18 weeks 2days

I'll start off by saying Baby Steier is growing, kicking and perfect! We are so happy to know he or she is healthy and looks great. I always stress out a lot until we go to this appt. There are so many things that could be wrong and to know that everything looks great right now is such a relief! He or she is actually measuring a few days ahead of schedule, even though I still don't look too pregnant! I know I will gain that weight before too long =)

This morning I also had my appt. with the general surgeon to discuss my gall bladder issues. We found out that I have two kidney stones, although I currently do not have any pain from them so we didn't even discuss them further. But the gall bladder is full! The doctor said basically my body is already functioning like I don't have my gallbladder b/c its so full of stones its not working at all. That was surprising. I went into the appt. assuming they would tell me I had one or two stones and to suck it up and deal with it! We didn't get to see the picts though. We left the appt. knowing the surgeon recommended that I have surgery this week, but that we wanted to confirm with my OB that he was on board and agreed.

At our OB appt. we first had the ultrasound and the tech asked if we saw my gallbladder. We told her we hadn't so she asked if we wanted to. Duh, of course we did! So she showed us and I was shocked to see all the stones fill up the entire gallbladder. I was so surprised! She also showed me the kidney stones which looked huge to me! But anyways it was cool to see and also reassuring that we were thinking about surgery and it really is necessary. Our OB who is just amazing, was the one who called in a favor and got us in to see the surgeon so quickly. He agreed that it needs to be done now. The risk to me is almost non-existent and the risk to the baby is so minimal at this point. If we wait a couple weeks it increases since me uterus will be above my belly button by then and that's how they go in so...it was a no-brainer for us. The surgeon actually gave us his cell phone number for my OB to call so they could discuss and get on the same page. I am so glad we have such amazing doctors on our side!

I admit I'm nervous. Its not just me we have to worry about and that is scary no matter how minimal the risk may be to the baby. The surgery will be done laparoscopicaly as outpatient surgery with a 1-2 week recovery time at home. Unfortunately I was scheduled to travel to Ohio for the week with Jayne, Jared is traveling to CA for work and Jared's aunt & uncle are going to the beach. So both Jared's mom and my mom offered to fly in and help us out. I hate taking help, I'm working on that, but knowing I can't heal properly and take care of myself and the baby while chasing my busy little toddler around, we gladly asked & accepted their help! Jared's mom is coming in Wed-Sunday and my mom is coming in Sunday through Friday.  I'll feel bad if recovery isn't bad and I don't really need them for that long, but they both said how they would feel bad if I did need them and they weren't here...so it works out!

- T -