Embarrasing moments, and home improvement

Ok, I've hit a new low. I went in to the bathroom this afternoon, and almost lost my life when I took my seat. The seat actually broke off the toilet. Now I know that I have changed size being pregnant, but to actually break the toilet seat? To add further insult to injury, I was babysitting my neighbor-girls at the time, so when they heard me yell "oh no!" they came running to find me standing over the toilet (fully dressed, of course) looking at a seat dangling off the side. Much hilarity and laughter ensued. Not a great self-esteem day. Of course, the seat had been wobbly basically since we moved in, but still, to be the person to break it off, while pregnant, this was a new low.
Also today, the hand towel ring fell out of the wall. (as you can see, our house is very high quality.) The plaster actually crumbled where the anchors have been, and the whole thing just fell out of the wall. Bryan went to Home Depot to get a new seat this evening and forgot to get epoxy glue, or plaster, so when he went to fix the bathroom, he just shoved some chewed gum in the hole to re-attach the towel ring. It's any wonder he hasn't developed his own home-improvement show on the home and garden network. I'm hoping the gum is just a temporary fix and that he will in fact actually fix the holes when he gets back from his trip he leaves for tomorrow. We shall have to wait and see.
As I mentioned, Bryan is leaving town tomorrow morning and won't be home until Monday evening. I'll be all on my own tomorrow, (my neighbor is coming tomorrow night to help hook me up to my IV) and then my cousin Nancy will be here Friday afternoon-Monday to help me around the house, and help hook me up to the IV. And that's the news.

Bryan was right...

It's a girl! Yes friends, a little baby girl is on the way to the Scott house. Bryan is ecstatic...I'm happy but also very nervous. Nervous about a pink explosion, barbie dolls and other things I know nothing about. :-) I'll post ultrasound picts by tomorrow at the latest, although they aren't that great.
I'm off to lunch w/ my neighbor...perhaps I'll buy a doll or something. :-)

No, those aren't monkey bars, they're mommy's ribs

So baby has discovered that if one wiggles and kicks around, one can create more space by pushing mommy's insides out of the way. The previous cute little kicks are becomming more violent and less cute by the day. Baby wiggled up around my ribs on Friday, and has found that to be the most favorite spot as of late; after all, ribs can be kicked and punched and can be used as a jungle gym. (Ok, I know the baby can't really hang onto my ribs, but it certainly feels like it.)
Bryan thinks it's funny that I talk to my belly now with great frustration and distress. His favorite phrase is "Ouch! What did I ever do to you? Just settle down!" I am usually then kicked or punched...I can't quite tell what is striking me, but I can see a small something jab out of my tummy for a moment. 3 more months to go...pretty soon the space is going to get more cramped and baby won't be able to wind up as much, right? My nephew broke my sister's rib whilst in-utero...I am hoping my child did not inherit the same set of genes.
Meanwhile, I'm feeling pretty yuckie again. I'm going to discuss w/ my doctor the possibility of geting some vitamins in my IV since I'm still barely able to eat, and what I can get down is usually a small sandwich- not the most vitamin-enriched of options.

Bryan's quotes of the day

I was looking online at baby crap this a.m., trying to determine which items we will need/want to put on a registry. Bryan looked over my shoulder at an Avent nursing bottle I was investigating (at Target) and said "7.99 for a bottle? That's insane! A bottle should be no more than $1.99- all it is, is a tube of plastic with a plastic screw-cap and a rubber nipple slapped on top!" I tried to explain that it is only going to get worse from here. He then asked "can I register at Sears for some tools?" I said no, we don't register for tools for the baby...he protested "but I'm going to need tools to put all the baby crap together." He also wanted to know about Williams-Sonoma since he was going to need to "cook for the baby." He was of course kidding, but he was hoping that maybe other dads would have the same idea and they could start an uprising. My husband ladies and gentlemen.
By the way, he purchased two pink outfits for the baby yesterday...I told him he was going to regret that since we don't find out the gender until Thursday, but he remained insistent that it's a girl, and his daughter absolutely needs some pink outfits since the Lord knows I won't buy them. We shall see...

