Glucose is not yummy
A couple of weeks ago I had my first regular prenatal check up. The usual stats were checked, the baby's heartbeat was listened to, I was given some pamphlets about different topics, and I left behind a decent amount of blood. I asked when I would get the results of the bloodwork (though I was only concerned about the glucose tolerance test) and was told by the end of the week. The following Wednesday I hadn't heard anything so I called the clinic. A nurse called me back and promptly scolded me by saying, "we don't call unless there's a problem, so No News Is Good News." I explained that I'd been told I'd hear something, and she just repeated her No News Is Good News line.
About 20-30 minutes later, I got another call. It was the same nurse. This time she told me that there had been a "lab accident" so I needed to come in to redo the 1 hour glucose tolerance test. All the other tests were ok. So, when she'd called me earlier to bitch at me, she hadn't actually checked my results yet? And why did it take over a week from the initial test for anyone to check my results?
I went in the next day and did the damn test over again, choking down the nasty Fruit Punch glucose drink. It doesn't really taste bad, but something about the Fruit Punch flavor makes the back of my tongue start feeling weird and I have to force myself to swallow it.
Monday the nurse called while I was out. Dale called me and gave me her number. I got her voicemail, but since my destination went past the clinic, I stopped by in person. Unsurprisingly, my glucose levels were elevated so I needed to do the 3 hour fasting test.
Dale and I planned for me to go in early this morning. I didn't wake up until 9:30, then I took my time getting out of the house, so I didn't get to the clinic until 10:30, already 11 hours since I'd last eaten or drunk anything. Renata, the awesome phlebotomist at the clinic, drew my fasting blood then gave me a choice of glucose flavors. I was debating between the orange and the "cola" when she cracked open the cola flavor and said she'd let me taste it to see what I thought. It was like semi-flat RC Cola with extra sugar but didn't make my tongue try to hide in my throat, so I just drank that. Afterwards, Renata gave me a big cup of water and told me to take my time drinking it.
I thought I'd paced myself fine with the water, but about 45 minutes after the testing had begun, I was feeling really sick. I asked the receptionist if I could have a piece of sugarless gum and she asked the nurses. They said I couldn't. :( I was about to go for a little walk outside for some fresh air when Renata came out and got me. She put me in a small cool room with a big comfy recliner. I wasn't any less nauseous, but I was more comfortable while fighting to keep from throwing up.
I got to stay in that room until all the testing was done, leaving only for the blood draws and a few potty breaks. Once the water started passing out of my system, my nausea eased. By the time I left the clinic, I was only hungry. Not surprising since it had been 14 hours since I'd last had food (which I'd thrown up right before bed).
Nurse No News Is Good News used her favorite line on me at least twice while I was at the clinic. Just before I left I asked when I'd hear any not good news. In a couple of days I'll probably be informed that I'm a gestational diabetic again.
**crossposted from strangepath.net**
About 20-30 minutes later, I got another call. It was the same nurse. This time she told me that there had been a "lab accident" so I needed to come in to redo the 1 hour glucose tolerance test. All the other tests were ok. So, when she'd called me earlier to bitch at me, she hadn't actually checked my results yet? And why did it take over a week from the initial test for anyone to check my results?
I went in the next day and did the damn test over again, choking down the nasty Fruit Punch glucose drink. It doesn't really taste bad, but something about the Fruit Punch flavor makes the back of my tongue start feeling weird and I have to force myself to swallow it.
Monday the nurse called while I was out. Dale called me and gave me her number. I got her voicemail, but since my destination went past the clinic, I stopped by in person. Unsurprisingly, my glucose levels were elevated so I needed to do the 3 hour fasting test.
Dale and I planned for me to go in early this morning. I didn't wake up until 9:30, then I took my time getting out of the house, so I didn't get to the clinic until 10:30, already 11 hours since I'd last eaten or drunk anything. Renata, the awesome phlebotomist at the clinic, drew my fasting blood then gave me a choice of glucose flavors. I was debating between the orange and the "cola" when she cracked open the cola flavor and said she'd let me taste it to see what I thought. It was like semi-flat RC Cola with extra sugar but didn't make my tongue try to hide in my throat, so I just drank that. Afterwards, Renata gave me a big cup of water and told me to take my time drinking it.
I thought I'd paced myself fine with the water, but about 45 minutes after the testing had begun, I was feeling really sick. I asked the receptionist if I could have a piece of sugarless gum and she asked the nurses. They said I couldn't. :( I was about to go for a little walk outside for some fresh air when Renata came out and got me. She put me in a small cool room with a big comfy recliner. I wasn't any less nauseous, but I was more comfortable while fighting to keep from throwing up.
I got to stay in that room until all the testing was done, leaving only for the blood draws and a few potty breaks. Once the water started passing out of my system, my nausea eased. By the time I left the clinic, I was only hungry. Not surprising since it had been 14 hours since I'd last had food (which I'd thrown up right before bed).
Nurse No News Is Good News used her favorite line on me at least twice while I was at the clinic. Just before I left I asked when I'd hear any not good news. In a couple of days I'll probably be informed that I'm a gestational diabetic again.
**crossposted from strangepath.net**