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View Full Version : My First Appt!!!


chopstickgirl
06-15-2006, 02:18 PM
Ok, it went SOOOOOOOOO well, I can't even tell you guys. I was just sobbing on the way home, b/c I feel like I actually have "permission" to be excited about my pregnancy.

Dr.Sanko is amazing. He is one of the nicest doctors I have ever met in my life. He was so reassuring (yet realistic) and I feel 100% confident placing my life in his hands.

My appt-let's see, SO much stuff...

First of all, and sadly, I am going to start taking those evil lovenox shots again. This was my choice though, and I feel good about it. He told me that I didn't have to take them, he was comfortable with me not, b/c mostly the chance of another clot is highest after giving birth, and we could just get my blood tested periodically thru the pregnancy etc...he also offered to refer me to the vascular surgeon at strong, but I didn't feel that was necessary. The shots are not something that hurt Mairi (nursing) or the baby, so really there is NO reason other than the fact they hurt like a bitch, to not take them. I'd rather be safe than sorry and do every single thing I can during this pregnancy to err on the side of caution. I do only have to have one a day, so that's not as bad. I like the fact that he let it be my choice, and gave me options. And he was happy that I am going to take them-he agreed, better safe than sorry.

What else..all best case scenario here, but since I have 85% odds of having the best case scenario happen, (and b/c of God 100% chance, woohoo!), I feel good talking about and planning on this...

I will be induced. Probably about a week before my due date. The reason for this is, Dr.Sanko feels most confdient for me to deliver in a controlled environment. With PPCM there is a lot of unknowns and he wants to have the best staff on hand to make sure of the best possible outcome. Also b/c I will need to have the lovenox out of my system for like a week before I deliver. Not sure why, but I will ask next time.

Also, he really wants me to have a vaginal birth. This I am THRILLED with. He sees no reason NOT to have vaginal, unless I have a long or hard labor. Also I don't HAVE to have an epidural, as long as I am not in pain and I am calm (ie easy, quick labor) However, if it's very painful and I'm very stressed, I have to have the epidural. (sidenote: I am going to look into hynobirthing for this birth)

If the induction doesn't take right away (like my cervix isn't soft/open/ready to go) I will have to have a csection. B/c they can't stress out my body by MAKING it have labor, if it won't cooperate. So we will all pray that the induction will take right away, and I'll be ready to go.

So that is all good news, and not my ideal birth, but things I feel comfortable with and have made my peace about.

Also started on iron pills, to ward off anemia, as that strains the heart out a lot.

Additionally, he did like the fastest pap smear known to man. Seriously. It was amazing.

I have to go every 2 weeks to see him, during my pregnancy. Maybe see the cardio once a month, or maybe once each trimester. Just depends.

I had TEN vials of blood drawn today, eep.

So I can't say enough thanks to Laura, for giving me Dr. Sanko's info (and Laura btw, my PCP doc's receptionist had Dr. S deliver both her babies and she adores him too LOL) and Laura has just been an angel in my life these past few weeks, she's an amazing, strong woman to be so pregnant, have toddler twins, and be caring enough to help me out.

I also had an u/s today and everything looks great, measuring 8.5w, so that's cool. First baseline pregnancy echo on Tues, PRAYING for 55-65% (I was at 50% in January)

Thanks for listening and all the love, understanding and support.

*hugs*

JEN

Elliesmom
06-15-2006, 02:26 PM
that is absolutely wonderful!!! i am so happy to hear all went well and you are comfortable and got the support that you need and deserve. i am very happy for you!

agm324
06-15-2006, 03:16 PM
Jen,

I am so glad your appt. went so well. I do have a question...has this doctor dealt with many patients with this condition? What was his opinion about the outcome if it did happen again?? I ask these questions, not because I think he is crazy or you are crazy.. I ask because I am hoping MY doctors are crazy!!!! I am still trying to decided what to do and am looking for as many opinions as I can get!!! I feel that you are so lucky.. God gave you this baby..I would love to not have to make this decision and just get pregnant.. then I know it would be a sign from God. Does that make sense? It may happen..I just can't make the decision right now and be at peace.. but..if the birth control failed or I ended up preg.. I would be thrilled.. AM I CRAZY!!! :)

Anyway.. keep us posted and ANY information would be wonderful.. I know everything will good for you.. and as we plug along in this world.. it seems that the numbers and odds increase everyday! Your doctor also sounds like he knows what he is doing!!!

