On Monday, July 4th, a renal nephrologist (kidney specialist) came in the morning to consult with me.  He said that while numerically I look severe, symptomatically I’m pretty mild.  This means that other than spilling large amounts of protein in my urine and having a few rather high blood pressures here and there, I don’t have any other symptoms or complications.  The nephrologist said that my numbers are a common result of the Type 1 Diabetes and pregnancy combined.  I do not have preeclampsia as of now, but am still at high risk to develop it.  I do have nephrotic syndrome (a condition that is often caused by any of a group of diseases that damage the kidneys’ filtering system) and proteinuria (a condition characterized by the presence of greater than normal amounts of protein in the urine).  The nephrologist felt that regardless of how well I am or not, the baby should be delivered by my 36th or 37th week of pregnancy.  He also talked to me about starting on a beta blocker to help control my blood pressures and protect my kidneys.  He mentioned that the beta blocker is safe for pregnancy and breast feeding so at least I won’t have to give up breast feeding while taking it.  Oh!  A volunteer with the pet therapy program came to visit me with her cocker spaniel and she was so cute and friendly.  But, it was also very hot this day so, she wanted to lay on the cool tiled floor as well.  I enjoyed her visit though.

Tuesday, July 5th, the nephrologist ordered me on Labetalol 200mg 2x/day.  This is the beta blocker he spoke to me about earlier.  He also ordered that I check my blood pressures daily at least 2x/day and that I come in for weekly tests & lab work.  I should notify the doctor if I have blood pressures higher than 160/50 and if I get any immediate swellings in my hands or face (called edema), feel any persistent headaches, and/or contractions.  Another volunteer from the art therapy program came today and left me some art supplies:  a paper-mached heart, Modge Podge glue, various colored tissue paper, glitter glue pen, and some jewels.  So, I collaged the heart with the tissue paper.

So on Wednesday, July 6th, the doctor said that she wanted me to stay at least one more day so they can make sure my blood sugars and blood pressures were stabilized before being discharged.  More monitoring is really what it meant, but I probably did not need to be there.  I guess it’s better to be safe than sorry.  The art therapy volunteer came by again today to pick up her materials and she left me with some other materials:  an oval cardboard box to decorate, water color sheets, and water color paints.  So, I decorated the box and painted a couple of water color prints.

Thursday, July 7th, I had another ultrasound appointment at 8:00a.  Baby Levi was weighing in at 3 lbs. 11 oz. and in the 61st percentile, so just a little above average.  He was so active though, that they could not get a clear picture of his face.  He liked to throw an arm or fist up in front of his face every time!  Other than that, all else was looking normal.  My placenta, amniotic fluid, and cervix all looked good.  Before being discharged after my appointment, the doctor dialed my basal rate back down from 1.0 to 0.9 in the 3:00a – 7:00a time frame.

So far, my current pregnancy complications are:  Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Chronic Hypertension (high blood pressures), Nephrotic Syndrome, Proteinuria, and Low-Lying Placenta.

Current in-home medications:  Humalog Lispro Insulin to be used with insulin pump, Lovenox 40mg injected daily, Labetalol 200mg twice daily, Ferrous Sulfate 325mg daily, and Prenatal Vitamins daily.

Overall hospital experience:  I wish I had a private room or a roommate who was not in so much pain.  I felt really bad for her because it sounded as if she should be in the ICU and not in antepartum.  I also wish they would have let me walk around, even outside my room, like to the gardens, but they would only allow me to walk within the room.  I had to be wheeled around if I wanted to go anywhere else, even though I was capable of walking.  I guess that was part of me being in “bed rest” while at the hospital.  It drove me absolutely insane though!  I also wished Dustin had longer lunch breaks so that he could have visited with me a little longer each day.  I missed him terribly while in the hospital by myself.  :o(

  Paper-mache heart, used to be all white, then I glued ripped up pieces of tissue paper all over it

  Cardboard box, used to be all brown like the inside

  Mother & baby

  Stork & baby

Profile of Baby Levi’s face

Wide-eyed Levi

 Levi with my nose & chubby cheeks!  =o)   I <3 this one!

My 1st appointment since I’ve been back home from Louisiana was on Friday, June 17th, with my OB/Endo, Dr. Faig.  I weighed in at 142 lbs. with a normal blood pressure of 124/72.  The baby’s heart rate & height of fundus was all normal.  I was concerned for the high blood pressures I was getting while in Louisiana and my increasing blurry vision, however.  So, Dr. Faig wanted me to make an appointment with my eye doctor and do another 24 hr. urine test.  He also adjusted my basal rates from 12:00a – 3:00a to 0.60 and from 3:00a – 7:00a to 0.70.

