Saturday, March 25, 2006
AND THEN TO TOP IT OFF
To add insult to injury, the doctor also said that until Kameryn's born I shouldn't have any soda or chocolate because the caffeine will speed up her heart. And it's harder than you think to quit! I told my mom about it this morning and then had a big ol' glass of chocolate milk, not even thinking! Plus we have my birthday pies still, and it's just so mean to say I can't have a slice when they're just sitting there in all their seducing chocolate-y goodness.
Checking Baby's Heart
Last time we went to my regular Dr.'s appointment, Dr. Mears was listening to Kameryn's heart and noticed that it skipped a beat. She gave me an ultrasound and set me up to a monitor, which for those of you who don't know is basically them velcro-ing a microphone to your stomach and listening to the baby's heartbeat, but it also prints out a paper like an EKG machine. She said that from what she could tell Kameryn Lee looked okay, her heart had great fluctuations and she could tell by the ultrasound that she was swallowing the ambiotic fluid like she should, but she still wanted to send me to a specialist.
So this Friday I went to the Woman's Pavillion at St. Mark's hospital to have a specialist look at her heart. We didn't geta doctor right away, we hada sonographer come in and look at her first, and despite it being a nerve-racking visit to see if my baby was in distress, he made it kind-of fun. He measured Kameryn's head and brain, her abdomen and checked her kidneys, stomach, liver and bladder, checked her legs, verified that she was a girl, looked at my placenta which is perfectly placed, and also looked at the blood flow coming in from the umbilical cord, which also looks good. My favorite part was when he showed us her face. She's got big ol' chubby cheeks! We couldn't see down past her top lip because she had her arm up over her face sucking on her wrist. She looked so sweet, it was fun to see her move, but she definatly had an attitude as well. She kept kicking when the sonographer would press on her. I couldn't help lauhging. She's always been an active baby. She seems to catch doctors off guard with her attentiveness and reactions.
They did have to have another doctor come in and do another ultrasound, but they've determined that her heart is okay. It beats normally, and then after about 6 normal beats it gets ahead of itself and wants to fire off a beat before it should. Then it sounds like it skips the beat, but it's the heart catching itself back up, and then she beats normally again. They say it's something we should watch, but she'll probably be fine, we just need to make sure that her heart doesn't continue to get faster. He says he wants me on the baby monitor at my regular doctors office every week and for 30 minutes each time, but he's not too worried about it.
So, luckilly she's doing well and we don't have to worry about her coming early. Which is good, because I still can't completely grasp the fact that I'm having a baby and I only have 5 weeks and 6 days left! I already can't believe how fast it goes by, I see Danae sick in her first trimester and Jay will tell me, "You were the same way!" And I don't remember it. Hopefully that will be true of labor, too. Danae will be like, "Oh man, it was awful! It hurt so much!" And I'll be like, "Did it?" Maybe that's why you're so sleep deprived after having a baby, they need to wipe away your memories of labor if they want any brothers or sisters!
So this Friday I went to the Woman's Pavillion at St. Mark's hospital to have a specialist look at her heart. We didn't geta doctor right away, we hada sonographer come in and look at her first, and despite it being a nerve-racking visit to see if my baby was in distress, he made it kind-of fun. He measured Kameryn's head and brain, her abdomen and checked her kidneys, stomach, liver and bladder, checked her legs, verified that she was a girl, looked at my placenta which is perfectly placed, and also looked at the blood flow coming in from the umbilical cord, which also looks good. My favorite part was when he showed us her face. She's got big ol' chubby cheeks! We couldn't see down past her top lip because she had her arm up over her face sucking on her wrist. She looked so sweet, it was fun to see her move, but she definatly had an attitude as well. She kept kicking when the sonographer would press on her. I couldn't help lauhging. She's always been an active baby. She seems to catch doctors off guard with her attentiveness and reactions.
They did have to have another doctor come in and do another ultrasound, but they've determined that her heart is okay. It beats normally, and then after about 6 normal beats it gets ahead of itself and wants to fire off a beat before it should. Then it sounds like it skips the beat, but it's the heart catching itself back up, and then she beats normally again. They say it's something we should watch, but she'll probably be fine, we just need to make sure that her heart doesn't continue to get faster. He says he wants me on the baby monitor at my regular doctors office every week and for 30 minutes each time, but he's not too worried about it.