Thanks for any info!

Alana

LauraNP
06-15-2006, 05:04 PM
Told ya so, told ya so, told ya so :)

Did you get into Dr. Thomas for the echo?

chopstickgirl
06-15-2006, 07:39 PM
alana~I hear you!! that is totally how i felt. i KNOW with God, the odds are 100%!!! He created this new baby, and He will see us thru this. It took us 3 years to have Mairi, so I am not a fertile myrtile by any means. I know this happening just meant it was God's timing.

Anyway, my doctor said actually at my appt that he's had an influx of cardiomyopathy patients (and told Laura he should go into that business LOL)

He was real with me-and said "worst case scenario, you can die" but, I think looking at pregnancy and childbirth realistically, ANYONE can die in pregnancy and childbirth, kwim? So that didn't scare me really. And he seemed to think that if it DID come back, we could catch it early enough to prevent CHF and control it with meds etc.

He feels like I did a good thing starting this pregnancy with an EF of 50% (as of 6m ago, we all hope to see higher numbers on tues, 55-65%!!!) and losing weight, being healthy, taking all the precautions I can during this pregnancy.

All this being said, I AM pregnant. So no clue what he would say if a PPCM patient went to him asking advice on getting pregnant, kwim? Horse of a different color, perhaps.

He plans to just keep a close eye on me, regular heart testing, 2 week appts, so on and so forth.

Also he didn't say anything to me about losing any of the numerous cardiomyopathy OB patients he's had lately-so hopefully that means they are still doing fabulously. I will have to ask him more in depth about that *unless laura knows?*

*hugs*

SarahsMom
06-15-2006, 07:39 PM
Awesome, sounds like your doctor is right on top of everything...it's SO very important. Good for you!!! Enjoy this pregnancy your in great hands.

Kari

LauraNP
06-15-2006, 07:52 PM
alana~I hear you!! that is totally how i felt. i KNOW with God, the odds are 100%!!! He created this new baby, and He will see us thru this. It took us 3 years to have Mairi, so I am not a fertile myrtile by any means. I know this happening just meant it was God's timing.

Anyway, my doctor said actually at my appt that he's had an influx of cardiomyopathy patients (and told Laura he should go into that business LOL)

He was real with me-and said "worst case scenario, you can die" but, I think looking at pregnancy and childbirth realistically, ANYONE can die in pregnancy and childbirth, kwim? So that didn't scare me really. And he seemed to think that if it DID come back, we could catch it early enough to prevent CHF and control it with meds etc.

He feels like I did a good thing starting this pregnancy with an EF of 50% (as of 6m ago, we all hope to see higher numbers on tues, 55-65%!!!) and losing weight, being healthy, taking all the precautions I can during this pregnancy.

All this being said, I AM pregnant. So no clue what he would say if a PPCM patient went to him asking advice on getting pregnant, kwim? Horse of a different color, perhaps.

He plans to just keep a close eye on me, regular heart testing, 2 week appts, so on and so forth.

Also he didn't say anything to me about losing any of the numerous cardiomyopathy OB patients he's had lately-so hopefully that means they are still doing fabulously. I will have to ask him more in depth about that *unless laura knows?*

*hugs*

Dunno if he's lost any of his other cardiomyopathy patients. I don't think he would tell me unless I asked.

With close monitoring they're going to pick up on a problem before it gets too bad. You're going to be fine!!

Janelle
06-15-2006, 11:07 PM
Glad to hear you are getting the support you deserve. I can just feel the excitement in your words! Keep us posted on your progress-I'll be thinking of you and your family.. Good luck!!:) :)

lilyjack
06-16-2006, 06:57 PM
I'm so glad you can finally rejoice about your baby! And he didn't yell at you, just like Laura promised. Yay, you and Yay, doctor!