So on the same day that Frank went to that big ole junkyard in the sky, I had my gestational diabetes test.
We arrived and two of our usual vampires were checking people in. They were happy to see me, happy for the reason I was there, excited about my blooming belly. Did I get one of them?? OH NO! I had this vampire who finished her training about 10 seconds before she got to me to take my blood. She asked “Is your left arm OK?” I said my right was really better. “OK, put your left arm up here.” WTF??? Why ask if you aren’t going to listen?
I close my eyes and let her do her thing. Ray later said that at that point, she got out a blindfold for herself and a Bic pen to take my blood with. Now, I’ll fully admit I’m wuss when it comes to blood draws, but I soldiered up, stuck out my arm, closed my eyes and started taking my mind away. But when the needle went in and was rolling around in my arm trying to find the vein, I nearly lost it. 10 seconds. 20 seconds. 30 seconds. It got to the point where I felt myself getting faint and clammy and I burst out with “Could you please just stop and try my right arm?” and she snottily replied that it just went in. Ray later said that he and one of the other Phlebotimists both had their mouths open to suggest the same thing. I must have been quite green.
The whole time she was acting as thought it was MY problem that she had the grace and skill of a greased up carny worker. I did everything I was supposed to. I didn’t scream or call her any of the bad words I had on the tip of my tongue. I stuck my arm out, didn’t squirm and didn’t pass out. Not my fault she would be better in a career that requires little in the way of fine motor skills…
But that’s not even the worst part.
I failed the test. Big time. My sugar was 195.
There are a lot of possible complications of GD, both for me and for baby. I didn’t handle the news too well yesterday. I know there are a hundred thousand things that would be worse to find out, but it’s just so disappointing to be going through pregnancy so easily after such a hard path here and then find out there is something wrong. And while my diet wasn’t perfect all the time, I’ve also seen much worse. And while I didn’t exercise as much as I wanted, I’ve stayed active. It’s just disappointing. And scary. I’ve done a really good job throughout not freaking myself out at every turn over the stuff that happens but that doesn’t matter. Now I’m faced with not freaking myself out over something that actually could matter, and could matter quite a bit. Yesterday, I was a mess over it. Today is better, but I’m still feeling a little overwhelmed. I think I will until we get our official instructions.
There are some things I can do to help manage it with diet and exercise. If I’m not able to control it that way, I’ll need to go on some oral medication or start in with the insulin. We meet with the nurtitionist and diabetic educator next week sometime. I’ll get my bloodsugar monitor, check my sugar 4+ times a day, adjust food as needed. No more chocolate croissants, no more milkshakes, no more soda. Sad day.
The rest of the appointment was OK. I’m off caffeine, too, because of the heart palpitations (fffuuuuhhhhcccckkk! Are they going to take EVERYTHING good away? It’s not like I had more than one coffee a day, but it was my one coffee!). She said that caffeine is fine if there aren’t any complications, but since I’ve been having these issues, best to cut it out. She was happy with my weight gain and said baby was measuring just the right size. My iron levels are good, so no need to worry about that. All in all, the message is the same…drink a lot of water, get up and move, lie down if you need to, watch what you’re eating and see you in two weeks.