So, luckilly she's doing well and we don't have to worry about her coming early. Which is good, because I still can't completely grasp the fact that I'm having a baby and I only have 5 weeks and 6 days left! I already can't believe how fast it goes by, I see Danae sick in her first trimester and Jay will tell me, "You were the same way!" And I don't remember it. Hopefully that will be true of labor, too. Danae will be like, "Oh man, it was awful! It hurt so much!" And I'll be like, "Did it?" Maybe that's why you're so sleep deprived after having a baby, they need to wipe away your memories of labor if they want any brothers or sisters!
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Despite Myself
Last night we went and saw "V for Vendetta" and at one point V holds up a needle and syringe, and for the rest of the scene I was completely distracted wondering where he was going to throw it away since there wasn't a Sharp's container anywhere.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Today was my birthday and once again my family has spoiled me rotten. Dad came up for dinner despite his car troubles, Mom made me the best beef stroganoff ever and bought me birthday pies, Wesley called and talked to me from Alaska, Allison also called and talked to me a couple times and made an excellent "Top 10" list that cracked me up. Danae gave me Dead Poets Society which absolutely rocks because of how upset I was the other day when I wanted to watch it and couldn't find it anywhere, Chelsee went above and beyond with buying me baby outfits, blankets and burp cloths, and Geoffrey taught us all an important birthday lesson: The holy land is in Africa.
I love all you guys, thank you so much for everything. I appreciate all of you remembering and everything you do for me.
I love all you guys, thank you so much for everything. I appreciate all of you remembering and everything you do for me.
Friday, March 17, 2006
Monday, March 13, 2006
WHY YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH JAY WHILE HE'S SLEEPING:
"Hey Jay, are you hungry?"
"No, I don't feel good."
"Why don't you feel good?"
"My stomach is upset."
"Did you eat something that upset your stomach?"
"No, someone filled my ears with food."
"What does that mean?"
Jay, getting frustrated, "It means that someone filled my ears with soup and now I don't feel good!"
Me: "Did they use a funnel?"
Jay, even more frustrated. "NO, THEY USED A WAND! ....STOP LAUGHING AT ME!"
But really, when you think about it, it makes perfect sense. The kid doesn't feel good because some asshole filled his ears with soup and gave him an upset stomach. Silly for me to even need to ask!
"Hey Jay, are you hungry?"
"No, I don't feel good."
"Why don't you feel good?"
"My stomach is upset."
"Did you eat something that upset your stomach?"
"No, someone filled my ears with food."
"What does that mean?"
Jay, getting frustrated, "It means that someone filled my ears with soup and now I don't feel good!"
Me: "Did they use a funnel?"
Jay, even more frustrated. "NO, THEY USED A WAND! ....STOP LAUGHING AT ME!"
But really, when you think about it, it makes perfect sense. The kid doesn't feel good because some asshole filled his ears with soup and gave him an upset stomach. Silly for me to even need to ask!
Sunday, March 12, 2006
A LIST OF BABY LISTS
Things That I'm Completely Excited For:
1. Seeing my baby for the first time. I have this idea in my head of what it will be like to have them hand her to me for the first time, and I think it will be one of the greatest moments in my life, topped only by the same moment with my other kids, if I choose to have other kids. I'm excited to meet her and have her meet me.
2. Watching Jay with her. Jay has wanted to start a family since I first knew him. My sister-in-law joked with me when we told her we were getting married that I should expect to have a baby right away, because it's all Jay has wanted as long as she's known him. I know all dad's are taken with their children, but I think Jay will bring loving and spoiling his baby to a whole new level! :)
3. Watching her grow up. I'm a little scared of her when she's brand new, I'm counting on my mom being there to make sure I get through it. New babies are so fragile and helpless, I'm scared of needing to be everything for this baby and then coming up short. But I'll love it as she gets older and learns to laugh and to coo.
Things I'm Terrified Of:
1. Everything. I don't know how women do it, honestly. I watch women do it from afar, and I see that after you have a baby you're it's feeding source and it's protection and it's security. And on top of that you're sore and you're sleep deprived, and yet you have to step up and be everything for this baby because that's what it's counting on you to do.
2. And you do it because you love them. Right off the bat, you love them, or that's what I've heard. And I think loving something that much is scary. I watch moms bring their babies in when their babies are sick and it's hard to tell which one is more miserable, the baby who is feeling worse than it ever has in it's life up to this point, or the mom, who has to sit back and watch and can't do anything.
