...We Have An Answer...

This sounds really weird to tell people, it seems like it's lethal, but it actually is a good thing because I have an answer to all of these weird symptoms for the last year that have honestly made me feel sort of crazy.

Aunt Lorrie went with me to see the endocrinologist. The moment he laid eyes on me he knew I have GravesDisease . Given the lab results, swollen legs, rapid heart beat, high blood pressure, shaking hands, my weird looking eyes and most of all my bulging thyroid.....the list goes on. I have seen doctors for a lot of the things I feel, especially the unbearable itching, but they all said I was fine.

So, I had to increase the blood pressure medication again today and started a medication called, propylthiouracil (PTU), which is the safest route while I am pregnant. The doctor said I should be feeling better soon and we will go from there. He assured me that baby is probably doing fine, the biggest problem we could face is that s/he could be very small. I am still worried, especially since this was uncontrolled during the first trimester and some of the medication does cross the placenta. But, uncontrolled disease is worse for the baby and we just have to trust that Heavenly Father is taking care of our sweet miracle.

Unfortunately, it seems to be that I do not have the only somewhat positive side effect of this disease has: weight loss. The doctor said that it may be because of the heart failure that the Graves causing. Awesome.

I'm off to check out my goiter in the mirror again. You seriously can't see it unless you know what you are looking for. My Aunt Debra just tells me that she thought I had the fat 'Higley Neck.' :)

My Dang Thyroid

The Blood Pressure medicine seemed to not be working because my numbers were staying about the same. I have even had some crazy high numbers after a couple really busy days. So, on Friday I saw the nurse practitioner at my OB's office and she pretty much blew me off. She did mention that my thyroid lab had come back low in passing. It is so frustrating that my doctor is gone!!! Meanwhile, my Aunt Lorrie works with a cardiologist and she ran my case by him and he felt that this matter needed more attention. So he had a total lab work up done and it is a good thing he did.

My thyroid has completely gone crazy. The thyroid is a very complicated thing so it can be confusing, but this is the short of it. It is not producing enough of the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, therefore, my levels of T3 and T4 are SEVEN times the normal level. This is then causing my kidneys to malfunction, thus, high blood pressure. And my hemoglobin was low so we get to add anemia to this whole mess!

So there was a few moments of craziness last night when we were figuring out if I should just go to the emergency room or what. But I was not having major symptoms of what they call a "thyroid storm" so it was safe to wait until morning. We got a blood pressure cuff at home for me to keep checking, I doubled up on the medicine and stayed in bed. I go to my OB's office first thing this morning and they will send me to see an endocrinologist and this whole thing should get taken care of. Once the thyroid gets in check everything else will fall into line, also.

So let's just say a little prayer that our baby is doing well and this will all be behind us. If Aaron says one more time that we are not having any more kids, I might punch him! :)

The Pressure Is Rising...

My blood pressure, that is. Dang. At my Dr appointment a couple of weeks ago it was too high, so he told me to keep checking it and let him know. I had to go today because it has not gone down. I saw another doctor because Cooper is on vacation. This guy seriously had the personality of a door knob, but whatever, I have to start medication. Seriously stinks. Got to hear little baby's heartbeat....160....same as Noelle's always was. I know that is a fallacy but I am thinking maybe GIRL!

Yosemite pictures will be up soon...

Welcome Cole and Carter

Welcome babies!

Aaron's sister, Denise, delivered twin baby boys on June 3, 2008.

Born at 7:05 and 7:07 pm weighing in at 6 lbs 5 oz and 6 lbs 9 oz.

They are so precious....we cannot wait to meet these darling boys.

We're Baaaaaaaack!

We are back from our first real A & E Jones family vacation. We have take a lot of trips and been a lot of places but it has always been to visit family or with family. This time was just us. We left Friday morning and got home late last night from Yosemite. It was AMAZING. There just are no words to describe the beauty of this park. To us, it is a true testimony of a creator. Will update with pictures later.

Also, there were two more additions to the Jones family on Uncle Aaron's birthday, YEA!!!!! We are so excited to meet Denise and Scott's twin baby boys, will update with pictures of that, also.