Hahaha, my mother in law recommended that I register myself on myehealth.ca to check out my lab information any time I want.
In creating this, they ask you to create a security pass phrase. Mine is, "I like big butts and I cannot lie." My hubby has a rump that just won't quit. :) I am a very lucky girl.
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Hypothyroidism, oh the bane of my existence.
In 2010, I found out that I have an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto's Disease. You get it from radiation exposure - or in my case, my grandmother had radiation exposure in the Hiroshima bombing and her eggs were exposed to the radiation. My father had no symptoms of this disease (aside from hypoglycemia, some short term memory loss (maybe), and possible slight hormonal imbalances with growth.
Apparently, Hashimoto's Disease can affect your thyroid in quite a few ways, but how it affects me is through my Progesterone levels. It really screws everything up. I develop cysts in my ovaries (causes polycystic ovarian syndrome), causes short term memory loss (messes with the recall function of my brain), hairloss (literally clumps fall out sometimes), Anemia (iron deficiency & intolerance), hypoglycemia, and more.
Luckily in the past, I've just had to take the basic Ethinyl Estradiol (orthocyclen birth control medication), to regulate my hormones. This quick fix makes it so I can have children (surprisingly enough) through having a regular ovulation cycle. We just have to stop taking it during the week of the placebo period, have a full menstrual cycle (that promotes a healthy ovulation), and then around 14 days later (or whenever my basal temperature reads high), make love & wait for the results.
My husband has freakin' awesome swimmers. I've been pregnant 7 times with him, but with 5 miscarriages (due to the lack of progesterone).
About a week or two after intercourse, I will begin the blood tests to validate the pregnancy. If we were successful, then I will automatically start hormone replacement therapy with progesterone supplementation.
After 12 weeks, we are in the clear! :)
So being Roman Catholic has to throw a wrench into our plans, hey? How ethical is this? Would the church agree with me using birth control (and for such a long time to boot)?
The difference between my situation and other peoples' is the fact that I'm not using it to prevent pregnancy. I use it to prevent unnecessary death and help sustain life. I'm not just phrasing this in a way that helps me sleep at night. With a diagnosed autoimmune disease, my body beats itself up; ridding myself of any outside intruders, such as a baby. I can become pregnant, but without proper ovulation (creation of a proper uterus lining) and progesterone supplementation, the little guys can't velcro themselves onto my womb well enough or don't develop a proper umbilical cord and suffocate.
After 6 miscarriages, knowing that my body does this to these little angels, I had to help them live.
Then Isabelle was born - completely healthy. Super complicated pregnancy (because of the hormonal treatments). I had gestational diabetes, with insulin injections 4 times a day. I was 97lbs and 5'1", when I started pregnancy. The diabetes was completely genetic, lol. I gained almost 80lbs and was close to 180 in delivery. I was diagnosed with polyhydramnious (excessive fluid in the amniotic sac), severe edema, hypertension, placental failure, & with a macrosomia baby. I was so heavy that my body could not support my new weight & my hips would pop out.
Izzy was born at 37 weeks on the dot (slightly earlier than expected) with an emergency induction, 24 hours of labor, then emergency caesarean section. She was 7lbs 6oz, my perfect sized little baby.
She had completely perfect stats and was an amazing baby.
After about 10 months, we tried for the next child but this time without the use of birth control helping ovulation. I immediately got pregnant but miscarried again.
This was the worst miscarriage that I've ever gone through - physically & mentally. Maybe it's because I had a baby already and had all this excitement, plans, & love for the new baby.
I went back on birth control and a month later, when Izzy was now 12 months, we got pregnant with Kesler.
(haha I'm totally crying as I type this. This definitely is word therapy, for sure!)
Immediately, I went on progesterone supplements and started the hormone replacement therapy. After 12 weeks, we were in the clear - and after 16 weeks, we found out that we were having a boy!! I was going to have a million dollar family. Something that I never thought would happen with my circumstances.
God is great. <3
I did have some issues with pregnancy this time around as well. I had no weight gain (hardly). I started pregnancy at 113lbs and ended at 130lbs and ALLLLLLL belly! My little man just sucked the life out of me from day one and I was diagnosed with Hyperemesis Gravidarum. I literally puked the entire pregnancy my guts out - being hospitalized once for dehydration. It was definitely a rough pregnancy!
At 35 weeks, this little impatient man (hehehe) kept bouncing his head against my cervix and wanted out! He caused major pre-labor contractions. It started at 5 minutes apart to 3 minutes apart and quite severe. Severe enough to go to the hospital and have them check. I was 2cm dilated, but not changing.
I stayed at the hospital for 5 days in Pre-Labor. Yes, that's moderately painful contractions every 3 minutes for 5 days. By the end of it, I jokingly asked the nurses to kill me, lol. Finally at 36 weeks, the saint that Dr. Benoit is, he took Kesler out.
I still carry the guilt that I wish I could have held on for 7 more days - just so Kes could've been born at 37 weeks.
Kesler was born premature at 36 weeks at 6lbs 2oz. He was about a month early so he had the typical premature baby ailments, like respiratory issues, feeding issues, & bradycardia. Kesler stayed in the Neonatal Intensive-Care Unit for 4 weeks (basically because of the bradycardia) and Christopher and I went to the hospital 3-6 times a day for feeding times and love.
This was the hardest part for me (as choke back tears). Leaving my baby at the hospital. I know I wasn't leaving him forever, but walking away from there broke my heart,
every single time. I never got desensitized from leaving the hospital and would end up bawling in the car. I was so emotionally distraught during this time that I even left my husband, Isabelle, & Father in Law on Christmas Eve, to sleep at the Hospital - just so Kesler would not be alone on Christmas.
All in all, I apologize again for my wacko craziness. The mama-bear in me just was nuts over protecting my babies and I truly felt that my little man needed me.
On January 15th, 4 weeks and 3 days after he was born (actually - his original due date), he arrived home!! My Mommy was there to greet my little bundle as she was here for a month helping me with Isabelle, Kesler, & my recovery.
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This is where we're at right now.
The Brown family.
Christopher, Christine Michie, Isabelle Marie, & Kesler Jacob.
....& these are my little babies...that are not so little and frail any more.
Isabelle Marie is 3 years old & Kesler Jacob is now 16 months! :)
How time flies, hey?