Somehow, knowing already what the news would be didn’t make it all that much easier to hear.
Yep. It was Fifth Disease, for sure. I got the results of the bloodwork today, and it came back positive. So now begins the monitoring of the baby, and the hoping she wasn’t infected. And if she was infected, hoping she doesn’t become anemic. And if she does become anemic, hoping that transfusions work and she doesn’t…you know…die. Which is way more than I’m prepared to contemplate right now, so I’m working on Step One, which is go get the first ultrasound next Friday.
They’re going to use the ultrasounds to measure the blood flow through a certain artery whose name I learned today and promptly forgot. Apparently this measurement will indicate anemia, if she’s got it. I’ll be getting these ultrasounds regularly for a while. For the remaining three months of the pregnancy, I think, though I’m not sure yet. The perinatologist will talk to us about the monitoring protocol when we see him next week. Same guy who did the amnio, and we feel quite confident about him, so there’s that, at least.
Damn. Damn. Damn.
The doctor again assured me that the chances of the baby having been infected are slim, and the chances of complications as a result even slimmer at this point in the pregnancy. But still, there’s the worry. And the monitoring. It was probably unrealistic of me to think that I’d earned a stress-free pregnancy with all the drama and loss I’d had leading up to it. And of course, it could be worse. (pooh pooh pooh)
Still. I’m in a shake-my-fist-at-the-universe kind of mood tonight.
Pass the ice cream.
35 responses so far ↓
1 tish // Jan 8, 2010 at 8:45 pm
I’m thinking positive thoughts for you and if I were a pray-er, I’d be doing that too. Put some happy sprinkles on the ice cream.
2 Erika // Jan 8, 2010 at 9:09 pm
We’re sending positive vibes to both of you.
3 susan // Jan 8, 2010 at 9:14 pm
Oh, yikes. I’m glad that you’re on top of it with the blood test and ultrasounds, and I also hope that you can maintain a certain level of denial about the whole thing, since otherwise it sounds too stressful to handle. Thinking of you and hoping for the best.
4 Caroline // Jan 8, 2010 at 9:47 pm
Slim is good. Concentrate on that word. Slim chance. Slim. And I agree with Susan, I think magic thinking is in order here, and I am sending you tons of love.
Caroline
5 JudithinNYC // Jan 8, 2010 at 10:37 pm
Positive baby-girl mojo, vibes, magic thinking, crossing-0f-fingers, and even prayers to the universe. Tons of love to your little family.
6 Rachael // Jan 8, 2010 at 11:12 pm
Shit. Sending love and ice cream thoughts and kisses. xoxo
7 Sandra // Jan 8, 2010 at 11:39 pm
Dang. I don’t pray, per se, but know I’m sending whatever good vibes I can to you.
Things will be fine – they have to. We’re all waiting to meeting this baby girl.
I’ll even have a bowl of pralines n’ cream ice cream for you.
8 Violet // Jan 8, 2010 at 11:46 pm
Sending lots of good, healthy thoughts your way. Take care & stay strong.
9 Mother Chaos // Jan 9, 2010 at 12:06 am
Feh. I’m so sorry – this is a stress you just didn’t need. Hang in there. And yes. Ice cream is definitely in order.
10 Carole // Jan 9, 2010 at 8:02 am
Well this sucks. I’m sorry. Eat some ice cream and focus on the SLIM chances that there is anything left to worry about.
11 Amy // Jan 9, 2010 at 8:07 am
Damn, I’m so sorry to be reading this, C.
We’ll be keeping you in our hearts & minds, and wishing for you that the ultrasounds show only a happy, wiggling baby girl.
12 Kathode Ray Tube // Jan 9, 2010 at 8:44 am
Thinking of you and hope all goes well with the rest of your pregnancy.
13 Marrije // Jan 9, 2010 at 11:25 am
Man, that’s troublesome news. I’ll be thinking of you, and crossing fingers for everything staying well & healthy & bouncy from now on.
