Today I had my regularly scheduled OB visit. I was anxious to go and talk to my doctor about all that has gone on the past few weeks. He is so great and sat with me for over 45 minutes talking about everything. He explained to me about what it means when my sodium and potassium levels are low and how it is nothing to mess around with. He said he isn't worried right now that they are a little off but just wants to keep a close tab on things and make sure we are constantly monitoring and adjusting what goes in my bags as needed. Low potassium and sodium can lead to some major problems with heart function and other things so it is important to watch. He said that when my level dropped to 3.1 that was concerning and he doesn't want that to happen again. I asked why things aren't getting better as far as the levels are concerned and he explained that it is kind of a double edged sword- my sodium and potassium are off due to the fact that I am getting intraveneous fluids. Since this is not a natural way for the body to get fluids it can sometimes throw electrolytes off. But of course NOT getting fluids isn't an option right now so we just have to adjust accordingly. He said that normally, people getting fluids don't have this problem with electrolytes especially if they are able to eat some like I am but he said I am just one of the unlucky ones.
I talked to him also about the fact that I am going back to work next week and am wondering how the heck I am going to run two bags a day. He agreed that having to get up so early every day to run a bag may run me down more which would defeat the purpose. He was fine with me trying one bag just at night starting next week when I go back to work. We will see how it goes and adjust with needed. There are some possibilities if I am still dehydrated- I could run two bags at night which would just take a long time or he even mentioned the possibility of running a quick saline bag straight into my PICC instead of using a pump over my lunch hour. Obviously its not ideal but those are possibilities we will explore if need be. My hope is that one bag will be okay and that I can continue to increase my fluid intake on my own.
I got to hear the baby's heartbeat today for the first time on my belly and it of course was great to hear. It was in the 150s and he found it way over on the right side of my belly so baby must be snuggled up in there right now. :) My OB actually does not need to see me again until my 20 week ultrasound appointment which isn't for five weeks. It seems like a long time not to go to the doctor but I will be seeing a nurse weekly and having bloodwork done and will be in contact with my doctor each week adjusting my fluids and what goes in my bag.
Finally, I asked him when he thought I might hope to get the PICC line out. Naively, going into the experience, my goal was to have it out within a month but that is obviously not happening. He was honest with me and said that if I were going to get it out soon, it would have already been taken out. He said he was hopeful that I would get better by 14 weeks but since I didn't it is really anyone's guess as to when I may be better and ready to be rid of the PICC. He did ask me to be prepared to keep it in until DELIVERY if necessary. He said that is not out of the realm of possibilities. That was hard to hear. I am glad that he was honest with me and that I am prepared for the worst but certainly hope my fate is different. He said he has had some patients get better around 25-30 weeks and others at various points before that. So basically I could wake up tomorrow and feel better or this could be the way things are until little one decides to make an appearance. Regardless, when and if I do start feeling a big improvement including keeping down a large amount of fluids on my own and no vomiting, I will call him and at that point he will take me off the fluids for the week and I will just flush my line daily to keep it from clotting. If I am able to make it a week, then we would pull the PICC. Right now I have set a goal for myself of 20 weeks. It is something to look forward to and hope for and if at that point, I am not feeling better, I will set a new goal. We will see and time will tell...
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