Thirty-Six
Today is my birthday. I don’t really feel older, but I am acutely aware that I am. Today, I am 36 years old. When my mother was 36, she had two (almost) grown daughters. That’s some perspective I didn’t need this morning, but there it is.
I share my birthday with Dr. Suess, Jon Bon Jovi, Mikhail Gorbechev, Chris Martin, Daniel Craig, Karen Carpenter, and Reggie Bush.
So, Brian and I spent most of the morning meeting with our new fertility doctor. I admit to being a little (or a lot) overwhelmed by all of the information, but I’m optimistic. I’ve got a full battery of tests ahead of me depending on when I get my next period (yes, guys, I’m talking menstruation – deal with it). The good news is that I’m not really considered “past my peak” until I turn 37, so I’ve got one year left to get it done!
I have to find a high-risk OB, which is a little confusing because when I called my regular OB/GYN’s office (to find out which high-risk OB she prefers to work with), I was told that she handles high-risk patients herself. However, I was also told that I would be “sent over to the diabetes center” at the hospital. This sent some red flags waving, so I tried to clearly communicate that I am a Type 1 diabetic who sees an endo on a regular basis. Here’s the response I got:
“Oh, well, if you’ve already seen an endo, you probably won’t have to do the diabetes education class.”
Um, you think?
I can’t stand it when people don’t listen. Anyway, Dr. S. and I have talked extensively about how we’ll handle pregnancy, and I’m very comfortable with that. I don’t want to throw another doctor into the mix when I’ll likely be seeing at least four of them on a regular basis.
Of course, I’d do just about anything to have a baby, so in the end, I’ll sit through whatever bullshit education for gestational diabetics they want me to.
On a different note, last night, I spoke with Roddy’s good friend Bob. Things are looking extremely grim at this point. I’m becoming more scared with each day that goes by. Roddy is suffering torture like I can’t even begin to imagine. Please continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
Themocracy
Happy birthday, Shannon! I hope today’s battery of tests & details & information overload prove to be worth every single second! Fingers crossed for you and sending you very happy birthday wishes!
Happy Birthday, Shannon!! Hope it’s a good one.
Wishing you the best in your venture to have a child. ((hugs))
Happy Birthday to you! Hope that this year brings all the best for you and your family!
You really are so gifted at relating REAL information and skipping the fluff. I love your blogs. Keep it up!
Amy
Happy Birthday! Sending prayers and hugs for all the upcoming doctors appointments. Please eat something bolus worthy:)
Happy Birthday!
I’m 31 and not pregnant yet, and when I asked my regular OB/GYN about seeing a high-risk doctor, she said, “This ain’t our first time at the Type 1 rodeo. We’re not skerred!” That totally won me over.
Thank you all so much! I’m so encouraged by your comments – I still get excited every time I get that “new comment” email!!!
@Lindsay – No tests today (thank God). I have to wait for my period to start before they suck my blood and x-ray/ultrasound me to death
@Crystal – Thanks! For the first time in a while, I actually feel optimistic about the whole fertility mess.
@Amy – If there’s one thing you can count on, it’s that I will always skip the fluff. I’m glad you appreciate that.
@Cherise – I’m eating a yummy red velvet cake courtesy of my awesome co-workers.
@Jacqui – I’m relieved that you wrote that because I LOVE my OB/GYN, and I really want her to handle my care. I see her in May, so I’ll get the full rundown then. I love the “we’re not skerred” line!
I have a question…
Is Dr S. at all connected to Dr. Suess? Or is that just my mind playing tricks on me, again.
Nevermind. I get it now. Wow… (Just ignore me – most do.)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Happy birthday!
About your OB, mine also told me that he would handle my pregnancy, but after the first trimester he changed his mind and we decided to go with the high-risk OB instead.
I really wanted to stay with my regular OB, but it was becoming more and more obvious that he (and his colleagues) did not have much confidence in their ability to handle my pregnancy even though I have had no complications.
I was nervous about switching, but the high-risk guy is great and everything is going well. I’m learning that pregnancy is one of those things that you can’t control 100% … sometimes you just have to roll with the unplanned changes.
Belated happy birthday!
When my mom was my age, I was on my way to being an obnoxious teenager. Just something that pops into my mind every now and then as well. Good luck with all the tests; they can be a pain in the ass (literally
).
Speaking of who shares your birthday, I’ll be seeing Bon Jovi on the 29th; I’ll think of you there.
Isn’t it funny how many doctors won’t trust your own judgment about your own body? I had to tell my surgeon 3 times that I felt like I had gall stones and he kept saying the symptoms weren’t right on. In the end, when I went in the 4th time and told him what had happened, he wanted to remove the gall bladder the next day!
Happy (belated) birthday! Sending lots of positive vibes your way !
Kelly K
Happy belated birthday and good luck with everything!
Shannon,
I finally became pregnant at 36 & my daughter was born when I was 37. Dr. Michael Vietz is a high-risk ob/gyn with an office in Eldersburg, he delivered Chloe some 15 years ago. He is well-respected in his field. His office number is 410.876.7049 if you’d like to check him out.
I am currently using Dr. Margery Kates in Owings Mills whose office phone is 410.581.9200. I found her because my daughter begged me to find a female doc for her gyn care … that 1st experience with the gyn can be extremely “distasteful” for a young woman. Chloe and I both adore Dr. Kates, who also hadles high-rish pregnancies. She recently delivered triplets!
I hope you find someone you and Dr. S are both thrilled with, whether or not you choose one of these two. But, at least they represent a possible start to the search! Best of luck to you, my dear.
Thanks for the suggestions, Laura. I ended up calling my regular OB/GYN’s office back later that day. I spoke with a different person who gave me a better answer: they do handle high-risk, but if it gets too dangerous, they refer to an OB who specializes in high-risk.
I LOVE my current OB/GYN – I’ve been seeing her for over 10 years and wouldn’t want anyone else delivering my child. Since she practices out of Mercy Hospital, I’ll have to use a high-risk who also does.
Thanks again for the advice, though! It’s always helpful to have options.