A serious post

I know, I know, no one every wants to read "downer" posts, but, I've never really posted on this topic before, and I think it's important.

It was around this date in 2009, when I was VERY pregnant (due April 10th to be exact), that I began ignoring some pain I was having in my lower ribs.  I shouldn't say I was ignoring it, because it was difficult to ignore, it was quite painful.  I hadn't had any problems with my pregnancy other than 1 doctor's appointment that week where my blood pressure had been high.  When the doctor took my blood pressure, she suggested we wait 15 minutes and try again... so we did, and it was "normal" again. (I will explain why I put that in quotations a little later).  At that time, my doctor said to me "if you experience any pain in your ribs, head up to the hospital and we'll look at your blood pressure again".

That week, I did start having pain in my ribs, but ... it's difficult to describe... but it didn't feel the way I thought "rib pain" would feel... it was low in my ribs, almost in my stomach... and it almost felt like indigestion, but much more intense.  So when I would feel that way, I would have a bath or lay down hoping the pain would subside.  What I didn't realize is that the "normal" blood pressure I was experiencing, was actually not normal for me.  Before my pregnancy, I didn't pay any attention to my blood pressure, so I had no idea what my blood pressure usually was, so, during my pregnancy, when my blood pressure was in the normal range (optimal is about 120/80), I didn't worry about it.  It slowly crept up over the next week or so, and by the time my due date rolled around, I was in the "mild hypertension" range (about 150/95), when April 12th came (Easter Sunday), I had alot of pain, I was dizzy, and my blood pressure had risen to about 170/100.  I was nervous to go to the hospital out of fear of being "that over reacting pregnant lady", but when my blood pressure reached 220/110, I went. 

When we arrived at the hospital, they took my blood pressure and sent me up to Labour & Delivery "out of precaution".  We were there for about 6 hours, had my blood pressure taken lots of times, spoke to a couple doctors, and then the resident came in and said "well, I think we're going to send you home, but if the pain comes back, just come back up.  I'm just going to consult with one other doctor first".  She left, I started to get ready to go, then she came back in and said "we're going to induce you, we're a little concerned about your blood pressure".  I was surprised, but went with the flow.

I started on IV, they broke my water, and labour started at about 12 AM.... I won't go through the long process... but they monitored me the whole time.  My beautiful baby girl was born at about 7:15 on April 13th.  When she was born, I was tired, but happy she was here.  After all the nurses and doctors were done checking us over, a student nurse came in to help me to the shower, and I was left to shower.  My husband and I were alone for a long time, when finally a nurse came in to wheel me down to my room.  When I got there, I knew something was wrong... I wasn't feeling bad, but there seemed to be a lot of nurses and doctors around.  The doctor told me that my blood pressure was still a concern, and they had done some blood work and my platelets were going down (for those who don't know, platelets help your blood clot so you don't bleed a lot).  So I was going to have to stay in bed, no getting up for shower, bathroom, baby... nothing.  No lights on in the room. No visitors (my husband was allowed in).  I had to have a nurse with me 24 hours a day. 

In the end, I had 7 platelet transfusions that helped save my life.  I found out later that I had Class I HELLP syndrome.  Had I ignored the symptoms any longer, I likely would not be here. 

For more information about this condition, please visit: http://www.preeclampsia.org/health-information/hellp-syndrome.  This condition can be fatal, so it was a scary experience for all of us.

So why am I writing about this?  Not to scare anyone, I am hoping that by sharing my story I can encourage women who are concerned about how they're feeling in their pregnancy to seek help.  I am happy to chat with anyone that has questions or who would like to share their own experience.  Email me at katie.overtiredmama@gmail.com.

The Bachelor update

So, I haven't commented on any Reality TV in a while, but thought I would comment on the latest Bachelor episode.

As the weeks go by, I am becoming increasingly convinced that the Bachelor Ben is a little more superficial than what they are trying to portray on the show.  Don't get me wrong, I know all of the Bachelor & Bachelorettes are superficial to a degree... I mean, comon, your "first impression" cuts have to be primarily based on looks and the 3 words the contestants say to you as they exit the vehicle.

Courtney is just not a likeable person.  I know lots of people will say "but it's all about how she's edited"... ok, maybe if I met her in real life I would get along with her, but I doubt it.  Anyone who uses the "other women are jealous of me and that's why we dont' get along" defense is on my "I don't like you" list.  He has openly questioned her lack of being able to get along with other women... yet keeps her.  I don't get it.  The only logical explanation is that he must be blinded by her looks.

I remain puzzled.

I should also note that I did google who the "alleged" winner of this season is.  I am not surprised. 

Side note - my friends often ask me why I "read ahead".  I like to know the outcome... but it doesn't ruin the show for me because I continue to watch to see how they get there.  I am a fan of the show "Coronation Street" (before you ask, no, I am not 85... it is genuinely a good show).  Here in Canada we are a little over 4 months behind where they are in Brittain... so it is easy to find "spoilers" online.  I often read ahead.  But I continue to watch every episode here.