3. Myself. I'm not a nice person when I'm hungry or tired. Ask my husband. I'm scared of the way this baby is going to test me and I'm scared I'm gonna come up short.
Things I'm Grateful For:
1. Despite my bitching, I'm incredibly grateful for the fact that Jay and I can have kids. It wasn't planned and she may not come when it would be easiest for us, but there are people out there who have to try for YEARS to have kids, and some who never can. I'm happy that we're not in that group.
2. My family and friends. Everyone has been so supportive of us, and I really appreciate it. I especially love that I know my mom's gonna take a week off of work to help me and be with me, because I really feel like I'll be learning from the best.
3. Jay. He loves our baby so much already, and he's been everything I've needed him to be. He cooks for me, he comes to every appointment with me, and he's excited and scared with me. Single moms, I don't know how you do it. I think you're incredibly brave and strong. I'm glad I don't have to be that way and I have my husband with me on this one.
Things That I'm Completely Excited For:
1. Seeing my baby for the first time. I have this idea in my head of what it will be like to have them hand her to me for the first time, and I think it will be one of the greatest moments in my life, topped only by the same moment with my other kids, if I choose to have other kids. I'm excited to meet her and have her meet me.
2. Watching Jay with her. Jay has wanted to start a family since I first knew him. My sister-in-law joked with me when we told her we were getting married that I should expect to have a baby right away, because it's all Jay has wanted as long as she's known him. I know all dad's are taken with their children, but I think Jay will bring loving and spoiling his baby to a whole new level! :)
3. Watching her grow up. I'm a little scared of her when she's brand new, I'm counting on my mom being there to make sure I get through it. New babies are so fragile and helpless, I'm scared of needing to be everything for this baby and then coming up short. But I'll love it as she gets older and learns to laugh and to coo.
Things I'm Terrified Of:
1. Everything. I don't know how women do it, honestly. I watch women do it from afar, and I see that after you have a baby you're it's feeding source and it's protection and it's security. And on top of that you're sore and you're sleep deprived, and yet you have to step up and be everything for this baby because that's what it's counting on you to do.
2. And you do it because you love them. Right off the bat, you love them, or that's what I've heard. And I think loving something that much is scary. I watch moms bring their babies in when their babies are sick and it's hard to tell which one is more miserable, the baby who is feeling worse than it ever has in it's life up to this point, or the mom, who has to sit back and watch and can't do anything.
3. Myself. I'm not a nice person when I'm hungry or tired. Ask my husband. I'm scared of the way this baby is going to test me and I'm scared I'm gonna come up short.
Things I'm Grateful For:
1. Despite my bitching, I'm incredibly grateful for the fact that Jay and I can have kids. It wasn't planned and she may not come when it would be easiest for us, but there are people out there who have to try for YEARS to have kids, and some who never can. I'm happy that we're not in that group.
2. My family and friends. Everyone has been so supportive of us, and I really appreciate it. I especially love that I know my mom's gonna take a week off of work to help me and be with me, because I really feel like I'll be learning from the best.
3. Jay. He loves our baby so much already, and he's been everything I've needed him to be. He cooks for me, he comes to every appointment with me, and he's excited and scared with me. Single moms, I don't know how you do it. I think you're incredibly brave and strong. I'm glad I don't have to be that way and I have my husband with me on this one.
WESLEY
Today is Wesley's birthday, and Wes, I just want to say Happy Birthday and that I love you. There are so many things I admire about you, and one of them is that you always do your own thing, be it teaching English in China or studying for a semester at Cambridge or writing for a paper in Alaska, you always seem content to re-invent yourself and your surroundings and you do it with a total grace, you make it seem so easy. I like that you're so intelligent and that you also have an artistic side to you that keeps you doing plays and musicals. I wish you were closer so I could watch them. And I love it when you're around. You're fun to talk to and you're fun to laugh with. I think it's so awesome that you're coming down to see my baby and I can't wait to see you.
Happy birthday, Wes. I wish you all the best.