Exciting developments in home appliances

After much wailing and gnashing of teeth by me, Bryan finally conceeded to the puchase of a new vacuum today since our previous Hoover has failed to do much more than fill the house with dust and the smell of burnt plastic for over a year.
In December Bryan was awarded some funds which were to go toward a "night on the town" for us (i.e., expensive dinner, hotel etc) As going out on the town isn't in our near or distant future, I asked if we could use the funds toward the purchase of a new vacuum; he agreed. As it is President's day weekend, Sears had all vacuums 20-50% off, so we went today to pick up our new Kenmore, one that Consumer Reports rated as a best buy (when your stuck at home all day every day, you have time to do extensive research.) I never thought I'd be so excited about a vacuum, but this baby is pretty dang impressive! It's the best thing we've bought in ages! I guess anything would impress compared to the other, but wow! I gave it a whirl in the front living room, but that was more cardio than I've been accustomed too for a while, so I soon had to relinquish it to Bryan and lay back down. He finished vacuuming the family room for me, so I could enjoy a clean floor. You can immediately see a major difference...which was fairly disconcerting considering what we've been walking on until today.
Puck was most concerned with the new vacuum...I think it's because of the light on the front. He started wigging out when we turned it on, and just paced around Bryan while he gave it the preliminary run...Puck's reaction caused a great deal of entertainment for all.
It has been a big weekend for me...I left the house twice...my back is now completely sore and I'm wiped, but I was excited to be able to see something other than my living room.
Oh, and I no longer own a Volkswagon. We determined that since I'm not working, and the most I drive is to the doctor, a new fuel efficient car is no longer a major priority. (we bought it when I was teaching full-time and filling my gas tank 2 x's a week)
Bryan was able to work a deal with one of his dealerships, and they traded us my Jetta w/ 12,000 miles for a 1999 Jeep w/ 74,000miles- they gave us full value for the Jetta, and sold us the Jeep for what they had paid for it. We were able to cut our car payment in half as a result...and with the bambino coming and me not working, every little bit helps. Plus, because B works for Jeep, he can get service and parts at cost...we couldn't do that with my VW.

20 weeks

Okay, so I'm now officially 20 weeks preggo. I'm still on my IV, but next week I'm going to try to take one of my medications orally, instead of via the IV; we shall see what happens.. And the best news of the whole week was that this was our first week in over a month where we didn't have to go to the hospital! Small victories.
I'm off my potassium, which helps the nausea a little...hopefully this is a new positive trend.
The baby is really kicking now, Bryan still enjoys talking to my belly right at bedtime, so the baby gets all riled up and then falls asleep, while I'm left a human soccer ball.

Baby kicks, hospital visits and southern cooking

This week started out with a new home-health nurse pulling my pic line out a few centimeters. I ended up having to once again return to the ER to get it checked out Tuesday, which of course was the highlight of Bryan's and my week.
In other news, the baby has really been wiggling up a storm, and last night starting kicking with tremendous vigor. I grabbed Bryan's hand and placed it on my belly, the baby tried to kick it off. Bryan and I were both excited that the baby's kicks can now be enjoyed by both of us. Night time (usually after midnight) is when baby really comes to life, which I find especially lovely. :-) I think this child will probably be a star soccer player as my bladder has been serving as a soccer ball for the past few weeks. I can only imagine what the next few months will bring.
Finally, Bryan has been playing Master Chef this weekend. After watching famous southern cook Paula Deen on Oprah yesterday, Bryan went to the store to purchase all necessary ingrediants to re-create the featured foods. Last night we enjoyed home-made Southern fried chicken, cornbread, potatoes, green beans and corn. For dessert we enjoyed sour cream pound cake which included two sticks of butter in the cake, and one in the icing. MM MM MM.

Thinning the herd

Tonight a new home health nurse came out to change the dressing on my pic line. When she arrived, Bryan said "oh boy" while she was still in her car; as she entered I understood why. Her hair was white and stringy from what I can only describe as a bottle of bleach, her teeth were black, her hands were raw, red and shaky, and she reaked of cigarettes.
She came in very nervous and immediatly expressed concern about our dogs, who were in fact outside playing with each other. I had to reassure her that they were outside and wouldn't come in to get her.
While I was already a bit nervous, I tried to clear my head and told myself that even though her appearance left me nervous, to not judge a book by its cover...she could still be a great nurse. My concerns were not unfounded however, I came soon to find out.
After she opened her tackle box of supplies, she proceeded to remove the dressing from my pic line. First, the gloves she selected were two sizes too big, so her fingers kept sticking to the tape. Second, I had to talk her through the removal process, as she seemed completely confused by the whole procedure. She had failed to remove the tape from the actual site, but rather pulled everything from the other end of my arm, so when she came to the part where the line actually entered my arm, all the tape was stuck to itself and to the cord. As she started to pull the tape from my arm, she proceeded to pull the pic line out as well. I of course said "oh crap, my line is getting pulled again." She responded, "it's okay, I can just push it back in." Of course I immediately told her that there would be no pushing of any lines back into my arm. She tried to reason with me that she was concerned that the line would be too far out. I explained that I would rather she leave it out, secure it and let me get it re-checked tomorrow than have her shove it back in, since the last nurse did the same thing and put me in a situation where I had to go to the ER to get it fixed since she shoved it into my heart.
I had to continue explaining this to her for a few minutes before she understood that in fact there would be no pushing back in of the line. She put new tape on and said she was done. She didn't check my blood pressure, or my temperature. I asked if I needed to sign the form, but she said, no that won't be important this time.
She left thereafter and I immediately left a message with my doctor expressing my deep concern for the quality of nursing I am receiving at my home.
Needless to say I am pretty frustrated right now, and I have to admit I said some naughty words after she left.

