Lovenox (Part III)

For about a week now I've been giving Danielle her injections of Lovenox (blood thinner). She still doesn't like it very much but apparently it feels better to have me do it for her. I'm not a huge fan of doing it, but I'm happy to do what I can to make it easier for her. Really the biggest problem is that I try not to hurt her so I don't try to jab her hard enough. Trying to be "gentle" seems to make the needle go in slower and those are usually the times it hurts her. When I really stick her (you know... pretend I'm aiming for a kidney or something) it seems to be OK.

Fun Facts:

For Danielle injections hurt worse on her right side

They hurt least closer to the front

Syringes still work when you pull the cap off badly and bend the needle

Inserting a needle half way and pulling out because you thought you missed is not the start of a romantic evening

Pregnancy is exciting in some ways and quite a strain in others. Right now, Danielle is sleeping on the couch with a heating pack on her face. Something started making her tooth hurt very badly at church this morning. Because of the pregnancy she can't take anything but Tylenol (which is basically a placebo). I end up feeling guilty because she seems to always be the one hurting.

At least as we sit down each night to give Danielle her injection, we can find joy in the fact that we're doing it together, and that there's a little love in every dose of Lovenox. (Barf.)

Lovenox continued…

So today is the second day I've had to give myself the Lovenox injections. It's not as bad as I thought it was going to be, but I'm still trying to get over the part where I have to stab myself in the stomach, lol. Tonight I was being such a chicken that I actually ended up sticking the needle in and stupidly pulled it back out before I put the medicine in, ha ha. Anyway, Cliff caught a photo...

Needles? Yikes!

About 5 years ago I was diagnosed with a blood disorder that causes me to clot easier than most. I had been on birth control for ovarian cysts and within a month I had 2 blood clots which is how I found out about the blood disorder. I was taken off of the birth control and never had a problem since. So today I got a phone call from Dr. Umstead's office (he's my obstetrician) and after reviewing my file and my lab results, he's decided to start me on Lovenox which is a blood thinner. Tomorrow I'll be going into his office so that they can show me how to give myself an injection which I'll have to do everyday throughout my pregnancy. Needles never used to bother me but I've really come to dislike them over the past few years. I'm definitely not looking forward to it but I know it will all be worth it in the end. With me being such a big baby, any prayers would be greatly appreciated! ha ha!