Today is Wesley's birthday, and Wes, I just want to say Happy Birthday and that I love you. There are so many things I admire about you, and one of them is that you always do your own thing, be it teaching English in China or studying for a semester at Cambridge or writing for a paper in Alaska, you always seem content to re-invent yourself and your surroundings and you do it with a total grace, you make it seem so easy. I like that you're so intelligent and that you also have an artistic side to you that keeps you doing plays and musicals. I wish you were closer so I could watch them. And I love it when you're around. You're fun to talk to and you're fun to laugh with. I think it's so awesome that you're coming down to see my baby and I can't wait to see you.
Happy birthday, Wes. I wish you all the best.
Friday, March 03, 2006
ANYONE WANT TO PLAY?!
The other night Jay and I were talking before we went to bed about when we thought Kameryn would finally come. He says he's always had the feeling that she'll come a few days early and be born at the end of April, I think she's gonna come a few days after my due date, probably around May 9th or 10th. Anyone else want to weigh in? I'm not sure what the winner will get, but I'll try and think of something really cool....
The other night Jay and I were talking before we went to bed about when we thought Kameryn would finally come. He says he's always had the feeling that she'll come a few days early and be born at the end of April, I think she's gonna come a few days after my due date, probably around May 9th or 10th. Anyone else want to weigh in? I'm not sure what the winner will get, but I'll try and think of something really cool....
Yesterday driving home I saw a bumper sticker on some guy's really nice black truck that just ruined the whole thing for me. It said REDNECK in bold letters, and the letters were colored so that the word made a confederate flag. To me, this is the equivilant of buying a bumper sticker that says, "I'm a worthless ignorant dumb-shit" and putting it on your car. Maybe I should do it and see how many I sell.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
I have to say, and I know this is random, but right now I feel bad for the hockey team, the Utah Grizzlies. They're playing Alaska tonight IN ALASKA, and come on, who are you gonna cheer for in that one? The little Utah Desert team or the team that was BORN ON THE ICE?! And more than that, I bet the Alaskan team is like, "Dude, Utah Boys, have you ever even SEEN a Grizzly?" And the Utah team is gonna have to be like, "Yeah, in the zoo once." Come on now. Hopefully the Alaskan team will be nice. But I, for one, will not be surprised if the Utah boys come home with their spirits broken. Alaska is just better suited for it, guys. Sorry about that one.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
THINGS I ENJOY
This morning on the radio they were talking about how people are so quick to send out hate mail or critisisms, and never think to say anything about the things that they thouroughly enjoy and appreciate. I think that's an excellent point to work on, being a little less quick with speaking up about what I HATE and instead talking about things that I really enjoy. So here's a breif list that won't even come close to covering everything and I will feel free to add onto when I feel like it.
Things I Enjoy:
1.Playing Scrabble with my mom, Jay and Geoffrey. Even though Mom and Geoffrey consistantly kick my ass. I also like playing text twist with the same group because we're freaking geniuses at it. Has anyone else gotten 150,000 points on that game? I think not.
2.Playing cards, be it Pinochle (spelling?!) with Gary and Danae, Nerts with Kim and Abby or Hand and Foot with anyone who's willing to sit and play.
3.Watching American Idol at Danae's house with a big ol' Dr. Pepper. :) Can you see Wesley cringe while reading that one?!
4. Being with Jay. You'd think since we've been together for almost 5 years now the appeal would wear off, but it really hasn't. I love it because he's fun to be with and we make each other laugh and are consistantly making up little games that other people would probably laugh at, but we stay entertained.
5. Knowing that Danae is pregnant. Everything about that is so exciting to me, I'm excited for her and hope that she loves being pregnant as much as I do. And I also hope I can support her with her pregnancy as much as she's supported me through mine.
So there it is, A Tuesday morning list of things I enjoy. And don't worry, I'm sure there will be lots of hate mail and critisisms from me again shortly. :)
This morning on the radio they were talking about how people are so quick to send out hate mail or critisisms, and never think to say anything about the things that they thouroughly enjoy and appreciate. I think that's an excellent point to work on, being a little less quick with speaking up about what I HATE and instead talking about things that I really enjoy. So here's a breif list that won't even come close to covering everything and I will feel free to add onto when I feel like it.
Things I Enjoy:
1.Playing Scrabble with my mom, Jay and Geoffrey. Even though Mom and Geoffrey consistantly kick my ass. I also like playing text twist with the same group because we're freaking geniuses at it. Has anyone else gotten 150,000 points on that game? I think not.