On June 21st, I turned in my 24 hr urine test and the proteins spilling from my kidneys counted at 289.  This had gone up from the 83 count of my 1st 24 hr urine test.  But, the marker for preeclampsia is 300.  My blood pressure was also up 148/89.  So, at that time, they just wanted to monitor me more closely.  But due to the borderline preeclampsia symptoms, I was informed that I would have to get a Betamethosone (type of steroid) shot to help speed the development of the baby’s lungs in case he needed to come out before my 34th week.  The shot would be administered twice with the 2nd dose being given 24 hours after the 1st one.  Dr. Faig also warned me that the Betamethosone would elevate my blood sugars rapidly, so not to be concerned about numbers in the 300′s over the next couple of days after the 2nd shot.  Also, my new Hemoglobin A1c came back 6.6, up 0.3 from my April’s A1c of 6.3.  Not good, but not terribly bad.  Dr. Faig actually expected it to be higher this time because there has been so many changes since April.

I had gone to my opthalmologist, Dr. Fischer, the next day on June 22nd.  I told her about my blurred vision and even though she did not dilate my eyes (as she was concerned for my pregnancy), she was able to see into the back of them.  Dr. Fischer said that the blurry vision was caused by my fluctuating blood sugars and high blood pressures which made the back of my eyes swell, more so in the left than in the right.  I also had a little bit of bleeding in the back of my left eye.  Weird thing was that my vision was better in my left eye than in my right.  So, Dr. Fischer said the blurriness should subside once my sugars & blood pressure got back into control.  She did want to watch the progress of it though, so I am to see her again on July 21st.

June 23rd, I got the 1st Betamethosone shot at around 10:00a in the Labor & Delivery Dept. of Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital.  Dr. Faig also adjusted my basal rates to anticipate the blood sugar elevations.  He changed my rates from 3:00a – 7:00a to 0.75 and from 7:00a – 3:00p to 1.70.  On June 24th, I went to Dr. Faig’s office for my scheduled appointment and I weighed in at 145 lbs. with a blood pressure of 124/70.  Dr. Faig wanted to adjust my basal rates again based off my blood sugars log sheet, changing them from 7:00a – 3:00p to 1.80, 3:00p – 9:00p to 0.90, 9:00p – 12:00a to 0.85, and 3:00a – 7:00a to 0.80.  He advised me to bring the basal rate down by 1/10th of a unit for any unexplained lows because when the Betamethosone clears out of my system, my sugars could drop suddenly.  He also wants me to get my eyes dilated at my next opthalmologist appointment and maybe see a retinopathist.  Another specialist he wanted me to see was a kidney specialist or a renal nephrologist.  Right after my appointment with Dr. Faig, I had to go to Labor & Delivery to get the 2nd Betamethosone shot, which was actually given to me around 1:00p.

I had another weekly appointment to see Dr. Faig on July 1st, however, he was out of town that week, so I saw his colleague, Dr. Chetty.  She has seen me before, usually to check the baby’s heart rate and height of fundus and then answer any questions or concerns I might have before Dr. Faig comes in to see me for my blood sugars.  At this appointment, I weighed in at 146 lbs. with a blood pressure of 140/76.  Dr. Chetty adjusted my basal rates from 12:00a – 3:00a to 0.65 and from 3:00a – 7:00a to 0.85.  She also was concerned about my high blood pressure, so she had me go to Labor & Delivery to be monitored for my blood pressures for a couple of hours as well as to get some lab work done.  Before leaving Labor & Delivery, they provided me with the kit to repeat the 24 hr urine test.

This is when it starts to get a little interesting….

*BABY REGISTRIES*

(TARGET) Registry #:  014399701781822  https://www.target.com/registry/baby/014399701781822

(BABIES ‘R’ US) Registry #:  46995581                  http://www.toysrus.com/registry/index.jsp

My homecoming back to California on June 13th was such a sweet sorrow.  I felt really happy to be home and be with Dustin again, but I still felt tormented to leave Louisiana because I knew there was unfinished business yet to take care of, including concern for whether or not my mom would be alright on her own.  Also, I have never experienced such an ocean of emotions with its waves just pounding over me one after another.  Now that I am home, the passing of my dad has finally started to sink in and I miss him so much.  I just wish I could tell him everything that has been going on, especially with the baby and this pregnancy, like I normally would.  Oh, if only Heaven had a direct phone line I could call him at!  Another life changing event that came up so suddenly is that my sister and her family just moved to Seattle!  While I am so sad to not have her near by anymore, I’m also quite happy and excited for their new adventure because she had been offered an opportunity out there that she’d just be so crazy to pass up.  I have no doubt that they will all have an amazing experience in a new city.  However, I am already having Ava withdrawals!  ;o)

On a good note, Dustin and I have committed to a name for our little jellybean!  (Actually, I had known that I wanted this name since a couple of months ago, but I was waiting for Dustin to get on board with it.  Only, if I had known that he was just messing with me the whole time, I would have announced it then.  He is so silly sometimes!)  So, we have decided to name the baby LEVI LANY TOLENTINO DAVIS.  (Lany, pronounced like “Lonnie”, is my dad’s nickname by his family and closest friends.  I wanted the baby to carry on this name in honor of my dad’s existence as a phenomenal man in hopes that he will grow up exemplifying the same morals, values, and compassion of one of the best grandfathers he’ll never get to meet in his life.)  I hope that Levi will be able to get to know his grandfather through the stories I can tell of my dad to him.