14 (formerly) no-blog-rachel // Jan 9, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Damn. I’m sorry this curve-ball you don’t need was sent your way. Love, hugs, and positive thoughts are heading in your direction.
XO
15 gaile // Jan 9, 2010 at 1:57 pm
I join every reader in focusing on the word ’slim’ for you, and thinking positive thoughts for you and your little girl.
16 Knittripps // Jan 9, 2010 at 2:33 pm
I am sorry to hear that. Sending positive thoughts to you and your baby girl and wishing for the best possible outcome.
17 Lizbon // Jan 9, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Damn. Also, sorry. Also, it sounds like she’s LIKELY to be fine. Not that that changes the need for ice cream one iota.
18 Sharon // Jan 9, 2010 at 3:09 pm
Damn it. Keep shaking your fist at the universe, you have every right to.
19 Barb // Jan 9, 2010 at 4:07 pm
Count me in as one in the blogisphere channeling postive energy your way:)
20 Rebecca // Jan 9, 2010 at 4:11 pm
I’ll see your fist and raise you a big ol’ middle finger. Grrr. I’m trying to think of an upside here because I’m “that” type. At least with more frequent monitoring you’ll be able to lay your eyes on that little darling sloshing in your womb, oblivious to all the fuss here on the outside.
21 Kim // Jan 9, 2010 at 5:38 pm
Concentrate on what you can control right now. Step by step. (I’m totally the kind of person who skips straight through to the “OMG, WHAT IF????” stage, so really, I know I’m asking a lot here)
So I’ve got a tub of disgustingly good ice cream with chocolate crackle and teeny tiny peanut butter cups in it….consider it yours.
22 angela // Jan 9, 2010 at 7:48 pm
It’s strange, I don’t know you other than a blogger who I love to read and yet I think about you and your family at least once a day. I will continue to pray for you all
23 jody // Jan 9, 2010 at 7:50 pm
I don’t know you, but I read your blog, and I send you all my best love and good wishes and I keep my fingers crossed from Hamble, UK.
Love to everyone at your house, bump included.
Jody.x
24 rachel // Jan 9, 2010 at 11:45 pm
I’m so sorry that you have to deal with this on top of everything else you’ve already been through.
25 mamie // Jan 10, 2010 at 1:49 am
crap. but you have my prayers in the shape of thoughts of strength and health for your little one. hug and kiss to her and you.
26 Cathy // Jan 10, 2010 at 9:14 am
I’m hoping everything goes well for the both of you!
27 Kathy // Jan 10, 2010 at 1:20 pm
Oh man. You know we are all out here praying, thinking good thoughts, or whatever we each believe in. Your dr is probably right, but you’re going to worry anyway. I had a kid that refused to let the dr. hear her heartbeat, and I freaked out for the half an hour I had to wait to get the emergency-get-her-in-there-now ultrasound. I hope everything is ok!
28 Celia // Jan 10, 2010 at 2:18 pm
Crap. Sending positive thoughts your way.
29 Mary K. in Rockport // Jan 10, 2010 at 3:23 pm
I’m with Sharon – get mad and stay mad. No need to maintain humor in this situation. Best wishes and thoughts for you and little girl – medicine can do amazing things these days.
30 sol // Jan 11, 2010 at 8:56 am
Crossing my fingers and hoping for the best!
31 ToniC // Jan 11, 2010 at 12:05 pm
Love and hugs and prayers for you and yours.
32 Annie // Jan 11, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Shitballs. Waving the DPNs and saying a prayer that everything is OK for all of you.
33 Jody // Jan 11, 2010 at 12:36 pm
So sorry. I’m adding my positive thoughts as well. Enjoy the ice cream. (Seriously. Focus on cold, creamy, yumminess for a few minutes. Let your mind rest.)
34 David // Jan 12, 2010 at 10:36 am
*passes some Pralines and Cream ice cream*
35 Heather // Jan 15, 2010 at 4:21 pm
Well, shit. Obviously we are thinking the best of thoughts for you and the little girl. And if you are in need of ice cream, soup, or other fetching, please holler. Xoxo.
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