Happy Monday, friends! Life has been pretty interesting here on the homestead. About 2 weeks ago I noticed that I just felt off. It started with fatigue and a headache that wouldn't go away, then nausea. I thought it may have been a migraine, so I took a Nurtec (which always helps). It didn't this time. I remember making the comment to Carl that it felt like I did when I was pregnant. Smells made me nauseous and that usually only happens when I'm pregnant. Carlie was here getting Wrenley and handed me the test and said, "Go take it". I told her I didn't want to waste her test, but she insisted. Long story short, I took it, and then we forgot about it. I saw it sitting on the counter after Carlie left. It was as positive as positive could be. Of course, when I told Carl, he thought I was playing a trick on him. We drove 20 minutes into town at 9 p.m. to get another one (3).
All three were positive.
We went to bed in shock that night, not really thinking this could be true. I mean, hello, I'm 47 years old, have had my tubes tied (20 years ago), had an ablation, and I've been on hormone replacement therapy for almost a year now. And I'm a grandmother, for crying out loud!
My gynecologist was on vacation, so I had to see a regular doctor. She gave me another test (it was positive), then sent me to get my blood test. I also had an order for more labs on Sunday, and an ultrasound scheduled for Monday morning. The labs came back, and my hCG hormone was pretty low (like a 7.5), so it was either a very early pregnancy OR we caught a miscarriage. She still wanted to see if the levels rose at any over the weekend. I was also told to stop taking ALL of my medicines. I knew that it was going to be a very long weekend.
Sunday rolled around, and I went to check in for my labs. They couldn't get a vein. I almost passed out. We didn't get any blood that day.
Monday was a blur. The sonographer was kind of rude (I will never understand why rude people want to have jobs where they work with the public), and my blood work showed just a small rise in the hCG hormone (8.5). It should have doubled for a healthy pregnancy. We couldn't see any evidence of anything on the ultrasound, but that could have been because it was too early. They were mainly trying to rule out an ectopic pregnancy. I left knowing no more than when I went in. Which was very frustrating. I finally heard from my gynecologist, and she ordered a different panel of bloodwork along with another hCG test. Ya'll, at this point, my arms were black and blue with bruises. The pregnancy hormone was dropping, and the other tests that she did were sky high. After a solid week of no medicine and no answers, we are leaning towards the fact that this was all hormonal. She gave me the green light to start my hormone replacement therapy again. I can assure you that I will not be taking any more pregnancy tests! Ignorance is bliss!
I am thankful for my family, and I look forward to it growing, just not via my womb!
At the end of the day, gratitude shifts our hearts back to the One who gives us every good gift. Remembering that He is present in every detail of our lives.
Much Love,
Beth
Comments