Doctor's Orders and Perspective

Shonn and I went to the doctor again yesterday.  (I feel like a preferred customer!) We waited for two hours and finally saw the doctor.  I was grouchy about the wait and uncomfortable in the chairs.  Then we went in for an internal ultrasound to check cervical length and my favorite ultrasound tech was doing it.  She is very patient, personable, and kind.  After years of working at an OB clinic and TTC, she and her husband finally had another baby last spring.  So I asked her how her family was doing, expecting she might show me pictures or tell me a funny baby story. Instead, she shared that her husband was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer.  They are young!  And vibrant! I didn't know what to say, except how sorry I was to hear such bad news and that we would pray for them.  Suddenly, the wait at the office wasn't so important. (Please add this family to your prayer list!)

These are the ultrasound techs at our office. (They do 3D ultrasounds - so amazing.)  Please pray for Joyce, on the far left.

We then headed back to wait for the doctor.  On our way, I saw him standing at his computer station eating an apple.  Our appointment was at 10:40, and at this point, it was 11:45.  I wondered if that was his lunch and then didn't think much more about it.  The nurse came in and my blood pressure was "good", but seemed low to me: 98/69.  (I'm usually around 110/70)  The medication I'm taking is for blood pressure, though, so I guess that makes sense.

An hour later, the doctor came in. I was back to being grumpy about the wait, this time in a not-so-comfy chair. Looking back, I'm embarrassed about how quickly I forgot about the lesson I had just learned.  (I'm blaming it on hunger...???) When he came in, Shonn and I had several questions.  He was helpful and said I could not go anywhere except the baby shower this weekend. I asked about church and he said he was okay with that, but that I needed to stay seated.  (Am I pushing it here?)  He also said I would be on the medication until at least 37 weeks and that I would be on bed rest until the baby comes.  He would not move our c-section date due to state regulations that prevent him from scheduling c-sections prior to 39 weeks and there not being any openings prior to April 15.  He did say that if anything changes with my contractions, more early labor, or other health problems (e.g.; pre-eclampsia), he would go ahead with a c.  The baby sounded great and was moving a lot, so he was happy about that. :)

Later that day, I recalled him standing at the counter, eating an apple, and I realized AGAIN what a brat I was being about having to wait.  Obviously, no one makes people wait on purpose.  And he probably didn't even get to have lunch.  Our next appointment is Monday the 11th (my birthday!) and we get to have more ultrasounds! YAY!  I am resolving to be in a better frame of mind about the wait.  (And take a book.)

This is Dr. Schultheis, our doctor.  He delivered Beckett, and will deliver Baby Girl.  His hair is longer now; I will get a real photo with him next week!