June 03, 2004
Good test results!
My body threw Dr. Vaughn for a loop today. First, he got my lab results. Blood count was fine and HCG was up again. That, combined with the lab results from my laparoscopy which confimed pregnancy tissue had been removed from my fallopian tube, had him thinking not all the tissue had been removed and cells were still growing.
My body was also uncooperative during the ultrasound. My left ovary showed up fine, some fluid in my abdomen showed up as well (but it was clear so nothing to worry about), but my right ovary (the one that likes to hide behind my uterus) wouldn't show. The pregnancy sac was still visible in my uterus too, but he had difficulty getting a clear view. I know that I couldn't tell what was in there. He finally said he wanted to bring in a colleague to get a second opinion. Dr. Silverberg came in, did his own scan, and confirmed that there was a yolk sac and a fetal heartbeat!! To us, the heartbeat was just a tiny rapid flickering, and the best news in the world.
Dr. Vaughn went on to say that we're not out of the woods yet. There is still a possibility that some of the ectopic pregnancy remains and may try to grow. If I start getting pain like I did before, I may have to have surgery again.
The doctors also agreed that the fetus seems small for its age. It measures about 5mm and is sized as if it were 6wks/2days instead of the 6wks/6days it should be. Dr. Vaughn said that the embryo may have just been slow to implant, in which case it's fine. Or, there might be another problem. It's still too soon to tell.
Tuesday's blood progesterone level was fine, and Dr. Vaughn is going to order another progesterone test on the blood drawn today. Depending upon the level, I may be through with the progesterone shots, or I may have to continue them. A couple of nights ago, Dale showed Phaedra how to do an injection. I think tonight we're going to let her do it while Dale supervises because Dale is going out of town next week and if I need the shots, Phaedra will have to administer them. Unless she just can't stand it, then I'll have to hit up Aaron.
Today's nausea has been intermittent. Dr. Vaughn and I suspect that all the nausea has been due to the pregnancy. I'm officially suffering from morning sickness! I'll bet there are women out there who'd kill to have morning sickness as mild as mine.
I've also had other pregnancy symptoms. Sudden food/smell aversions, even to things I ate and loved just recently. Frequent peeing. And every 30-45 min I let out a tiny burp or two. Today, I have the heavy feeling again in my belly. I'm hardly any larger than I was before I got pregnant, but due to the surgery and the way I've been feeling, I'm getting up and walking like I'm at least 6 months pregnant.
Needless to say, Dale and I are quite happy and excited. I'll still be a worry wart, and we still have to be really cautious, but today, I'm just going to be happy.