Tomorrow, Tomorrow

Well, my surgery is scheduled for tomorrow at 9:00AM. Thankfully, it is going to be minor surgery. I need to have a hysteroscopy, and possibly a laparoscopy (you can webMD those procedures, if you are interested) to get the IUD removed safely. The CT scan revealed the problem and my doctor went over the results with me last week. Basically, my IUD is turned sideways and the top part is what is stuck in the uterine wall. The good news is it didn't go all the way through the wall and into the actual muscle of the uterus.

My doctor seems pretty confident that she can remove this safely and easily in the operating room. The surgery will only take about 30 minutes, they will send me to the recovery room for an hour, then I can go home and rest. She said I will only have a day or two of cramping and bleeding, then I will feel better.

She said that she is concerned about my anemia though. She warned me that if I bleed too much during the procedure, and if she can't get it to stop, then I would need to have a hysterectomy. Granted, that is the worst case scenario, but it still freaks me out. I am hoping to have another baby someday after this, so that would be absolutely devastating to me.

I am trying not to think about that possibility, stay positive, and hope that all goes according to plan. I am not even that nervous anymore. I found this information out three weeks ago, so I am so ready to have this thing removed, and get back to my normal activities. It will be so nice not to have this pain anymore.

Wish me luck, everyone. This will all be over soon. =)

All You Need is Surgery...

Well, my doctor got the results of my scan back, and it has been confirmed, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that my IUD is embedded in my uterine wall. This being the case, it must be surgically removed. No one would tell me much over the phone, so this is all I know.

I have a surgical consultation next Wednesday at 4:00, which makes me feel a bit better. If it was something really bad, they wouldn't want to wait to see me until next week. They would want me to go into surgery a.s.a.p., right? That's what I keep telling myself anyway.

I am still so upset and angry over this whole situation. Birth control should not cause this many problems. I have physical pain from this damn thing, I need to have surgery, and I might not be able to have anymore children after going through all of this. That is what I am most afraid of.

I do not understand why doctors say this is the most safe and convenient form of birth control. I have been doing some research, and there are literally hundreds of women that have gone through this very same thing. Some have been through worse. Thanks, Mirena IUD. You are a real gem.

More Waiting...

So... I had my CT scan done yesterday. It was really weird. The machine looked like a giant circle with a hole in it. I had to lie on a bed with my hands behind my head while they moved me back and forth through the machine. There were lasers, strange noises, and the machine would talk to me to tell me how to breathe during the scan.

The technician was saying that these scans are really detailed, so they will be able to tell if the IUD is actually embedded in my uterus, or just resting against.it. If it is just up against the uterine wall, they should be able to remove the IUD without surgery.

I am really hoping for good news on this, but of course I have to wait for my doctor to read the results of the scan and call me. Waiting is the worst part for me. I found this information out almost a week ago and I still don't know what to expect.

Keep your fingers crossed and send good vibes my way. I'm trying to stay positive. =)

IUD Update

I just got off of the phone with my doctors' office. The soonest they can get me in for my Pelvic CT Scan is Tuesday at 2:45. I was really hoping I could get in today, but I guess they couldn't make it work. I'm going to try to stay positive and not stress too much, but it's really hard. I want to get this damn IUD out as soon as possible. This whole situation is just scaring me really bad. I guess all I can do is wait and hope for the best.

Anxiously Waiting...

So... I went to my OB/GYN yesterday for my annual exam. Just a routine check up to make sure everything is okay, or so I thought. She did the pap smear and went to check the strings of my IUD and they were no where to be found. She said if I hadn't told her I had an IUD, she wouldn't have known I even had one.

She sent me to the ultrasound room right away to see if my IUD could be located. Well, she found it, but it is not where it should be; not even close. It migrated up to the front of my uterine wall and it is embedded there. It is actually about to puncture a hole through my uterus. I have been experiencing a lot of pelvic pain lately, and my doctor believes that is the cause.

I am supposed to receive a call this morning from the doctors office to schedule a Pelvic CT scan to find the exact placement of the IUD, since the ultrasound just gave a general idea of the area it is in. My OB/GYN says that if it is where she thinks it is, it will have to be surgically removed.

