Help
Posted 08 September 2006 - 03:44 PM
Here's a picture taken last week of me with Daniel (then 4 weeks). Could I BE anymore in love?
To see more brand new photos of Daniel at 1 month of age, plus photos of my 5 year old on his first day of kindergarten, click here: http://www.picturetrail.com/lsb210 and then click on the FALL 2006 ALBUM
So here's an update:
Daniel is 5 weeks old now and FINALLY breast-feeding is feeling normal. If I hadn't successfully breastfed before I would have surely given up long before now. As you may recall, they diagnosed this pain I experience while breastfeeding as Raynaud's Syndrome or Raynaud's Disease. The medication, Nifedipine, I take for this nursing problem (and also for my blood pressure) seems to have finally kicked in to help the Raynauds (blood pressure still borderline high). If I had to describe the pain I experience when nursing, it's as if Daniel has a set of fangs when he's nursing and my breasts are filled with Tacks and broken glass that he clamps down on with each suck. It's truly excruciating. That's an improvement from what it was before, when it felt like Daniel was a terrorist with a dirty bomb exploding in my nipple, even just from the thought of nursing! I guess the medication is finally kicking in and now when I nurse on the right side it feels NORMAL! Woo Hoo!!! When I nurse on the left side I still feel pain for the first few minutes, but it's not excruciating and eventually that side feels nearly normal, too. I'm just so happy I no longer have to deal with the pumping and feeding him bottles. It was taking so much time and energy I didn't have. It's so much easier just to pop him on a boob.
As for the Parkinson's, it's so strange to have the symptoms again. I didn't realize just how dormant the symptoms were during the pregnancy until they returned. The symptoms still aren't back to the level where they were when I got pregnant, which is good news; it’s just difficult adjusting to having them back after hardly having any for almost 9 months. Too bad those pregnancy hormones aren’t a guarantee cure, or I’d have them inject me with them. Sometimes they can do just the opposite and your symptoms get worse. No guarantee. So I deal with the return of the tremor and the return of the stiffness and the return of the aches, pains and fatigue and I hate every moment. It's strange to wake up at night and not be able to walk normally. I end up doing a Parkinson's Shuffle to the bathroom and back. Once I'm completely awake and move around more the stiffness wears off and I'm pretty good the rest of the day unless I'm sitting or lying down for any length of time. I'm lucky now, as eventually (in years to come) that could be the way I walk all of the time. I know once I begin to exercise that stiffness will improve again.
I think the worst part is waking up too stiff to move, completely frozen in place. I remember this same thing happened after Joey was born, but back then I didn’t know I had Parkinson’s and it scared me. The unknown is far scarier. Now I not only know what it is, but I also know the “frozen” moment won’t last too long and I just need to be patient. Luckily Daniel (so far…knock on wood) has been a really good baby at night. I co sleep with Daniel, which makes it easier when I wake up unable to move because I can at least pop a pacifier in his mouth to quiet him until my muscles allow me to pick him up and cuddle. He’s pretty patient waiting for Mommy to move. It would be much more difficult if I had to go up the stairs to his nursery. Besides…I love co-sleeping with him.
So...keep your fingers crossed...I'm really hoping this is the week I can give a new meaning to PYBO (PILATES YOUR BABY-WEIGHT OFF)!!!
and I hope to finally be online more.(((HUGS))) all around
I don't have much time to post now but didn't want you to think we'd forget you so easily, silly girl! 
Gentle ((((Hugs))) 
I also liked the 'progression' ones with your 5 yr old inching closer and closer then finally holding the new baby. 
The b & w's are great, too. He looks so calm and after all that you've gone through, you deserve it! 
