Sorry I haven't been around for a while. I'm back at work 3 days a week and so far, so good. I just don't have a lot of time in the evenings to catch up but what else is new?! I've completed my first 'week' and have been inundated with paperwork to read and familiarise myself with - so many changes in 12 months. My boss and coworkers have been very welcoming and had the Milo and tissues handy on my first day.
Surprisingly I didn't feel as sad as I did when I returned to work after having Ryan. I was off work for 6 months then and 12 months this time, so I had anticipated feeling pretty bad on my first day. It helped that M had a day off so Amelie was in good hands. I miss my little ones but at least I have Thurs/Fri to look forward to. And is it GREAT to have a lunch break!
On Tues/Wed my mum took care of Amelie so the real test will be next week when she goes to the carer :( I've been taking her for half days and so far, she's been a little up and down. She cries her heart out when I leave her and is less settled than Ryan used to be. Time will tell. I am just so glad I do not have to leave her in care five full days a week.
Amelie is turning one at the end of the month! No, I can't believe it either. She is full of beans and oh-so-close to crawling. She is a late crawler, just like her brother. At almost 12kgs, there's a lot of body mass to lug around ;) I look at her and I wonder how I got this far in life without her. She is chubby, soft, funny, cheeky, noisy, beautiful, inquisitive and the perfect fit for our family.
Ryan is doing great at school and seems to be coping with 5 days a week. He's settling in well and is doing some good work. He's tired after school and won't tell me what he did that day until much later. We're meeting with his teacher on Tues evening to talk about how he's doing so far. I take him to school in the mornings, drop him off around 8.20am and head in to work for 9.00am. Then on Thur/Fri I get to pick him up as well and touch base with the other mums and his teacher.
As for me, well I've been feeling like I'm walking around in a sauna. My hormones have gone completely crazy. I haven't had AF since having Amelie and am experiencing the dreaded hot flashes pretty much all the time. Nice. On Wed I went to my obgyn who did a scan of my ovaries and uterus which was normal. My blood results show very low estrogen, FSH and LH, the upshot being there is likely to be something going on at the pituitary gland level. It's not sending the signals to my ovaries to produce estrogen and other goodies.
I feel like I've been catapulted into menopause 11 months after having a baby. How cruel would that be! My obgyn assures me I'm not, as my FSH & LH levels would be high and trying desperately to get the failing ovaries to do their thing. Thank goodness. I'm not planning any more babies but still, I don't want to be dealing with menopause!
So......I had a MRI scan on Friday to look at my pituitary gland. What a weird experience. I put in my ear plugs, closed my eyes and thought about laying on the beach and singing songs to Amelie and shopping for new clothes and, well anything but the very loud buzzing, tapping, knocking noises going on around my head. Felt like I was in that tube for a good half hour but in reality it was probably only 15 minutes. Half way through I was injected in the arm with a dye which felt okay (no 'hot' sensation). More noise, then it was over and I was sent on my way with a $495 account.
They didn't give me any sort of indication of what they saw. I have to contact my doctor on Tuesday. I have been told it's highly unlikely to be anything sinister. A tumour of the pituitary is almost always benign. Hmmmm, why doesn't that comfort me?! I will also have to go back on the Pill for the oestrogen to get me feeling half way normal again and to prevent osteoporosis. Even better.
Suddenly I'm feeling very old ;)
Hi Sue,
I've tried to comment several times and when the page flips, everything is lost. I'm so glad to see an update from you. I've been wondering how going back to work was and how the kids are doing.
It's great to hear that things are going well. Except for the hot flashes of coarse, no fun. Please let us know what the results of the MRI say. I'm saying a prayer for you!! ;0)
Posted by: Jennifer | Monday, March 05, 2007 at 02:57
glad your first week was ok! I love that picture of the kids -- they're adorable.
oh, and you're not old -- you're just chronologically experienced. heh
jen
Posted by: Jen_Jakesmom | Tuesday, March 06, 2007 at 00:21
Glad to hear that the first week went well. For me it just got easier after that and now I am totally used to it.
Hope your doc is able to figure out what is causing your probs
Leslie
Posted by: Leslie | Tuesday, March 06, 2007 at 02:30
Oh Sue!!!!!!
I am SOOOOO HAPPY to hear your first week back went well!
I have been constantly thinking about you!!!!!
Amelie and Ryan are SOOOOOO beautiful. WOW!
Please keep us posted on the crappy medical stuff, as always my thoughts and prayers will be with you.
LOVE YOU!!!!!!!! YAY to lunch breaks! :)
Posted by: Kelly | Tuesday, March 06, 2007 at 05:50
PS I can NOT even believe A is almost ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Kelly | Tuesday, March 06, 2007 at 07:15
Wow...a year old already?!? How did that happen? Glad you first week went well at work. How awesome that you are only working 3 days a week. Sounds like Ryan is liking school this year. Let us know what you find out from your scan.
Posted by: Stephanie | Wednesday, March 07, 2007 at 08:15
Wow, Amelie is already a year! Glad that work seems to be going okay so far. I can't wait to hear what your scan says! I feel hot all the time too!
Posted by: Bev | Wednesday, March 07, 2007 at 10:15
It is so good to read an update from you!!!
I hope Ameilie is good for the carer next week. I am so happy you only have to work the 3 days. Hopefully it will be a nice balance for you.
Best of luck in the coming week, with the transitions and results.
Posted by: Rae | Sunday, March 11, 2007 at 00:04
Thinking of you!!!!!!!!!! Let us know how your health is (praying) and how the new job schedule is working :)
Much love!
Posted by: Becca | Monday, March 12, 2007 at 15:06
I'm pleased work is ok for you. It was lovely being down your neck of the woods over the weekend. I thought of you when I looked over the city when the plane came in. My best friend had a tumour of the pituitary gland when she was younger(she never got AF as a teenager). She had an operation to remove it and went on to have 4 children. I hope it's nothing serious - please keep us informed!!! Thinking of you.
Posted by: Hannah&boys | Tuesday, March 13, 2007 at 21:15