Cushing's Syndrome

I know there have been alot of questions about what is going on during this pregnancy and is everything going to be okay. We are hoping now that we found the cause of the high blood pressure that things will continue to get better and Brennen will continue to grow and make it to full term. Below I have included two links to sites that explain some of the symptoms and treatments of Cushing's syndrome. Hopefully now that the tumors are gone I will make a fairly speedy recovery. My endocrinologist is optimistic because my cortisol levels dropped drastically after surgery that the adrenal tumors were the cause and that removing my adrenal gland was beneficial. I am happy with that as I recover from surgery I wouldn't be happy to have gone through major abdominal surgery for nothing. I am still pretty sore, but getting better daily. I have to take replacement steroids right now until my other adrenal gland starts producing hormones. The downfall of that is that they are raising my blood glucose and now I have gestational diabetes. So now I have to check my blood pressure, my blood sugar and watch my diet. Hopefully I can avoid having to go on insulin.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cushings-syndrome/DS00470

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/hormone/623.html

Easter

Just a few pictures from Easter morning

Sophie was less not very cooperative

and Brie gave lots of cheezy smiles

but I did manage to get a few shots. None of the two of them together
Maybe next time

Eddie

In PA school, medical school, even nursing school they teach you when you see hoof prints to look for horses not zebras. So when we found that my blood pressure was high they looked for all of the simple things. When all of the normal tests came back normal they caulked it off as gestational hypertension and put me on medication. Still I continued to have unusual symptoms and suggested to the doctors that I thought there was something more. They continued to brush it off as pregnancy symptoms. I continued to say I was feeling different then my two previous pregnancies so they sent me to a Rheumatologist. When I explained my symptoms to him he finally believed me and ordered some tests. The tests confirmed that I have cushing's disease. Something very rare in the general population, but almost unheard of in pregnancy. Most people cannot get pregnant with cushings because of the hormonal imbalances. Take the hormones out of the situation like we did and it is possible. So after more tests of my urine, saliva and blood we have confirmed that I have this strange disease that is making me feel horrible. Luckily the baby seems to be fairing okay. He is growing great and as of my ultrasound yesterday he is 1 lb 9 oz. I am 24 weeks pregnant now so if he is born now he has a chance. Our goal though is obviously to keep him inside for much longer. Most of the research shows that the best way to do that is to remove the source of the cushings. The two most common places are a pituitary tumor or an adrenal tumor. Mine is coming from a tumor on my left adrenal gland. We found it yesterday with ultrasound and tomorrow I have an MRI to confirm it. Because of the pregnancy we are not messing around and Eddie, which is what we have named this nuisance, is going to come out on Thursday. I am not keen on having surgery, especially during pregnancy, but it needs to go. So Thursday it is. Eddie will be gone. The doctor says my symptoms will not go away right away it may actually take 6-12 months. Taking it out now though prevents me from having more symptoms and hopefully from having to deliver this little guy early.

Warmer Weather

A few weeks ago we got a little tease with some warm weather. We spent the afternoon at the park. The girls had a great time playing in the pirate ship, swings, and the slide.

Here are some new pics of our new baby boy.

He is growing well and is actually measuring a few days ahead. Hopefully he will continue to grow well and my blood pressure will remain under control. We are over half way there and are looking forward to meeting him at the end of July.

FOUR

Can you believe Brie is four already.

It seems like the time has flown by.





She is a big girl now in a little body.


She is still a little peanut and weights 28lbs


and is 37 1/2 inches tall.





She loves to ride her bike and has been asking to ride even in the snow.


She loves to color, paint and do crafts.


Her favorite her baby. She dresses her, feeds her, and changes her diaper.


She likes to watch dora.


Her favorite movie is Stuart Little.


Favorite food is still chicken and hot sauce.


She likes things that are girly, like her nails painted and makeup, but still loves to run and play and get dirty.


She still likes to whine, but now realizes that it gets her nowhere.


She can count to 17, knows her ABCs and can identify and write most of them.


She can write her name, knows where she lives, and her parents names.


She knows all of her shapes and colors


She finally enjoys going to preschool and actually plays with the other kids. She has friends that she talks about from school.


She does not like to share, especially with Sophie.



She loves fancy Nancy and is very into her accessories

San Diego Zoo

Despite both girls being sick we decided to venture out to the zoo.

The first few hours were a bit rough, Brie fussed while Sophie slept.
The grown ups did lots of walking and looking at the animals.
The girls basically lounged in their strollers. By the afternoon, Brie was feeling a little better and actually looked at some of the animals.