in. if it is meant to be, it will happen. great things start with great thoughts…