Reposted from the Lethal Doses Forum:

Me: "As for news, there's been a lot going on. That's why I haven't been on in a while. Some of it doesn't have to do with this thread, but I'm gonna post it here anyway, at least for thought continuity's sake.

Weekend before last I got a phone call that my stepdad had passed away. I had only met him a couple of times, but he was a nice enough guy and he was taking good care of my mom (which, you'll remember, had a brain aneurysm just before they had wed). I was worried about getting her some support. I couldn't fly out myself because I'm now in my 3rd trimester, so I sent my brother that lives in Reno. He could get the time off, but he didn't have the resources to get to Michigan. And if I have anything, I have resources. It worked out well and he got out there in plenty of time.

My next worry was what was Mom going to do now. Well, my brother and I talked before he left. He offered for her to come stay either with him and his wife, or with me & my hubby. She has declined both offers. My big worry at this point is that she's so stubborn, she'll turn to being a "cat food lady" or marry some other guy just for the sole purpose of getting by. Either possibility creeps me out. But it's out of my hands for now. I think I'm gonna talk to my aunt to see about having her check up on Mom once in a while. That might give me a lil' peace of mind.

As for how I'm doing... Ok at the moment, maybe a little scared. I had to take a blood glucose test a couple days ago and I got the call today that it came back high. So, I have to go back to the doctor's office on Monday to take a 3-hour glucose test that I have to fast 12 hours prior to. If that comes back high as well, it means that I have gestational diabetes. It means I will have to go to a whole bunch more doctors and a dietician and possibly have to do insulin shots. It means that I run a higher risk of having a C-section because babies tend to grow too big with gestational diabetes. It also means that the baby runs a slight risk of having hypoglycemia.

I'm trying very hard right now not to get too worried about it. No sense in stressing out unless there is a firm reason to, right? "

Puck: "Right. Everything will be fine. *hugs back* ;^D"

Mr. Bean: "Beats the alternative of completely freaking out. Junior's probably twisting your stomach into enough knots by himself; he most likely doesn't need any help. "

Uncle Benny: "um... I don't know if you've already found a solution for the stretch marks, but I heard that if you keep rubbing coconut lotion on it it helps... I think... then again, they also told me to balance a piece of steak on my forhead to ease my back problem...actually, that was a bold faced lie."

Me: "Nah... there is nothing on the market that can get rid of stretch marks. There's just a lot of companies out there that capitalize on new mothers' sense of vanity, that and old wives tales. Good genetics are the only thing to prevent them. I actually am proud of mine, kind of a "badge of courage" thing.

Thanks for the good thoughts, guys. I'm actually feeling a little better about things today."

Uncle Benny: "stay strong, lady person ma'am, because if you don't, um... damn, my mind just went into blank mode... damn it...."

Phil: "It's Nemo; in all the time she's spent as surrogate mom here at the LD boards (at least for as long as I've been here) she's always been strong. I can't see that changing now. I mean, it's worked so well for her so far, why change what works?

'Course, even so, having some supportive thoughts sent your way never hurts. So, Nemo, best wishes, glad you're feeling better, and I'd like to echo the sentiments that it'll all turn out fine. "

Me: "Thanks again for the thoughts. Good mojo always helps!

The test is tomorrow morning and I've been especially careful about what I've eaten the last few days. If there's still an issue, it's not going to show up because I've made a mistake. (Though I have to admit, I miss my sweets!)

Basically, what's going to happen is that I start fasting at 8:30 tonight. I show up at 8:30am (Eww!) and they take the first blood sample. They then have me drink this big bottle of stuff that tastes kinda like orange Slice or Crush, but I have to down it completely within 5 minutes. For the next 3 hours after that they take another sample on each hour. After that, I'm going to IHOP, baby, 'cause I'm gonna be starving!

I'll let you guys know the results once I get them. "

Puck: "Okay, Nemo we are all waiting to see what has happened... /Worried Puck "

Me: "I just got the call...YAYYYYYY!!!!!!!!No gestational diabetes!!!!!!" (1/30/03)

Reposted from the Lethal Doses Forum:

Me: "The last couple of days I've been in some rather bad pain. I really thought that my groin pull was back. Any time I sat up or stood up I wanted to cry. Crawling out of bed was agony. But I really wanted to avoid taking any pain medication. So, I called my nurse.

It turns out that what I'm feeling is my pelvic bone spreading open somewhat. Also the "round ligaments" on the underside of my belly are stretching some more. They definately didn't say anything about this kind of pain in the books I've read so far!

I now have to take Tylenol on a regular basis (which I really didn't want to do), wear my belly belt all the time and take a lot of baths. Thank goodness for Jacuzzi tubs! At least I'm feeling a little better now. "

Phil: "Nemo, that pelvic bone thing sounds like it really hurts, and I'm very glad that's not me."

Me: "Thanks... I'm actually feeling a lot better now. I've cut down on the Tylenol again unless I start feeling sore (and before it gets too bad).

I just started my Bradley birthing class this last Tuesday and I have to do a series of exercises that works on strengthening my hips & belly. Hopefully that will help even more.

I'm also going, on the advice of my Doula (Professional Labor Assistant), to see a chiropractor. I have what's called Sciatica. It's basically a nerve that gets pinched in the hip area every once in a while and the pain makes it very difficult to walk. It's actually a very common problem for both men and women, though most of you won't have to worry about it for another 10 years or so. I didn't start having issues with it until I was 30. Anyway, being pregnant has thrown off my center of gravity and altered my weight so that the sciatica is rearing its ugly head more than it normally would. Hopefully this chiropractor will be able to help me out with this.

I just want to mention too, that while I might talk about the aches and pains that I'm having, I'm not looking for pity. Women on the whole go through more pain than men do. We're used to it. It's all in the hormones. No, the reason that I talk about it is that I want you all to learn. I care about you guys and one of these days you are going to have wives or girlfriends in the same situation that I am in (or be in it yourself, if you're one of the gals!). You can't even imagine right now how much they will love you all the more just for having a clue about what's going on with them. They may not even understand what's going on themselves, but if you have a grasp of the situation they will feel comforted and loved. That in itself will make you feel as if you've won the world's biggest Lotto! :^D"

Puck: "Nemo, The only thing that I have had to worry about since I have turned 30 is a 30 lb weight-gain in a year. And I am actually glad for it! (I weighed 135 for over 10 years) Pictures are cool. Babies are cool. I want to be cool and have babies too. *Sigh* Someday, Puck, Someday."

Me: "It's ok, Puck... One of these days you'll have babies too. *hugs* You can care for mine vicariously, if ya want. ;^D"