Decisions.

These are just a few recent pictures of our Very cute 1st Miracle Baby!! God provided for us once...he can COMPLETELY do it again...look at the very cute proof we have below! GOD IS AMAZING! I definitely see God every day in this little boy He has allowed us to have! Enjoy reading our very long Blog below for details concerning my recent Dr. Appointment! Blessings!

While at Dr Mallory's office the other day he gave us 4 options:

1.) To take Lupron or Depo to put me in a semi menapausal stage to where I wouldn't feel the fibroid dissolving because of the lower amount of hormones. This would be over a period of at LEAST 6 months to do. It would be the safest way to get rid of it and less painful, however, 6 months is too long.

2.) To do a procedure that involves a Cathederization in my leg that would lead to the blood vessels and veins that lead to the tumor itself, inject something in it so that it kills it off. This Procedure would be VERYpainful because it would make something in my body die pretty quickly and I would be in so much pain...like 10 times worse than normal regular cramps (that are already pretty painful due to the fibroid). Also, this is somewhat of an invasive surgery, and my body does not do well in surgery...meaning I'm usually allergic to the medicines during surgery.

3.) Full Out Open Surgery...which he said was NOT an option before. But, since he just did a surgery like the one he's hoping to do on me he feels more confident that I will still be able to have more children...however it would be VERY RISKY. Explaination: My tumor is on the inner uterine wall...which means that he would have to cut through my already existing scar from my C-section, then go through my uterus and cut the fibroid out of the other side of my uterus. This means that when I do conceive another child...which would be way after a FULL recovery from surgery...that the pregnancy would be really high risk because I would not be able to carry a baby to full term from fear of my uterus bursting because it would be vulnerable on either side of it from the scar tissue and such from the surgery. So, they would take me in for another C-section at anywhere from 36-38 weeks due to the risk of my uterus getting too big and bursting, then in return risking the life of myself and my unborn child. Then we would have a preemie on our hands, since a full term pregnancy is 40 weeks. Not that I would mind a preemie...but, I want everyone to be healthy and preemies are high risk for so many things, as well!

Then last but not least...I asked Dr Mallory point blank what would happen if Mark and I just went ahead and got pregnant without removing the tumor. He said that chances are pretty good that we will have another healthy baby in the end...although, he said that it may end up growing too big again and cause me to still have the same problems that I did when I had Samuel (preterm labor at 20 weeks). Although I really didn't like going through the things I went through when I was pregnant with Samuel...things have changed slightly. During the time I had preterm labor, I was severely dehydrated and VERY stressed out because we were moving and I had just graduated from College. When in the hospital that Memorial Day weekend after we had already moved our things to Decatur only hoping to stay for another few days and then move out here they told me that Stress and Dehydration can also cause the Preterm labor on top of the Fibroid. SO...with that said...my life has changed. It's a normal every day life with a toddler. Although at times it can be stressful, the stress will NEVER compare to that time period. And, since we are not moving and not planning on moving for at least another year out of our apartment and into something bigger...if not longer...that is not a stress. And since I'm not in school now worrying about getting things done so that I can graduate, that's not a worry any longer either. AND...since I'm NOT living in the great state of Illinois any longer, where it is very hot and humid to where you get out of the shower and you are still sweaty...then dehydration is not an issue either...I will make sure of that!

Mark and I have talked it over in great detail and have chosen the fourth option. It is the very best for us. Although this pregnancy will be difficult and possibly painful...we feel that it is the best choice. I have already gone through it once, so I know what to expect and now that we have made the Dr aware of our situation I will be high risk and we know what to look for and what to do in the same situations as before. After I have all the children I'm going to have, we will then choose to have it removed. I will end up having another C-section especially since the tumor will more than likely grow again and be in the way of the baby dropping again...but, I've already had one, so I know what to expect.

Although we have chosen to go ahead and get pregnant, we will be waiting until Samuel and I come back from our trip from IL in September. I don't want to be nauseated on the plane and chasing after a toddler as well...that equals MADNESS! So, we will be waiting.

What you can do:
Pray for us in this process. Pray that we are making the right decisions in this. PRAY PRAY PRAY! I only want what is best for us and if God IS NOT in this process...then we shouldn't be doing it! So, please be praying for us as we will also be praying we are making the right decisions!

Thanks so much to all of you (SO SORRY THIS WAS A VERY LONG BOOK TO READ!!! :) )

Appointment Today...

