Drama, drama, drama
When I first found out I was pregnant and got over the initial shock and then excitement, I started contemplating what lie ahead for me. There were three things that I dreaded: #1) labor and delivery; #2) morning sickness; and, #3) the glucose tolerance test.
I survived the morning sickness and it was surprisingly easier this time around than the first two. Obviously labor and delivery haven’t happened yet. Two weeks ago I went in for the glucose tolerance test. If you’ve never had a glucose tolerance test…they’re not fun. Some people seem to handle them better than others. Basically, you drink a nasty drink that tastes like orange soda with an extra cup of sugar mixed in. You wait one hour and then blood is drawn. I went in to the lab like a big girl and took the test and then put it out of my mind. It was over with…or so I thought.
Last week I had a doctor’s appointment and my doctor told me that I failed the glucose test and she prescribed the three-hour glucose test. WHAT?!?!? I was not expecting that. I’d always passed this test before. I thought it was all over with. I was not happy with this news. I told Josh I’d rather just assume I have gestational diabetes, change my diet and monitor my blood sugar than to have to take this test. But, I couldn’t go against my doctor’s orders.
This morning was the dreaded test. I was supposed to fast for 10 hours before the test, so I ate my last meal at 7:30 last night, woke up early and got to the lab by 7:00. At 7:30 they were drawing blood on me and then they gave me the drink. During the three-hour test, they draw blood once every hour. This is pure torture. I don’t know anybody who thinks this test is no big deal.
By 8:15 I started to not feel so great. I felt really tired and uncomfortably warm. I put my book down and closed my eyes for a second. I then got up to get a drink of water. I caught the eyes of another woman sitting in the lobby and she looked concerned. She asked me if I was O.K. and I told her I was just feeling a bit weak because I’d been fasting. I could sense her keeping her eyes on me when I went back to my seat. I started feeling worse…I started to feel dizzy and sweaty. I needed some fresh air, but didn’t think I could walk outside by myself. I could hear my mom’s voice (from 3,000 miles away) telling me to put my head between my legs. Yeah, right…have you seen my belly? That’s virtually impossible. I realized I needed help, so I got up and walked over to the reception desk. The woman behind the counter was busy helping somebody else so I waited, but I didn’t think I could stand up anymore, so I put my head down on the desk.
Things got a bit fuzzy after that.
The next thing I remember was somebody coming from behind me and grabbing my arm. I recognized the voice of the woman who was watching me in the lobby. “WE NEED SOME HELP OUT HERE!!” She was banging her fist on the desk to get somebody’s attention. I then felt somebody else catch me from behind and then a third person grab my other arm. I could tell that the people were walking me into the back and they lay me down on a bed. I tried to open my eyes and could barely see somebody putting my purse and coat onto a chair next to me. They opened the window for fresh air, placed an ice pack under my neck and on my forehead. They elevated my feet and gave me a pillow. For some reason I remember thinking I needed to lift my arm and was confused as to why I couldn’t lift it.
It only took a few moments for me to start feeling better. My doctor was called and she said that if I wanted to quit the test that I could. I asked if I had to take it later and she said that I did. So, I opted to continue taking the test…I didn’t want to have to go through all that again. Let’s get this over with. They took the second vial of blood and told me that I should continue to lie down for the remainder of the test. I lay there for the next couple of hours while they came in every hour to take more blood until the test was over.
Before all the drama, I noticed another pregnant woman in the lobby. She was there for her 1-hour glucose test and her daughter was with her. Her daughter was probably 8 or 9-years-old. They ended up in the room next to mine and I could overhear what was happening. Apparently, the girl watched the whole drama scene starring me in the lobby and it scared her. She then went and watched the tech draw blood from her mom’s arm. Well…this was too much for the little girl and she passed out. I could hear people tending to her. I heard the tech explain to the mom that some people will faint after watching somebody else faint. She said she’s had grown adults faint after watching somebody else do the same. I felt horrible…I really wish this little girl didn’t have to see all that. I know my kids would’ve been shaken up by the whole thing and I’m glad they weren’t at the lab with me.
Later on, I overheard a man talking with one of the techs. He asked her, “So…do you have very many people faint in here?” She answered, “Well…we had two just this morning.”
Gee Whiz…I’m glad I could be a topic of conversation.
Anyways…I survived and I’m home. Josh came and picked me up from the lab. They wouldn’t let me drive myself home. Both of my arms are sore (they sucked one dry and had to draw the last two vials from my other arm.) I’m tired, but I feel much better. I’m glad that’s over with.
I’m really not concerned with the outcome. I don’t mind changing my diet…I can handle that. But, please, no more tests!