2.Playing cards, be it Pinochle (spelling?!) with Gary and Danae, Nerts with Kim and Abby or Hand and Foot with anyone who's willing to sit and play.
3.Watching American Idol at Danae's house with a big ol' Dr. Pepper. :) Can you see Wesley cringe while reading that one?!
4. Being with Jay. You'd think since we've been together for almost 5 years now the appeal would wear off, but it really hasn't. I love it because he's fun to be with and we make each other laugh and are consistantly making up little games that other people would probably laugh at, but we stay entertained.
5. Knowing that Danae is pregnant. Everything about that is so exciting to me, I'm excited for her and hope that she loves being pregnant as much as I do. And I also hope I can support her with her pregnancy as much as she's supported me through mine.
So there it is, A Tuesday morning list of things I enjoy. And don't worry, I'm sure there will be lots of hate mail and critisisms from me again shortly. :)
Monday, February 27, 2006
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT MY MOM
Obviously, this would be quite a long list if I were to sit down and talk about everything. I've lived with my mom for almost a year now and have gone through my entire pregnancy in her house, so there's tons of things that she's done and DOES DO for me all the time that she does because she loves me. Cleaning the cat litter is one. I'm not allowed to because I'm pregnant, and Jay isn't very good at remembering, never has been. We have 4 cats between the two of us. That's a LOT of cat litter. But she does it and she never complains. She's a stud like that.
One thing that I have to say I love about my mom is that if you tell her you've written on your blog, SHE KNOWS WHAT A BLOG IS! Not only that, SHE HAS A BLOG OF HER OWN!!! I know it's not a big deal, but there are SO many people out there that don't even know how to access the Internet anymore, and my mom is totally on top of it. Last night at Jay's parents house we had to tell his mom, "Okay, now click on that icon twice and wait until the little hourglass appears..." And honestly, in the meantime I was thinking, "Oh man, I'm so glad my mom isn't this out of touch."
Another thing I love about my mom is how cute she is. For example, on Saturday morning she got a new bear (for reasons to be discussed later) and then afterward we were playing cards. You should have seen how she held that bear the whole time. Honestly like it was a baby, and when it was her turn to shuffle the cards she'd say, "You hold him" and pass him off instead of holding him awkwardly. I can't wait for her to hold my baby. I know that Kameryn will know how much her Grandma loves her just by how she's held.
Last week we went down to my Dad's to hang out with him and play some games. On the way back I told my mom that I was hungry, and so she stopped at a gas station and told me to get something that would tide me over. Nothing looked good, so I just got a soda and told her that would be enough. And then I thanked her, and she said, "Well, I would've bought you anything." My mom has always been like that.
I hope you know, Mom, how much the little stuff means to me. I think you are so awesome and such an amazing woman. I hope you know that I would do anything for you.
Obviously, this would be quite a long list if I were to sit down and talk about everything. I've lived with my mom for almost a year now and have gone through my entire pregnancy in her house, so there's tons of things that she's done and DOES DO for me all the time that she does because she loves me. Cleaning the cat litter is one. I'm not allowed to because I'm pregnant, and Jay isn't very good at remembering, never has been. We have 4 cats between the two of us. That's a LOT of cat litter. But she does it and she never complains. She's a stud like that.
One thing that I have to say I love about my mom is that if you tell her you've written on your blog, SHE KNOWS WHAT A BLOG IS! Not only that, SHE HAS A BLOG OF HER OWN!!! I know it's not a big deal, but there are SO many people out there that don't even know how to access the Internet anymore, and my mom is totally on top of it. Last night at Jay's parents house we had to tell his mom, "Okay, now click on that icon twice and wait until the little hourglass appears..." And honestly, in the meantime I was thinking, "Oh man, I'm so glad my mom isn't this out of touch."
Another thing I love about my mom is how cute she is. For example, on Saturday morning she got a new bear (for reasons to be discussed later) and then afterward we were playing cards. You should have seen how she held that bear the whole time. Honestly like it was a baby, and when it was her turn to shuffle the cards she'd say, "You hold him" and pass him off instead of holding him awkwardly. I can't wait for her to hold my baby. I know that Kameryn will know how much her Grandma loves her just by how she's held.