Yet another visit to the hospital

I had the distinct pleasure of once again spending a day at the Tacoma General Hospital. Today was a little different however because I got to spend the day in the ER. You see, because I have a pic-line in my arm/heart, I have a home health nurse now. She is not so great. Her first visit she was over one hour late because she got lost on the way to the house; we eventually called her and led her here. Upon arrival, she went to change the dressing on my arm and sliced a small piece of skin off my inner bicep with her dirty scissors. This was of course after I said, "watch the skin" and she replied, "don't worry, I'm not going to cut you." She then proceeded to cut me.
Then Monday morn, I awoke to a bloody arm from the site where the catheter is. (not from the scissor cut, but for another unknown reason) I called the home health company who told me a nurse would be out that night. Monday night the arm-cutting nurse returned to my displeasure. She proceeded to remove the dressing and clean the area vigorously after it had bled all day. I asked her to be a little more gentle, she dismissed me. Soon thereafter, while scrubbing around the site, she yanked over an inch of the tube out of the site. I of course expressed concern to her pulling tubing from my arm. I must explain that when the catheter was put in my arm, it was a very delicate procedure and it had to be x-rayed to make certain it was placed in the right spot directly above my heart.
Anyway, when I expressed to her that I was concerned that she tugged a great deal of the meticulously-placed tubing from my bicep, she responded, "don't worry, it's fine," she then shoved it back in...the trouble is, immediately after she did this, I started to feel a tightness in my chest and my heart started to race.
The next day, after feeling tightness and pressure in my chest, especially when we were flushing my line, or adding medication, I spoke with someone from the nursing company regarding my chest tightness and discomfort. The lady on the phone told me I was probably just having an anxiety attack, and recommended not watching when the line was being flushed. I of course said this was not in fact the case, but rather the nurse messing with the line the night prior probably had something to do with it. There was no convinceing her, so I gave up and decided to tough it out.
Today, after another night of discomfort and a racing heart, I called again and spoke with a real-live nurse. After telling the story of Monday night's debacle, the nurse immediately started to freak out and told me to go straight to the hospital. I called my doctor to double-check and they agreed. We arrived at 12:45...it was after 6pm before I was seen. I watched the waiting room completely empty, (except for me,) and then refill twice before I won the prize. Finally I was seen by a doctor who took one look at the site and determined the line was too far in my arm. He pulled the dressing off and pulled it back a couple centimeters. As soon as he did, I felt immediate relief. (go figure) Of course I had to stay there for 2 hours just to be sure I wasn't having any other problems-I wasn't. We got home at 9:30.
The highlight of the evening was when a mentally unstable older woman (who was unwashed and barely dressed) was dumped off in the waiting room by the paramedics. She yelled at the staff and after being denied water, proceeded to stick her hand down her throat to make herself throw-up. She did this so much that the floor was covered, and it took 2 hours for the "environmental services" people to come clean it up.
Needless to say I'm still pretty cranky about the whole ordeal, and Bryan is so pissed he plans on calling the nursing company in the morning to request a new nurse as well as "open up a can."
I'm off to bed now, but will continue to update this as more adventures ensue.

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful

Many have you have requested photos of me in my pregnant state. I have thus obliged. However because I've been in and out of the hospital for the last 3 weeks and am pretty much bound to sitting as much as possible, I'm looking especially fabulous. :-) The sitting picture is how you would find me if you came to visit...sitting in the chair, hooked to an IV, heating pad on my neck, remote close by, caffeine free diet coke and a glass of water at the ready. (I've removed my bucket for the photo) ;-) It seems I spilled some water on my shirt...oh well, I'm doing the best I can.

In other news, my IV is running, but I'm still sick. My doctor has now ordered meds as well as fluids through the port. A nurse will be here tomorrow to switch me over.
My kidneys are working better now, but my blood pressure is still really low and my heart is 98-1120 beats per minute. I have been advised by the home health nurse to stay sitting as much as I can, with my feet elevated; the low blood pressure makes me pretty dizzy. Although you can't tell, in the past 2 weeks, I've lost almost 15 lbs...I've gained 2 back, but I assume that's just fluid. Me legs are pretty scrawny under the sweat pants; I've got no muscle tone left, and the sitting all day is only adding to the weakness. We'll keep updating this as more information is available.