The Family Genes

Man has God been throwing missiles at me and Brandon over the last few weeks. I have really been down and out, which is why I haven't posted but then today I realized that blogging is medicinal and I need to be doing what I feel I should be, which is keeping everyone updated about our journey to parenthood, plus release some stress by typing what is on my heart and mind.

May 29th (last Wednesday) I went back to Dr. P for an insulin resistance follow up. I was only down about 2.5 lbs which is terrible I know. The previous 4 weeks were more than stressful and I eat when I am upset or stressed out and worried about something. I guess the technical term for that is an "emotional eater"...But that is me and that is how I cope, along with many other things. Dr. P kept telling me that being "down" any amount of weight is a very positive thing, no matter the exact number. To me, I am looking at the number. 15-20 lbs a month is a goal of mine and I have been hitting it with about 10 to 12 lbs a month until the last month. But otherwise it was a very long, drawn out appointment since we couldn't really make any permanent decisions on a treatment option due to the fact I have not been released from my Internist to resume any stimulation because of my blood pressure issues at the moment. I have been on hold from that and will continue to be on hold until lots of underlying issues are resolved. We discussed a change up on the diet plan and we increased my metformin to 2,000mg daily which is the highest dose we can go to. My vitamin D levels are right where they want them so we have decreased the 50,000 IU dose once weekly to about 10,000 IU weekly spread out. My thyroid levels have gotten right where they want them for conception so that is great to know but we have continued the Synthroid to maintain those levels. Otherwise, we go back June 12th for Brandon to do another semen analysis to see if the HCG injections are working to increase his sperm count. We will also discuss out options once again at this point so that when my BP gets under control we can go ahead with whatever it may be. I will go back June 26th for another IR follow up and to go over lab results again. The story of our lives!

Now, besides the May 29th, disappointing appointment once again, we have had a lot more going on medically. My headaches have not subsided and neither has the chest pain. I had to have an Urgent Echo done on Thursday last week which was not normal (more on that further down this post) and Monday this week, Brandon was rushed from work to the hospital in Lake City via rescue because they assumed he was having a heart attack (scared to death is an understatement of how I felt). Heart attack was ruled out and it turns out he was in Atrial Fibrillation which is an abnormal heart rhythm or arrhythmia. His heart rate was 199 when he arrived. He was admitted and monitored Monday night with no change from just the meds alone, so they decided to cardiovert him which is where they put him under anesthesia and shock his heart in hopes of putting it back in normal sinus rhythm. I was a basket case because I was at home when I got the call, getting ready for a job interview. Luckily and by the grace of God, I made it back in time to see him before they did the procedure. I was so thankful my Nana and Papa was there with me because I was so scared and worried. Thankfully, the procedure worked, for now and hopefully forever, and his heart is beating a little fast but in a normal sinus rhythm. PRAISE OUR ALMIGHTY GOD!!! He got discharged to come home last night under the conditions that he has someone here at home to monitor him and keep an eye on him for about 48 to 72 hours (lucky me!!). I wouldn't have it any other way because God has shown me that I need to focus on what is most important in my life. Material things and worrying about jobs and money have no affect on our LIFE in general. Our health is the most important thing other than our relationship with the One and the Only! My husband and my family are my first priorities and they haven't been prior to this. My health too. If I plan on being a Mommy then I better start paying closer attention to things.

Now about my abnormal Echo-cardiogram....turns out, my pulmonary valve in my heart is not functioning properly. Also the pressure in my pulmonary artery is extremely low. I have to do a STAT sleep study to make sure I am not stopping breathing while I am sleeping. My lungs are not getting adequate blood flow because of the valve malfunctioning. But the good thing is, we are getting it figured out. This could be the cause of my extremely high blood pressure, headaches and the reason I feel like I have been hit by a truck all day from morning to night. Even though I sleep all night and don't wake up, I still feel exhausted from the beginning of morning. We are focused on this right now and the headaches and everything else will be taken care of after. This is most important right now. So please keep this in your prayers! That my doctors will get it figured out ASAP!

So, since at the ripe young ages of 26 and 27 we feel like we are falling apart....We weren't blessed with great family genes and there is nothing we can do about that but we definitely have learned that living a healthy lifestyle is very very important. Even losing 51 lbs myself and with Brandon losing 90 lbs, we still have a long way to go but God will get us there. We trust in the Lord and that He will get us both back where we need to be and that is in baby making mode!!! Please continue to pray for us on this journey! We are having some pretty serious setbacks but they are all for a good reason and God's reasons for things are important. He will never give us more than we can handle, even though I feel like He has WAY too much trust in me right now! I know He loves us and will take care of us!