Okay, now on to my appointments…

I have to commend my OB/Endo team because they have been so helpful and understanding through this emotional time for me.  I have been able to fax them my Blood Glucose Logs and they would call me to go over any changes necessary, even calling to just check up on me.  I could not have done this without their care.  When I get back home, I will post a more detailed entry of the changes we have made.

As for the little jellybean, he’s definitely growing and moving!  I am 25 weeks today and I’m a little more  hungrier now and I’m definitely a lot more tired.  However, I have been experiencing a bit of insomnia.  He kicks so hard now too that I can actually see my belly move around when he kicks.  It’s the funniest and strangest thing to watch, but an amazing feeling all together!  I can’t wait until Dustin can see for himself.  I’ve only been able to describe it to him over the phone.  It’s probably not really anything close to being the same, I’m sure.

Well, I just wanted to get this quick post up to let everyone know that I didn’t just fall off the face of the earth or get flushed down the toilet or something.  I’ll get back into the regular posting when I get back home.

As for my blood pressure, it seems to also be on a roller coaster ride of readings.  However, they are slightly higher than the average, non-diabetic pregnant woman has during her 2nd trimester, but not high enough to alarm my doctor.  He did mention that this may be an “after effect” of having protein in my kidneys from the diabetes and the fact that high blood pressure runs in my family’s medical history.  Dr. Faig said that at this time, he does not feel the need to start me on the blood pressure medication, but for me to continue monitoring because most likely I will need to start on them once I get into the 3rd trimester.  Usually, the blood pressure gets higher in the 3rd trimester for pregnant women, so if mine are slightly elevated right now, they’ll most likely get high enough to require medicinal aid later.  Dr. Faig also explained to me that while preeclampsia is not solely caused by high blood pressure but several other factors (some of which are not know yet), keeping the blood pressure in range helps to maybe prevent the condition from setting in too early, causing severe symptoms which may result in having to give birth to the baby too early.  The concern is a little frightening, I admit.  I am glad to be informed of it though because I don’t really like to have any unexpected surprises when it comes to health issues.

On an end to this entry, Dr. Faig feels that I can now come to see him every 2 weeks instead of once a week.  So, my next appointment won’t be until May 20th.  I will also get another Hemoglobin A1c taken at that time.  I feel that we are all on a good run here with this pregnancy, even though there are some concerns.  Overall, together, we are doing all that we can to keep the baby healthy and safe.

************

Someone really needed a station wagon and asked me if they could trade me for their new red Corvette.  I thought they were joking because it wouldn’t have been a fair trade since my Subaru Legacy wagon was old and even new, it still wouldn’t compare.  But, this person insisted and so we traded and I was left with a new Vette.  My dad came out to look at the car and ride with me.  When I got in the driver’s seat, I realized that I could barely see over the dash and rear.  I didn’t even know the gears.  But, my dad helped me figure out the gears finally and we set for leaving the crowded parking lot.  I was really nervous because I didn’t want to accidentally back up into any of the other cars around me.  So, I took it real slow.  Then, when we got to the back of the lot, there were several yellow tractor robots digging up the lot and my dad directed me while I maneuvered my way around them to the exit.

We were going to meet up with the rest of the family at a garden park.  The parking lot was at the bottom of a hill in which you had to hike up a dirt trail to the top of the hill where the garden was.  My dad and I trekked up the trail and by the time we got to the top, he was so exhausted (due to his ill condition).  He asked me if I could just pick him up from the top instead of having to hike back down.  As I went to get the car, my dad explained to the rest of the family how I acquired a new red Corvette.  But, when I got to the car, I realized that there was no road leading to the top of the hill.  I was bewildered as to what to do next!

Then, I woke up.

************

In this dream, my dad and I were looking for our 2nd horse named Tony.  (Just to note:  We do not really own any horses, have wanted to & have the land to, but we don’t.)  Then, I went to check on our 1st horse named Jake.  Jake was standing in the yard by the fence, kind of skittish as I approached him.  There was just enough moonlight for me to see shadows dancing on the fence.  As I got closer to Jake, a specific shadow caught the corner of my eye.  When I focused on it, I saw a tall thin figure with long slender fingers on its hand.  It didn’t stand completely straight and was hunched at the shoulders.  But, in a graceful and quick fluid motion, it passed in and then out of the light from the moon.  It disappeared with the blink of an eye!  I called for my dad in a state of panic and described what I had just seen.  He roamed the yard with is spotlight flashlight, but found nothing.  However, as we both had a feeling to look up towards the sky, we saw the clouds formed in a kind of cyclone circle, but no storm or winds, just calmness.  Then again, with the blink of an eye, the clouds dispersed and the sky was clear.