Today is what I am hoping is my final appointment before Mark and I can start trying for another little one. I've done all the tests the Dr's have wanted me to and they have all come back fairly normal. My cholesterol was slightly elevated, but they said it wasn't worrisome. Also, my fibroid has shrunk down to half the size it was when I had my C-section with Samuel.

I'm a little bit nervous and yet excited about this appointment. It could mean that tonight we can start trying to conceive Sam's brother or sister, or it could mean an invasive procedure to try and shrink the fibroid which will be not only invasive, but also painful.

If any of you read this before 11am this morning please be praying for me and that the appointment will be what God intended it to be. Whatever the outcome of the appointment, I want God to be in the middle of it! And hopefully the next appointment I have with Dr mallory will be because I'm pregnant. But, God needs to be in ALL of this.

I will update later about the appointment and the outcome. Thanks so much for the prayers and thoughts!! I appreciate all of them!

A long week...

It truly has been a long week. Here's the lowdown:
Monday I worked a WHOLE day...which means I stayed until 11:30pm...and was there from 10:30am. I was tired.

Tuesday I felt myself getting sick...throat was sore. I skipped out on Playgroup. Sorry ladies...I just don't want to get anyone sick.

Wednesday I watched a friend's child for a few hours then started getting really sick with a Migraine that WOULD NOT go away...I threw up 7 times and finally went to sleep. Luckily I have friends who came over and watched my son and the other lil guy I was watching until my hubby got home and then later my friend's hubby came to pick up their child. I was so miserable that I decided it was time to make a Dr appt. Too bad they couldn't get me in the same day...oh well, I went in the next morning. I was able to get a few bites of toast down that evening.

Thursday I went for the Dr appt. They formally diagnosed me with having Migraine headaches. Gave me some great meds that really make me tired...but, really do make the headaches go away. They wanted to give me a shot...but, I HATE needles so I refused it. I have to take 2 Aleves and a prescription drug every time I feel a headache coming on.

Friday I went over to a friends and sat with her twin 2 years old boys. Luckily they were napping the whole time...but, Sam had a great time playing with their trains while we were there. Then that afternoon I made a huge dinner for our family and the Holgates all from Scratch...seriously! I'm pretty proud of myself. I love cooking...so, when I have the chance to do it for more than just my family...I'm totally doing it! LOVE TO COOK! We then went over to their home and ate and watched a few episodes of Lost...which I'm totally LOST on...HAHA!! I love that show, though!

And today (Saturday), Oh my what a long day! Went to Old Navy for their $12 jean special...met up with some of my Mommy friends there. Then went home...made my hubby try his jeans on...they FIT! YAY! Then, I ate a lil something...then a friend came over with her kiddo and we went Blueberry Picking at Boxx Berry Farm. But...berry picking with lil guys is not really that fun! I think next time I'm leaving him with his daddy!!!! Then I went home for a little while again. Before long we left again and went out to the Radke's a family from church. They had a BBQ night for those who lead worship in the church and their fams. So...that was actually really relaxing and fun. Then...I had to leave to come to work. I'm tired.

Anyhow...That's been my week. I know it doesn't sound like a whole lot of anything...but, I feel tired and worn out from it...probably because I was really sick! Thank the LORD that I'm feeling better!

Love to all!!

Fibroids and My New Schedule...

So, this week I've started my new schedule...which is only working Mondays(all day) and a Saturday overnight. I can absolutely say that I'm in love with this wonderful schedule! It's only 5 hours less per week than before, and it allows me to be home with my son more and to be more available to my husband, household and Moms group! So far so good with having LOTS of time with my son and husband. And, so far so good with having time for my Moms group, although I couldn't make it today to a playdate due to an appointment with the Ultrasound Machine at Mt baker imaging! I feel badly about that.

But...it brings me to my news from my ultrasound:
It has shrunk down by half. It was 8 cm in diameter when I had my C-section...as I was on display during my C-section as they were showing everyone around how I had a really huge Fibroid Tumor. Anyhow...today brought some good news...the fibroid has shrunk down to now only being 4.05 cm in diameter...which is great! The ultrasound tech, although not a DR, said that the Dr should tell me that it is okay for me to go ahead and get pregnant again...and just be on the High Risk Pregnancy list, if there is one. She said that it should be basically like the last pregnancy...and of course I will have to have another C-Section because of it.

