Stomach bugs, tonsillitis and more stomach bugs.

Welcome to the last week of life at chez M-G.

Monday, when I had Bren drive me to the emergency department of the hospital at which I will be having Little Lady, I knew I wasn't right. I knew I had most likely caught the stomach bug that Luca had a week prior. I thought that was pretty bad luck. A whole week? Surely, you're home free after that long?

Hahahaha. No.

When they asked me for a urine sample, I knew my wee would probably be a bit concentrated which would indicate my fluids were down. I didn't expect to be looking at a jar filled with whiskey.

"That's not right, is it?" I asked the nurse when I returned.

"Oh, gosh! No. That doesn't look right at all! Let me go and test it."

Yep. Severe dehydration and ketones galore. I don't know much about ketones except that a friend used to wee on sticks meant for diabetics to get herself into a state called ketosis which meant her body was in the maximum calorie burning zone. I knew the nurse was telling me it was NOT a good zone to be in and I certainly felt pretty lousy but secretly, I was a bit excited about possibly losing weight.

What has this weight-obsessed society done to me?

But I digress (disturbingly).

The best cure for a severely dehydrated pregnant chick is a couple of litres of fluids pumped directly into the vein. Awesome! Because I am very good with needles.

Hahahaha. No.

The nurse told me my veins might be a bit collapsed due to the dehydration. A bit hard to find.

So then this conversation happened.

Dr: Hi. This is Ash. Ash is a medical student and keen to practise inserting IVs. Would you mind if he does this one?

Nurse: I'm just learning, too. I really need the practise, too.

Me: Yay!

Nurse (after Dr and student Ash have left the room): I was just lying. You're too sick to be practised on. I've done 20 IVs. I mean, I am still learning but I've done 20. Probably more.

Me: ….

Then the ritual of 'Find a decent vein on Angie' began. It happens EVERY TIME. My veins are tiny. Also referred to as hopeless and terrible by medical staff over the years. And then there was the whole collapsed thing to consider.

Did I mention I was feeling pretty nauseated before this?

Ramp that up to 11.

The nurse took an extraordinarily long time trying to choose a vein. Not her fault. She knew how sick I was feeling and I know she only wanted to put me through this once.

But still. Each time she'd rub on my arm, smack it, tell me to pump my fists and even use a hot compress in the hope that just one viable vein might present itself, I felt the wave of nausea rise.

By the time she inserted the bung, I was almost hysterical and begging to sit up which she eventually let me do. My whole body broke out in a sweat and I felt like I was either going to hurl or pass out. But my lovely nurse coached me through some deep breathing and eventually, I calmed down without spewing or losing consciousness.

I did, however, manage to knock half the bung out of my arm. It wasn't ideal but the nurse knew getting another one in would require putting me under so with half an IV in my arm, she set about getting the first litre of fluid into me quickly.

Truthfully, a litre of water was like heaven. By the time the second litre went through, I was ready to run a marathon. And also, my face had a colour other than grey. Gorgeous!

And the whole time, I heard Bub's heart beating away on the monitor. And I also saw the belly tightenings I was having. A LOT of belly tightenings which the nurse hoped wasn't the beginning of labour. Apparently, gastro is excellent at bringing it on. Cool. I'll be sure to catch it again in about three weeks time.

And in all the drama, what's happened with the GD? Well, yesterday, I didn't even bother testing. I wasn't eating actual meals and anything I could tolerate, whenever I could tolerate it seemed like the only way. Today, back to testing, levels are still wacky. So that still hangs in limbo until I make an appointment to see the Diabetes Educator….just as soon as everyone else gets better.

Yeah, Luca is sick again.

Hahahaha. No.