Just when you think it's over ...

Yesterday was a step forward. Today was a step back.

But first, the comic relief.

I went for an ultrasound to make sure that there was nothing left over from my m/c. The perky ultrasound tech seemed pleasant enough until she asked, "So how far along in your pregnancy do you think you are?" (Oh. Yes. She. Did.) After we got that minor bit of misinformation cleared up, her trainee/assistant then proceeded to tell me about a story she either witnessed or learned in ultrasound class the night before. It goes like this: A woman pregnant with twins was complaining of horrible abdominal pain. The ultrasound showed that she had also had an ectopic pregnancy and her fallopian tube had burst. Amazingly enough, this didn't kill her or the twins, and the embryo from the burst tube attached to the uterine wall and developed normally. Everyone lived happily ever after.

Now I don't know whether or not this story is true -- it seems a little far-fetched to me, just a wee tiny bit -- but that's not the point. What I really wanted to know but was so shocked that I completely failed to ask was: Ladies, is this really the kind of story that is appropriate to tell when you're doing an ultrasound on someone who has recently miscarried?!  "Pregnant Woman Survives Infertile Women's Worst Nightmare and Ends Up With Triplets"??!!  I think not. Seriously.

This was followed by a visit to my new OB, who is completely great -- love her! She asked all the questions I would expect a competent OB to ask, listened carefully, made notes in the computer file while I was talking, and had just the right bedside manner. And the new clinic doesn't smell like puke-inducing P*ine-So*l, which is really an extra-special bonus. New Doc was pretty horrified at the story I told her, and I didn't even tell her the whole thing. She didn't actually say it, but I got the strong impression that she would have handled my m/c in a completely different way than Old Doc. No big surprise there. We all would have.

The bad news is that the ultrasound showed a blobby object of some sort attached to my uterus, complete with its own blood flow. Which means it's growing, or at least trying to. New Doc is pretty sure it's a piece of placenta that decided to hang on and, oh, I dunno, grow a baby out of stem cells or something. This explains my continued bleeding and could also explain my tiredness. So I'm scheduled for a D&C with New Doc tomorrow afternoon. Whee.

I picked up my post-op meds today, completely forgetting that I still have pain meds leftover from my m/c, so now I've got way more Vi*cod*in than any one person should be allowed to have. New Doc jokingly suggested that I sell the extra on the black market. It's a tempting thought ...

Comments

[luna]

oh wow. I'm still astounded by the asinine tech. was that at new ob's office? can she do something about that? so glad you like her, she sounds great. sorry about the stem cell experiment in your uterus, and that you need that dnc after all. hope you get some good rest tomorrow and heal well.

[Shelli]

omg. what a rollercoaster of emotion you've been on. Sending you healing vibes that you can get this m/c behind you.

[Sherry]

Ugh after all of this, I was truly hoping for you that you wouldn't have to go through the D&C thing, my dear. I'm sorry this has sucked so bad.

I will be thinking of you tomorrow, and sending healing, peaceful thoughts your way.

[duck]

ohh or pop the pills for a really great friday night.
Good luck at the D&C, sorry for the ignorent techs, am impressed you didn't knock them out,or maybe that is simply my first reaction...

[Ashley L.]

I'm speechless. I really wish I could twist the heads off the ultrasound tech and trainee. I know you were so astounded and, just plain freaking tired, that it would have been awkward to let them know how very out of line they were. But, if you ever want to vent, you could always fire off a letter and slay them as well. I'm horrified about careless comments from nurses and ultrasound techs and doctors following miscarriages. I don't understand why they don't look at the freaking charts. I'm very sorry. I'm very sorry for the blow to learn you have to have a D&C. I was so worried about the prolonged bleeding. And yet another reason your old doc sucks big, green donkey dick..she should have recommended an ultrasound after a few weeks of continued bleeding. You made the absolute right choice switching doctors. You are the legal brain, but I think the other was guilty of malpractice. I'll be holding you in my thoughts this afternoon. I also wanted to say that I'm glad the home study went so well..and I honestly do not know how anyone could be prepared to answer such questions. It seems unfair that they two of you are subject to that, and others don't even need a driver's license to procreate. I just hope for some final relief from all of this for you, some hope, some healing, some happiness. Please know there are multiple holes punched in the drywall next to my computer.

[Rebecca]

Telling a story like that is ridiculous in front of anyone...you should have given them money for coffee and had them go out for their break to talk about that. I'm glad that you're liking your new doctor...it's always nice with a change of scenery and someone who apparently knows what they're doing and what's best for their patient. Let's raise a Vicodin to no more bleeding and some form of comfort for you...you sure do deserve it.

[shinejil]

Would it be socially maladroit to tell the u/s tech a story you heard about how working with u/s equipment day after day makes you hopelessly stupid?

Geez, think, people! No one in your position would want to hear about some wacko pregnacy success story.

I'm glad the new OB is cool, but I'm sorry you have to get the D&C. Enjoy the, uh, fringe benefits at least...

[shinejil]

Would it be socially maladroit to tell the u/s tech a story you heard about how working with u/s equipment day after day makes you hopelessly stupid?

Geez, think, people! No one in your position would want to hear about some wacko pregnacy success story.

I'm glad the new OB is cool, but I'm sorry you have to get the D&C. Enjoy the, uh, fringe benefits at least...

[the Babychaser]

Oh honey, I'm so sorry that after all that you're going to have to do a D&C after all. I know this was something you really wanted to avoid.

On the plus side, once that's taken care of you might really start feeling better, maybe a bit like the old you.

I'm really proud of you for doing what needed to be done to find a new doctor. Sounds like you're going to do really well with this one.

Stupidity abounds out there, but you stay smart and together through it all. I'm amazed at your strength.