I'm freaking out waiting for this call and I need a hug. =(

Time for a New Start

So... I'm thinking of starting a new blog. This one really just started out as a pregnancy blog to keep track of Tristan's growth, my thoughts, experiences of that pregnancy, and his birth. This blog has been dead for a long time and our lives have changed quite a bit since then. I will probably keep it open, just because I like to look back on those memories every once in awhile, but it won't be active. I don't know. What do y'all think?

Randall Family Update

I thought I would give you all a little update on what's going on with the Randall family.

We are all exhausted, but we are doing great. Robbie loves his new job at Carlisle Syntec. He already got a raise and he has only been working there for two months! Woo hoo! He has also been getting lots of overtime since they are short staffed at the moment. The extra cash is nice, but I do miss him. He put in almost 60 hours this week!

Speaking of long hours, I am at full capacity in my daycare again. Thank goodness! I tried to get that last spot filled for months. It's really hard to find families that need daycare for just one child in this state. The only downside is I work 55 hours a week now. I love my job so much and I'm so grateful for it, but it is physically and mentally exhausting taking care of 8 children for that many hours a week.

So, Robbie and I don't get much time together during the week when he is working days and none at all when he is working nights. We have weekends off together, so we try to make the most of those days and spend them doing things as a family. We are going to try to make more time for friends and extended family though. Despite our hectic schedules, I am determined! =)

Tristan is doing so great! He had his 18 month check up two weeks ago. I can't believe my baby boy is a year and half old already. Time goes by way too fast. He is putting 2 to 3 word sentences together and is interested in learning his letters and numbers already. He knows a few letters of the alphabet, but he seems to be much more interested in counting. He can almost count to 10. He starts off with 1, 2, 3, skips 4, 5, 6, and 7, then goes straight to 8, 9, 10. Lol! He is still healthy and happy. I love that little guy more than anything. =)

I'm thinking of taking belly dance again. One of my daycare parents takes a class every Saturday in Salt Lake and one of my friends that I used to dance with in high school dances there on occasion as well. I miss dancing so much and one of my new years resolutions was to take some more time for myself. I think that would be a great way to do it. Plus, I would make some new friends in the process, which is always nice.

All I know is I need some balance in my life. All work and no play makes me super irritable and cranky. Lol! ;)

Gratitude List 2011 #26-41

26. I am grateful for having enough food to eat.
27. I am grateful for "just because" roses.
28. I am grateful for having clothes to wear.
29. I am grateful for my awesome extended family. They are amazing. =)
30. I am grateful that I am done with my tax prep.
31. I am grateful for things that grow.
32. I am grateful for faeries. Yes, I do believe in faeries. They are real! ;)
33. I am grateful for being able to buy an accredited preschool program for my daycare.
34. I am grateful that I passed my phone interview with licensing with flying colors.
35. I am grateful that Spring is almost here.
36. I am grateful for my Border Collie, Bad Dog. She is so mellow and sweet and I just love her.
37. I am grateful for sweet treats. I love to indulge once in awhile. =)
38. I am grateful for Broadway Musicals. They make the world a happier place.
39. I am grateful for my health.
40. I am grateful for the life lessons I have learned, even the ones I learned the hard way.
41. I am grateful for love.

Gratitude List 2011 #18-25

18. I am grateful for ATM deposits.
19. I am grateful for all of the overtime Robbie has been getting at work.
20. I am grateful for Facebook. I hate talking on the phone, so it is my saving grace for staying in touch with my family and friends.
21. I am grateful for sushi.
22. I am grateful for Tristan's wonderful laugh.
23. I am grateful for genuine people. There are so many fake ones in the world that you really need to treasure the "true blue" people in your life.
24. I am grateful that my daycare is now at full capacity.
25. I am grateful for living in a safe neighborhood to raise my son.

Gratitude List 2011 Part 2

Here is an update on what I have on my gratitude list thus far:

9. I am grateful for all of my friends.
10. I am grateful for Robbie shoveling the snow off the driveway every morning.
11. I am grateful that I got one of my daycare spots filled.
12. I am grateful for turning 24 today.
13. I am grateful for my dad and the great advice he gives.
14. I am grateful for Friday nights.
15. I am grateful for Karaoke.
16. I am grateful for my daycare parents that pay me on time.
17. I am grateful for coffee.