Last week we went down to my Dad's to hang out with him and play some games. On the way back I told my mom that I was hungry, and so she stopped at a gas station and told me to get something that would tide me over. Nothing looked good, so I just got a soda and told her that would be enough. And then I thanked her, and she said, "Well, I would've bought you anything." My mom has always been like that.
I hope you know, Mom, how much the little stuff means to me. I think you are so awesome and such an amazing woman. I hope you know that I would do anything for you.
Sunday, February 26, 2006
I've Already Failed...
First of all, I have to say that in my "What to Expect When You're Expecting" book it says by this point you "May be getting bored with your pregnancy and wonder why people won't talk about anything else." Well, I'll be the first to admit that I'm the one that won't talk about anything else. And while I want to be a deep, intellectual yet comedic blog writer, the truth is I'm pregnant and at this point, I totally love it. So if you don't want to hear pregnancy stories, I've got a list of other people's incredible blogs that you should read. If you want to read mine, I hope you'll forgive my excitement.
So yesterday after the family had left from having breakfast and playing games all together I went downstairs because I wasn't feeling too well, and Jay saw me lying down not wanting to move as a perfect oppurtunity to read Harry Potter to the baby. So he gets Harry Potter out and positions himself so he's reading right next to my stomach and starts reading about Dumbledore coming to get Harry from the Dirsley's early in the summer and telling him he'd inhereited Serius Black's house and the House Elf was his now, and I feel myself drifting off to sleep. So he keeps nudging me to make sure I'm listening, even though I really don't know why I have to listen while he reads to the baby....and after awhile he asks me if I heard the last part and I have to admit I've been sleeping and have no idea what he said. So he says, "Well, do you just want me to stop reading?"
And Kameryn went crazy. She kicked me so hard and for so long it was obvious that something had gotten her quite upset. Obviously she had been thouroughly entertained and wanted to know what happened next to Harry.
I'll be the first to throw up my hands and say "One point for Jay." It sounds like our daughter is going to be a Harry Potter lover.
So yesterday after the family had left from having breakfast and playing games all together I went downstairs because I wasn't feeling too well, and Jay saw me lying down not wanting to move as a perfect oppurtunity to read Harry Potter to the baby. So he gets Harry Potter out and positions himself so he's reading right next to my stomach and starts reading about Dumbledore coming to get Harry from the Dirsley's early in the summer and telling him he'd inhereited Serius Black's house and the House Elf was his now, and I feel myself drifting off to sleep. So he keeps nudging me to make sure I'm listening, even though I really don't know why I have to listen while he reads to the baby....and after awhile he asks me if I heard the last part and I have to admit I've been sleeping and have no idea what he said. So he says, "Well, do you just want me to stop reading?"
And Kameryn went crazy. She kicked me so hard and for so long it was obvious that something had gotten her quite upset. Obviously she had been thouroughly entertained and wanted to know what happened next to Harry.
I'll be the first to throw up my hands and say "One point for Jay." It sounds like our daughter is going to be a Harry Potter lover.
Friday, February 24, 2006
REASONS I KNOW MY BABY WILL BE CRAZY
1. Because of who her dad is. :)
2. Because since I've been pregnant I crave buttery popcorn, tater tots, KitKats, and a recent addition, lemonade.
3. Because her dad reads her Harry Potter. And he started with Book 6.
4. Because when I feel her and press against her, she pushes back out against me.
5. Because any time Jay talks into my belly at her she dances up a storm.
6. Because since I've been pregnant with her I've been to a Tori Amos concert and a Nine Inch Nails concert.
7. Because of who her mom is...:)
1. Because of who her dad is. :)
2. Because since I've been pregnant I crave buttery popcorn, tater tots, KitKats, and a recent addition, lemonade.
3. Because her dad reads her Harry Potter. And he started with Book 6.
4. Because when I feel her and press against her, she pushes back out against me.
5. Because any time Jay talks into my belly at her she dances up a storm.
6. Because since I've been pregnant with her I've been to a Tori Amos concert and a Nine Inch Nails concert.
7. Because of who her mom is...:)
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Thank God for Doctors
I am incredibly fortunate because right now, I love my job. I even started full time this week and am working up front doing some of the receptionist work, and I still love it because it teaches me a different side of Medical Assisiting. Receptionists have to put up with a lot and they're asked such a huge range of questions, I think everyone should take a second and appreciate their local business receptionist. It's not just answering phones anymore! :)
Every job has it's irritants, though, and though I risk being dooced (for those of you who don't know, that means getting fired from your job for talking candidly about it on your blog) I think I should just list a few pointers so that the people I love will be better patients. Here are a list of my worktime pet peeves. If you do these, STOP.