But, YAY! I'm pretty stoked about these results! I just now have to go and still do the other Ultrasound for my breast, which is scheduled for next Thursday. And then Wednesday I go to my primary care Dr...and he will probably send me for a Colonoscopy...NOT FUN, I've heard! So...after those two things and then my next OBGYN appointment on the 29th...I hope to GOD that I will be great to start Planning anothe Pregnancy! I can't wait to feel another little one moving around in my tummy...that HAS TO BE the BEST FEELING IN THE WORLD! LOVE IT!

Oh..and a little side note...Yesterday Sam and I went to Bellis Fair to see the Family Fun Movie that is free...Oh my goodness...please don't take a toddler to a movie. He was good for about 20 minutes...then got whiny and started running up and down the isles. I even went and purchased a soda and popcorn for us after he got cranky thinking it would settle him down... It did for all of 5 minutes. So, we went out in the hallway of the theatre and he just ran the halls. We had met another fellow mom from the moms group...and her little one did okay, better than Sam did...but, we both agreed that we needed to leave at intermission. So, we did...then I went shopping and walked around the mall! I got new shoes...and so did Samuel...YAY! Anywho...my point is...don't take a toddler to see a movie in the theatre and expect him to sit and watch the whole time! It doesn't work...at least for me it didn't!

Alrighty then...see you later! Enjoy my blog!

Blessed with a WONDERFUL OBGYN!

BEWARE: IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE AT THE OBGYN OFFICE...GO AWAY NOW!

I just wanted to post about my experience today at Dr. Mallory's office (Bellingham OBGYN). First off...I LOVE THIS DR! I've never had a more down to earth, compassionate and caring OB Dr. before! And...I've had my fair share...even in the ONE pregnancy that I had. I've seen many a Dr before...and Dr Mallory is by far the BEST one I've ever met!

He actually sat down in the exam room and took the time (not even kidding...20minutes at least!!) with me FULLY Clothed...which is not normal from my experience! He just talk with me about my past pregnancy, about my body now and the conditions I have. He really cared about the care I received.

Then...comes the fun part...Undress please!!!
AT LEAST...at this office they actually have the robes...although the back is open...at least the robes are there to use! The robes were there along with the papertowel like blanket thing. So, you are sitting there naked, fully covered. Then in walks the Dr. and the nurse...they ask you to lie down and move your butt forward...and incoming!!!! haha! I hate pap exams... Nothing like a Cold Metal thing going somewhere the sun doesn't shine!!! And then the brush that they use to retrieve the samples they need! AHH! It's uncomfortable and rather painful at times!

OH...then the Dr pulls the metal part out and then sticks his fingers in there to feel around for my fibroid! WOW...That's a little akward....I felt like saying... I only just met you 25 minutes ago and you've already made it to 3rd base! Rather forward, don't you think?? Well...he was doing his job...

OKAY...so, this is a funny thing really quick though...and Melissa, darling, you will definitely appreciate this:
While checking my "Area" out...Dr Mallory said this to me: WOW...your Mucas is Really great!

WHAT THE HELL?????? How does one respond to that???? I just laughed and laughed...and said...Um, Thanks, I think? He said that he wasn't joking and that if I were to go into a fertility clinic and have them examine me that I would be the envy of all...that's just so crazy to me!

What a funny guy that Dr. Mallory is!

BUT...NO, I can't just go and get pregnant right away, though. He wants me to get an ultrasound done on my fibroid to see what size it is, if it's gone down since having Sam or if it's still the sam size...which was the size of a fist when I had him. He says if it's still the same size, then he will do a precedure that will fill my uterus up with some gell type stuff and it will make the fibroid die. But, he says he cannot surgically remove it because it's in a spot where he would basically have to cut my uterus open like a C-section again...but then go through onto the other side(Inner side) and cut that open, as well...and then I would definitely not be able to have any more children. It would be like having two C-sections in One surgery! Scary!

But, why didn't the Dr. in IL ever tell me any of this??? I am just so sick of incompetent DR'S! So, it was such a great thing to be able to sit down with a really nice and caring Dr today and talk about these health concerns.

SO...I have two sonograms scheduled...one for my fibroid and one for my left breast. He found a bump on my left Breast...and thinks it's just a blocked duct...but, wants to check it out further. And...he wants me to follow up with my Primary Dr about a few other things...and I may need to have that wretched Colonoscopy done, as well... UGH!

So...now I'm done talking about all my invasive gross exams and such...

It's just really nice to have someone caring for me that actually seems to care! You know???