Update on Gestational Anemia

Hello all!!!

I saw Dr. T. on Monday (my hematologist), and all the blood work results were back yesterday. My iron levels not only recovered from being low they are now on the high side. There's nothing wrong with that, so we are very excited to know that the iron infusions worked extremely well!!! My hemoglobin levels did not change a whole lot though. While hemoglobin levels are very tied to iron levels, mine didn't move very much because of my Thalassemia. As of right now, Dr. T. wants me to come in again next week to recheck my hemoglobin levels. Depending on what has changed in a week's time will determine whether or not he wants me to get two more rounds of infusions. I've been a little confused as to why he would recommend more iron infusions if my iron is now high and it's just my hemoglobin that's low, but he's the "blood doctor." He is trying to make all things in my blood work together to my benefit. He's still trying to find a balance in treating the Thalassemia and the anemia. Anyway, there has been much progress, and I have definitely been feeling better. Now we wait another week to see if I need to do a little more or not. As always, thanks so much for all of your prayers! We are 6 weeks away from my due date, and it's feeling very real. I'm thankful that the doctors are striving to have me in a very healthy place to deliver! Love you all!

Memory Verse 8

The next memory verse is due tomorrow. We have a very busy, very fun weekend planned and I didn't want to get behind like last time. I was thinking today about all kinds of different things all while knowing in the back of my mind that I needed to choose a verse. Anyway, I was thinking about how sensitive I have become to negativity in others. It drives me bonkers and makes me angry when Christians spend SO much time focusing on the negative and complaining constantly. But, then I realized that it ends up dragging me into the negativity by spending time angry at them for their negativity. It's a vicious circle. And, that's why negativity is so awful-it's contagious. On top of that I realized how easy it is at this point in the pregnancy to focus on the less-than-glamorous, painful, and frustrating parts of pregnancy forgetting to be in awe of the miracle that's happening.

SO-with all of that rambling in my head, this verse popped in my mind. I decided it was perfect for the next two weeks. I know it enough for it to pop in my mind, but I don't have the entire thing engraved on my heart, and I would like to change that. With that said, my next verse is:

Philippians 4:8
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things."

Infusions Complete

Hi all! I finished round 4 of my iron infusions yesterday! We do not know official results of how it is working yet. Dr. Trillo wanted to give this last round a full week to get into my system before doing follow up blood work. So, I go back up there next Monday to visit with him and get my blood work done. I'm praying that sometime mid-late week next week we will be told that my iron levels are looking great, and I am all clear to deliver (when Carter is ready, that is).

What I do know is that I am feeling much better. I am able to be up and around doing stuff WAY more than I could a couple-three weeks ago. I do still have some very tired moments, but the fact of the matter is that my Thalassemia is still affecting me and I'm in my third trimester. Who isn't tired during their third trimester? :) The tired I'm experiencing now is very different though than the pervasive exhaustion of a few weeks ago. One of the biggest differences is that a night's sleep or a good nap is actually refreshing now when before it didn't matter.

We are very thankful for how the treatments have worked. It was scary early on, but it has been so helpful. I'm so glad that I can be in nesting mode getting our house and Carter's room ready for him. Thank you so, so much for all of you that have be praying for me. Please keep it up as I progress through these next 7 1/2 weeks til my little man arrives!

Memory Verse 7 and Iron Update

Hi all! Yes, it's April 6th, and I'm just now documenting my verse for the first half of the month. I have had a very crazy first week of the month. In fact, all of April is just nuts! It's time for me to buckle down and start making this a bigger priority cause I'm sure once my little man is here it will become easy for me to forget about this. The verse I've chosen for the next two weeks is just perfect for this time of our lives. We have so many changes coming up and so much unknown as we add to our family that I want to start engraving this on my heart RIGHT NOW! Life is about taking it one day at a time, and I need to enter into parenthood with that in mind as well!

Matthew 6:34
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

I also wanted to give a brief update to how my infusions are going. I'm down 3 with one to go on Monday the 11th. About mid-week last week after my 2nd infusion I began to notice a difference. My mom came into town for several days to help me with some baby stuff and go to my church shower, and I was able to be very active the whole time she was here. I'm definitely not at pre-pregnancy energy levels, but I'm beginning to be able to do more. In the end, I'm still in my 3rd trimester and will tire out quickly; BUT I'm noticing a HUGE difference. I want to do stuff around the house or get out and run errands, and I can. I'm also finding that as I get a little more energy I'm finally able to give into the nesting I've been wanting to do. I'm working to pay really close attention to my body so that I can sit or lay down and rest if I need to, but I'm also thrilled to be more active for the time being. Round 4 will be on the 11th, then on the 18th they will check my levels and see if they are high enough for me to deliver safely. It's been a time commitment the last few weeks, but we are so excited to see it working! Thank you for your prayers!!! Keep them coming!