Just as I looked at my dad’s expression of bewilderment, I woke up from my sleep.

************

First, I dreamt of my shoulder surgery.  The nurse and surgeon were trying to convince me that I didn’t need any anesthetics and that it was just going to be a tiny slice that I wouldn’t really feel.  But, I was so nervous about it.  I asked if I needed my husband to come pick me up, but they assured me that I’d be ok to drive home on my own.  I was still very skeptical.  Just before they sliced into my shoulder, my dream switched…

I was now dreaming that I was at a women’s surf competition and some woman entered me in.  She was trying to convince me that I would do well.  She handed me some really fine sand paper, then held out a fish board and a short board, and told me to sand the bottom of both boards.  I asked her why and what does that do, but she just told me to concentrate.  I told her that I really didn’t feel comfortable being in this competition and she just asked which board I felt more comfortable with.  I said maybe the fish because I barely can ride a fun board yet.  Then she said, “Ok, so you might be able to cut on a fish.  That’s good, we’ll start with that.  Don’t worry so much.  If you even get to stand on the fish, that’ll be an accomplishment.  You will be a winner to yourself.  That’s how you learn, just get out there and do it!”  Then, she turned to another woman passing by and asked if she knew “so-&-so”, but the other woman just looked at her funny and then ignored her question, walking past like a snob.  The woman encouraging me, muttered, “b*@ch” to the passing woman.  Then, I tried to re-emphasize how much I was not ready to compete and again the woman just re-encouraged me.  So, I started sanding the bottom of the fish board and my heat was about to be called.

I woke up after that.

Last Friday, April 29th, I had an appointment with Dr. Faig.  While I still could not get the flu shot due to my ill condition, he said I can still try to get it this Friday when I go to see him again.  I know, it’s getting late in the season to have one, but better to be safe than sorry, especially concerning the baby’s health.  Dr. Faig felt that my last week’s blood glucose levels were a little on the high side because of the lung infection and so he felt that he should not adjust my insulin at the time.  He was concerned about my creeping blood pressure though.  Dr. Faig ordered me a home blood pressure monitor (on loan through his office) for the duration of my pregnancy.  It is one more thing I have to monitor and record  daily, at least twice a day, but the numbers should help my doctor determine whether or not he wants to start me on some blood pressure medicine that is safe for the baby.  Dr. Faig assured me that this would only be temporary and would not mean I have to be on blood pressure medicine for the rest of my life.  However, due to my diabetes and the natural tendency for women to have higher blood pressures during pregnancy, he wants to make sure that mine doesn’t keep climbing so we can catch any signs of preeclampsia before it sets in.  So, I don’t mind the homework if it means keeping the baby & myself safe.

Dustin and I went to the anatomy scan appointment & genetics counselling this morning and it was nice to have him see the hospital where I’ll be giving birth at for the first time.  During the anatomy scan, we found out that the baby is a boy!  There is a photo below where the tech labelled the proof as “boy stuff”.  Hahaha!  Cute.  More so, we found out that everything has been developing normally so far.  There were no evident abnormalities or defects.  He is on target in weight and length as of now.  The only concern, and is a minor concern at this point but will have to be monitored, is that my placenta is low lying.  So, if for some reason it drops any lower, I will then have to have a C-section.  Well, I’ll be needing a series of ultrasounds to monitor all of this apparently.  More good news, though…During the genetics counselling, we were informed that my pre-screening results showed that the baby is at very low risk for 4 different genetic defects.  Also, going through Dustin’s and my family histories, there is low risk for current family diseases.  All in all, the baby is pretty normal and healthy.  The baby does like to move around a lot though.  He was moving so much during the scan (again).  I think he will be like Dustin, doesn’t like people to invade his personal space.  ;oP  Well, Dustin and I are super stoked!  We had hoped for a boy and got one!  At least that helps narrow down our name choices (sort of).  :o)

  3D profile picture of our little jellybean!  I’m beginning to see the “Melody” nose now.

  Another 3D picture…This one shows how he likes to lay with his arm bent under his head like how Dustin likes to sleep!  :oD

  Baby’s rib cage & one of its organs (not sure if that’s the lung, liver, or stomach, or whichever).

  Haha!  ”Boy Stuff” says it all here!

  Close up of the baby’s face w the 2 eye sockets looking at you!

  Profile of the baby’s head and torso.  You can kind of see the heart, but its a bit fuzzy.