Anyway, after all that unnecessary information... I'm done for the day.

Snow Days

As I start to write this blog, I realized that this blog is turning in to somewhat of a "rant fest"... oh well, you're still reading it, so... on to the latest rant!

Ok, so I live in a climate with snow in the winter.  I have been dealing with snow my entire life.  Do I love it? No, I mostly just tolerate it.

So we had a little bit of snow yesterday... 10 cm to be exact (no, I didn't measure it myself, I am relying on "weather people" to give me this information).  When I drove to work, the streets were pretty well clear.  The sidewalks, however, were not.  Was I enraged at the lack of snow clearning on streets?  No. It's a part of life here.  But it appears there were many that were.

I read on many a Facebook page this disapproving rants of parents who raged about how awful it was for children to be expected to go to school after a 10 cm snowfall.  Many cited "school was cancelled previously for much less than this" and was it, yes.  Those few days that school was cancelled for less than 10 cm of snow was primarily because more was forcasted.  And on the days that happened, these same people, who were now complaining about the lack of cancellation, were complaining that school WAS cancelled.

OK people, what do you want? 

Several people cited "I can't believe they expect children to walk through these unplowed sidewalks"... Really?  Not to sound like an old coot, but "in my day" 10 cm was not a big deal... in fact, it still isn't in my books.  I still walk through 10 cm of unplowed snow... and miraculously, I am still alive.

I do not evny the decision makers at the school districts, no matter what you decide, you can't satisfy everyone.

Rant of the day... done.  :)

In defense of non-mothers...

Ok, I get it, being a mom is busy.  I'm the first one to complain about not having time to myself, but, I still find it irritating to listen to some moms tell "non-moms" how they don't understand what being busy is.  An example of the most recent overheard conversation:

Mom: I envy you.
Non-mom: Why?
Mom: Because of all of your free time.
Non-mom: What do you mean?  Work is crazy busy!  You know that.
Mom: No, no... I don't mean at work, I mean after work.  You can go home, have a glass of wine, read books, go out with your friends.... I can't do anything like that.
Non-mom: Why not?
Mom: Because I have kids!  You have NO idea what it's like to be as busy as I am.

Pause for a minute - I'm thinking to myself .. who talks to their friends like this?  But anyway, back at it:

Non-mom: Yeah, kids are busy
Mom: No, you have no idea.  They want me to play... all the time!  I'm making supper, laundry, cleaning... it's exhausting!
Non-mom: Wow. So what time do they go to bed?
Mom: Like 7:00... then I'm so tired I need to go to bed.
Non-mom: Yeah, some nights I can't even make it to 9... I'm in bed.
Mom: Wow, and you don't even have kids... you can't even imagine how much busier and tired you will be.
*awkward silence*

Why do some people feel the need to broadcast how busy they are?  I will agree that sometimes I am run off my feet, but why must you make other feel inferior about their lack of a busy life.  Was she hoping this lady would throw a party in her honour to awknowledge how busy she is?  Even if she did, wouldn't that mom be too busy to attend.

Well, sorry for the rant today, I must be in a bad mood... aren't I always?  That's what lack of sleep does to you.... and being SOOO  busy.  Well, I should run, I'm too busy to even write this blog.

An Open Letter...

Dear Person Using the Aerosol Spray in our Public Bathroom,

Hi.  How are you?  Good?  Well I'm not.  I don't know who you are, but know this: you may think that the spray you are using is disguising the smell of what you just did in our bathroom, but it's not, it's making it worse.... much worse.  The smell of citrus and your bowel movement is making me wretch in disgust.  Don't get me wrong... I know it's a necessary bodily function and we all do it, but please stop using that disgusting spray.  This is a "scent free" building.  Maybe your boss/office manager/receptionist never gave you the notice, but surely you've noticed the signs in the building?  If not, consider this your notice.

Maybe I'm cranky because my car broke down this morning, or maybe I'm cranky because that's who I am... regardless... you stink... I mean your spray stinks... stop using it... immediately.

Love
An Over Tired Mama

"New" Bachelor

Is there some kind of "Bachelor Contestant Check List"?  Seems to me they must have met their quota this season:

- Girl that lost her parents
- Single mom
- Girl that's "so pretty other women are jealous of her"
- Good 'ol Southern Girl
- Girl who has "relationship issues"
- A Canadian
- Blah, blah, blah

So, you may assume by reading this post that I will not be watching this season.... you would assume wrong.  lol

Celebrities...

So I started using Twitter.  I know... probably ridiculous, but I was curious.  I have started "following" some celebrities on Twitter... But I have become to realize that my imagination of what they are like is often extremely different than what they are like in real life.  Some celebrity tweets have made me realize that I would prefer not to meet my celebrity "crushes" in real life as it ruins my own ideas. 

I want to believe that Jim from The Office is a real person... is that too much to ask?