A Year of Dreams Come True - long post

[Guest guest]

Hi Ladies,

I joined this group shortly after my VBG last May. Though I visit

now and again, it is infrequent that I post. I had to write today

and share, though, because I know my story hits a familiar chord

with many of you here.

Preop, I had many health issues, not the least of which was PCOS. In

2000, my hubby and I did the clomid thing with disastrous results in

many ways. At the time, the OB put me on the max dose for double the

usual time frame (150mg x 10 days) and he wanted to do that for two

months to see if it would help. Well, the first u/s showed follicles

that weren't big enough yet, and when I went for the second u/s a

few days later, I had big hopes that they had grown enough to inject

the profasi to release them. The follicles had shrunk instead of

grown. Of course I was devestated...but so much else was going on at

the time - my dad had almost died, Dave's parents had BOTH died, and

i was going through post traumatic stress disorder, which landed me

in the hospital on two admissions for over five months total..All

this in the first 3.5 yrs of marriage. I don't know somedays how he

stood by me when I tried so very hard to leave this world.

Time goes by, healing begins then strengthens and I truly do believe

that miracles happen. In May of 2003, I had my VBG. To date, in the

nine months, I have lost just shy of 105 lb. I just turned 35 and

for the first time in my adult life, I feel younger and healthier

than my years. The first miracle happened two weeks to the day post

op - I got my first menstrual period without needing provera for the

first time in OVER TWO YRS...I remember crying in the shower that

day of happiness. And, I have had a period every month since,

unassisted. I heeded my Dr's advice about using birth control after

his story of the 3 month post op lady with longstanding infertility

getting pregnant and having a very difficult time. It was a joyous

day in our home a few weeks ago throwing away the condoms!!! Who

would have thought that after almost 7 yrs of marriage we would have

needed them...lol...

This month has been amazing - I was interviewed for a local news

story about bariatric surgery and I got a new job. I am an RN and

have worked in peds for over 10yrs. In 2002, feeling very vulnerable

from dealing with dying children every day and needing a change, I

was hired into a new service in our province - A telephone health

advice service. I was so lucky to get in as there were about 180

applicants for the first 25 positions. Though I love what I do alot,

I have healed enough now that I miss bedside nursing alot...So, I

applied for and accepted a casual position on the

antepartum/postpartum unit of the hospital down the street! I start

in 10 days and couldn't be more excited about the orientation...

The best, most exciting, shocking and beautiful news this week I

found out this morning..Since the surgery, I have been having

periods between 21-41 days (nice range, lol... that makes ovulation

difficult to predict). I have been an avid fan of the FAM (Fertility

Awareness Method) and have been half heartedly charting since Jan in

preparation for being able to start trying to have kids. Anyway,

today is about day 35 in the cycle, and just because I had one

sitting in the bathroom for the past yr , I took a HPT...AND IT WAS

POSITIVE!!! For the first time in 6 yrs, I actually got to see the

line in the window, instead of just imagining it to be there...I am

stunned, scared and so very over the top with happiness. Dave, of

course looks like the deer in headlight right now..lol..We have told

his brother, my brother, best friend and of course, my parents...So

many people have been praying for us and it is just so overwhelming

right now. Dave cracks me up tho - typical man...made me go out and

get yet another pkg of tests...He is trying to be " cool " but he has

already started doing moose and deer calls into my belly (he is an

avid hunter)...

Whatever happens, and I truly truly hope in my heart this pregnancy

is healthy and happy, it is so amazing to know that my body is

finally working the way it should be...and on the first try too!

Anyway, sorry this post is so long, but I had to write and get it

out. I am sure I will be posting with lots of questions, especially

around nutrition, etc...I too am also concerned about meds during

pregnancy as I have been on pantoloc (pantoprazole) since the

surgery for reflux. Has anyone else been on it? Anyone know about

its safety during pregnancy? I will be seeing my Dr very soon and

will ask her of course...I also take oxycodone for severe migraines,

which I DEFINITELY am scared about taking during pregancy. Though

from what I hear, migraines usually/sometimes decrease in the 2nd

and 3rd trimester....

What an amazing adventure to start the spring off!

Hugs to all,

VBG - May 6/03 -104lb so far (soon to be less I imagine!)

Incisional hernia x 2 repair & lysis of adhesions Oct 28/03