pregnant me (and mom, of course)

Well, Ruthann wanted it, so here it is: a picture of pregnant me. This pic was taken at Ella's birthday party on the 8th; I'm 24 weeks today, though. The week this pic was taken, my doctor told me that the baby wasn't even one pound yet. The picture doesn't do how big I am justice, because I'm really a little bigger than I look in it (and I'm pretty sure I've grown in the past eleven days). I already feel huge, so I can just imagine how big I'll be getting by the time I'm ready to deliver. I already waddle, for pete's sake! (I try really hard not to, though.)

I went to see a specialist today because I've been very uncomfortable at night, which makes it hard to sleep. For almost two months now, my right arm has been falling asleep at night, no matter which side I lay on (pregnant women aren't supposed to sleep on their backs, which is my normal sleeping position, because it cuts off oxygen to the baby). It's been getting worse as time wears on: it is actually painful for me to grip anything, especially in the mornings, and just yesterday while I was grading papers I realized that my fingers were tingling and my arm felt like it was getting numb as I was trying to write. Not normal, I realized, and not simply my arm falling asleep. I did a little preliminary web research and realized I probably have carpel tunnel, something that often flares up in pregnant women because our bodies are retaining more fluids, resulting on more pressure on the nerves. The doctor confirmed it, but said we caught it in time in my left arm to be able to reverse/prevent any damage, and in my right arm (she hopes) in time to prevent any actual muscle damage. She thinks my weakness is actually a result of the pain and not an indication of muscle damage. So she's got me wearing a splint at all times on my right arm and at nights on my left. Hopefully it will cut down on pain (already is a bit) and allow me to sleep better.

Old lady me has also had soreness in my hips, another problem keeping me from sleeping at night. They get very, very sore and I have to turn every hour or so. In the mornings I often feel like I've been climbing stairs all night. But there's actually a reason and a name for that, too: as my hips widen to get ready for baby (like I need my hips to be any wider, thank you), the muscles are stretching and fluid sacs are pressing against the muscles. It's called bursitis. But that, too, has a fairly easy fix: a few sessions of physical therapy (assuming I can get someone to cover mom so I can go, of course) and they should be able to teach me some exercises that will help me stretch those muscles and strengthen the surrounding muscles. Ah, relief! (I'm counting on it.) Maybe I will be able to sleep in the next four months. (I'm going on about about four or five hours of sleep from last night, although I tried to sleep for about ten.) So that's the update on the pregnant lady. I'm hoping pregnancy gets a little less uncomfortable and a little more fun as time wears on.

I've also got two quick updates on other news: mom slept heavily all day yesterday and even refused her pain pills at one point, and she's stopped talking to me and dad. Instead, she either just stares at us or nods or shakes her head. It had me pretty scared yesterday, but today I think it's mostly a choice she's making: she's been slightly more alert (meaning not hard to wake up) but does not seem interested in conversation. I know she can talk, because she's surprised me a couple times today by actually saying two or three words, but she chooses not to--probably because her mouth is dry from lack of hydration. She also knows what's going on most of the time, because when dad or I talk about cleaning her up she shakes her head and tries to be very adamant. I wouldn't let her refuse this afternoon since she hadn't been cleaned up since yesterday morning and desperately needed it. She was unhappy (I'm guessing) and kept her eyes closed the entire time. I had to change all of the sheets, and while I was doing so, one of her legs slipped off the bed and her foot banged into the drawer of supplies we have underneath it. She didn't even bother to warn me that she was slipping or react at all when her leg fell. I apologized two or three times and felt so bad that I almost started crying and she just laid there. I thought for a minute that she was passing out or falling asleep again because she just let me finish and start repositioning her, but when I realized I needed to change her gown, too, she held up her arms so I could take it off and put the new one on. So it was her choice not to react or respond, but it hurt my feelings a little because she wouldn't even acknowledge my apology. I think she was upset with me for insisting on cleaning her up. She'll have to get used to it, though, because it's not good to let her go that long without it.

The other "quick" update (I'm long-winded, I know): I heard from Sarah and the CT of her chest was clear. That's good! They're going ahead and trying to determine a treatment plan, and it looks like chemo. She asked for prayer, saying that God is the one that will have to heal her if she is healed. So please, keep praying, and thanks. For the prayers, the well-wishes, everything. Til next time.