1. When I call you back to go to your room and we stop at the scale, PLEASE do not let the words that come out of your mouth be, "Do I have to?" This is a question you can answer all on your own. Look at me. I'm nearly 8 months pregnant. If you refuse to stand on the scale I'm hardly going to pick you up and stand you on it and hold you there until you hold still. NO, YOU DON'T HAVE TO. Will it really irritate all of us if you don't? Probably. And when you stand there and your weight comes up, you don't need to explain to me why you weigh that much. Here's a hint....I really don't care. Honestly, I don't.
2. If you are consistantly taking a medication, please know what it's called. I know that I should know the medications better than I do. But ask Allison, there's a few more than you can just memorize over the weekend. So please, when I'm verifying your medications, don't say, "Well what's that one for?" And PLEASE don't say, "Well, is that the little blue one?" You put them in your mouth and swallow them. PLEASE be responsible enough to know what they're called.
3. It might not be common knowledge to everyone, but keep this is mind for me. Normal blood pressure is 120\80 - 130\90. If I check your blood pressure and tell you it's 182\102, please don't say, "Well is that bad?" Yeah. It's bad. It totally blows. But, alongside this point, you also don't need to explain to me why your blood pressure is high. Why? Because I don't care. Explaining it to me isn't gonna help you.
4. Don't yell at your medical assistant and then act really sweet to the doctor. It's not a huge deal, but it's just kinda irritating. And here's a tip. You come to see the doctor, but the medical assistants keep the office running. And when the doctor comes out and tells us to set up your colonoscopy....you might want to wish you had been a little bit nicer. I'm not saying ANY MA would put you through a miserable experience because we feel like it, but the honest truth of it is, we could if we wanted to. So don't tempt us. :)
Again, this is not me complaining about my job. If every patient of every day did all this stuff, I'd still love it. But keep it in mind. It will keep your next doctor's appointment running that much smoother.
I am incredibly fortunate because right now, I love my job. I even started full time this week and am working up front doing some of the receptionist work, and I still love it because it teaches me a different side of Medical Assisiting. Receptionists have to put up with a lot and they're asked such a huge range of questions, I think everyone should take a second and appreciate their local business receptionist. It's not just answering phones anymore! :)
Every job has it's irritants, though, and though I risk being dooced (for those of you who don't know, that means getting fired from your job for talking candidly about it on your blog) I think I should just list a few pointers so that the people I love will be better patients. Here are a list of my worktime pet peeves. If you do these, STOP.
1. When I call you back to go to your room and we stop at the scale, PLEASE do not let the words that come out of your mouth be, "Do I have to?" This is a question you can answer all on your own. Look at me. I'm nearly 8 months pregnant. If you refuse to stand on the scale I'm hardly going to pick you up and stand you on it and hold you there until you hold still. NO, YOU DON'T HAVE TO. Will it really irritate all of us if you don't? Probably. And when you stand there and your weight comes up, you don't need to explain to me why you weigh that much. Here's a hint....I really don't care. Honestly, I don't.
2. If you are consistantly taking a medication, please know what it's called. I know that I should know the medications better than I do. But ask Allison, there's a few more than you can just memorize over the weekend. So please, when I'm verifying your medications, don't say, "Well what's that one for?" And PLEASE don't say, "Well, is that the little blue one?" You put them in your mouth and swallow them. PLEASE be responsible enough to know what they're called.
3. It might not be common knowledge to everyone, but keep this is mind for me. Normal blood pressure is 120\80 - 130\90. If I check your blood pressure and tell you it's 182\102, please don't say, "Well is that bad?" Yeah. It's bad. It totally blows. But, alongside this point, you also don't need to explain to me why your blood pressure is high. Why? Because I don't care. Explaining it to me isn't gonna help you.
4. Don't yell at your medical assistant and then act really sweet to the doctor. It's not a huge deal, but it's just kinda irritating. And here's a tip. You come to see the doctor, but the medical assistants keep the office running. And when the doctor comes out and tells us to set up your colonoscopy....you might want to wish you had been a little bit nicer. I'm not saying ANY MA would put you through a miserable experience because we feel like it, but the honest truth of it is, we could if we wanted to. So don't tempt us. :)
Again, this is not me complaining about my job. If every patient of every day did all this stuff, I'd still love it. But keep it in mind. It will keep your next doctor's appointment running that much smoother.
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Anyone who's been pregnant will probably agree with me that pregnancy dreams are the weirdest dreams you'll ever have in your life. And beyond weird, they're vivid, so much in fact that when I wake up I have to concentrate to decipher if they were just dreams or real memories. Some of them have been very troubling, some of them have been quite comical. But I had one not too long ago that meant a lot to me.
In my dream I had gone to my sister Allison, who was the guru in the dream. (And most of you who know her will admit she is in real life as well.) And I asked her, simply, "What happens to us after we die?" She looked back directly at me and answered, "Nothing. Nothing happens to us after we die. It's the end for us." But then she went on to explain, "That's the reason that having your children is so important. You give the world to them. You need to raise them to look after the world for you after you're gone, and teach them to do the same thing with their children. That's the only way that you live on."
Looking back on the dream, the message seems slightly disturbing. I don't think any of us like to think that we die and that's the end of us. But in the dream it was such a beautiful idea, and made being a parent seem like such an awesome and invaluable experience.
I'm 30 weeks pregnant today, according to AmericanBaby.com, and have 10 weeks and 6 days to go. And I'm pretty much at the point where I want to say, "Alright, that's far enough. Let's put this whole pregnancy thing on pause and I'll do the last ten weeks when I'm really ready." That's not really working out for me though. And even though I know it's partial insanity, another part of me is thinking, "Alright, let's get this going. Bring it on. Let's get this baby out here so I can meet her." I feel like I really have a sense of her personality, though not in a way I can really explain to anyone else, and I think she'll be an awesome person to get to know. I'm excited for all the things that having her will teach me.
And so, at this point I'm left counting down the days and also scared of what it all means. One thing that I can take comfort in is that I have a husband that loves me and already loves and spoils our baby. I have a family that has been more than supportive and helpful through the whole thing, and I have a bunch of friends that are patient with me and get excited with me as the time goes on. So thank you guys for your love and support. I appreciate that I have such an awesome group of people to fall back on.
In my dream I had gone to my sister Allison, who was the guru in the dream. (And most of you who know her will admit she is in real life as well.) And I asked her, simply, "What happens to us after we die?" She looked back directly at me and answered, "Nothing. Nothing happens to us after we die. It's the end for us." But then she went on to explain, "That's the reason that having your children is so important. You give the world to them. You need to raise them to look after the world for you after you're gone, and teach them to do the same thing with their children. That's the only way that you live on."
Looking back on the dream, the message seems slightly disturbing. I don't think any of us like to think that we die and that's the end of us. But in the dream it was such a beautiful idea, and made being a parent seem like such an awesome and invaluable experience.
I'm 30 weeks pregnant today, according to AmericanBaby.com, and have 10 weeks and 6 days to go. And I'm pretty much at the point where I want to say, "Alright, that's far enough. Let's put this whole pregnancy thing on pause and I'll do the last ten weeks when I'm really ready." That's not really working out for me though. And even though I know it's partial insanity, another part of me is thinking, "Alright, let's get this going. Bring it on. Let's get this baby out here so I can meet her." I feel like I really have a sense of her personality, though not in a way I can really explain to anyone else, and I think she'll be an awesome person to get to know. I'm excited for all the things that having her will teach me.
And so, at this point I'm left counting down the days and also scared of what it all means. One thing that I can take comfort in is that I have a husband that loves me and already loves and spoils our baby. I have a family that has been more than supportive and helpful through the whole thing, and I have a bunch of friends that are patient with me and get excited with me as the time goes on. So thank you guys for your love and support. I appreciate that I have such an awesome group of people to fall back on.
Last time I talked to Allison on the phone she asked me why I hadn't started my own blog yet. I had been thinking about it, especially because I enjoy all the blogs I read so much and check them daily. So this morning I decided to start one and wrote out a long message that I thought would've been excellent for my first blog entry. Apparently someone somewhere disagreed, because I've been trying to get it posted for about 2 hours now and can't do it. So here is a new, different first blog and maybe after this works (or doesn't, as my luck has gone this morning) I can post the other, better first blog. Here it goes...
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