I found out two weeks ago I was a finalist for the asst. professor position at SUNY Plattsburgh (the home of George - baby daddy). It was a few more days before I found out the topic of the lecture I'd be giving. Richard (my dad was in town) and he is a great dad, but sometimes he thrives on being annoying (ask his sisters). He was insistent that I clean the house (unpack boxes from my move that have been happily sitting in the corner) prior to the baby shower that happened last Sunday... I kept telling him that in addition to having a real job, getting the house ready for the baby shower, and prepping for a three-day interview that the boxes could wait. NOPE.
We went to the doctor check-up on March 1. The doctor was concerned about my blood pressure and mentioned bed rest. I BEGGED her to allow me to go on the trip to New York as I had to take part in the interview to be considered for the job. I was a bit pissy with dad because he had totally stressed me out before the appointment and made an extremely unhealthy (salty/fried) breakfast. You see, dad is 66, he's retired and his life pretty much revolves around putzing around, watching judge shows and pooping. I'm not kidding.
Before the appointment I had explained that he HAD to be ready to go no later than 9 a.m. for my 9:15 a.m. appointment as I needed to ensure a permission slip in order to fly. To this I explained that he had to wake up by 7:30 a.m. and make (and drink) his coffee right away so nature wouldn't call at 9. GUESS WHAT? Yep, nature called just when I wanted to go, then he had to put on his boots, then he didn't want to drive because he doesn't like city driving... I did need to stop into work and grab my purse so I had an ID for the appointment so he's not entirely to blame, but we were LATE. ARGHHHHH.
Luckily, I was still seen. Because of the high blood pressure my doctor made me schedule an appointment with the nurse for a blood pressure recheck the following Friday (3/9). The week leading up to this check-up was too much - read on.
After a great baby shower (noted in prior post) I was tired, but needed to prep and teach on Monday (3/5). Class ended at 5:15 p.m. and I prepped for my guest lecture until midnight. I was in so much pain I cried for the last four hours. I could not walk at this point. Then I had to pack (don't even get me started on trying to find three pregnancy interview outfits). I finished packing around 1:30 a.m. and then dad wanted to watch judge shows on TV! WHAT? Go to bed. I yelled at him as we had to leave for the airport at 5:30 a.m.
I'm sleeping in the living room on a recliner as it's too painful to sleep lying down. Richard didn't like my tact, but I didn't care. I woke up at 4:30 a.m. and got ready. We made it to the airport (of course after dad took his poop putting us behind schedule). Then he went on his way back to Minne. My first layover was in Detroit and I had to go from terminal A to the very end of terminal C. It was horrible. I cramped up so bad I wanted to just go back home. People were so rude as they were upset i was actually standing in the standing lanes on the moving walk-way. I had to because my bag was too heavy and I was in so much pain. Made it though. George picked me up from Burlington and drove me to Plattsburgh. I had just enough time to freshen up before heading to the campus. I delivered my lecture and then went to dinner returning around 9 p.m. and crashing. I was so tired that I only woke up three times that night.
The next day consisted of eight hours of interviewing followed by Skyping into my MKE class. George picked me up and wanted me to stop in at the station to show people how pregnant I was. NO WAY. I was beat. I don't really care to show people my belly, especially when I was exhausted. This night was horrible, again I was in awful pain. George actually propped up couch cushions on a laundry basket so I was on an incline. I don't think people really understand the pain I'm in at night - it's exhausting. In addition to braxton hix contractions that last for 2-5 minutes, baby George pushing against my ribs, and throbbing pain from my past injuries on the entire left side of my body, I am woken up by the severe pain where my scar tissue is across my pelvis. It feels like someone is trying to rip my stomach open from the inside, while stabbing me from the outside. I have to get up to make it stop. Sometimes it hurts so bad it's like an out of body experience where I try to move but can't. If I do move the pain gets worse before it subsides. If I don't move, then the contractions and stabbing pain can last for more than 5 minutes. This has been getting progressively worse and worse for the past two months and I'm ready for it to be done...
Anyway, there was four more hours of interview on Thursday before I had to get back on the plane. I was able to read and prep a little for the next day's lecture while on the planes. My second flight out of Cleveland was great as I sat next to a very interesting "introvert" - he was reading a book on introversion and we had several very interesting conversations. I tried not to show my grimaces when the pain struck.
George's ex-wife, Karen, picked me up from the airport and I was so grateful because if I had to haul my suitcase up the stairs at this point I think I may have gone into labor. I got settled around 10:30 p.m. Then I was up again (mainly because I don't sleep for more than 1 1/2 hours at at time) at 3:30 a.m. to finish prepping from my Friday morning class.
Following class I went back to the doctor for my blood pressure check-up. You'll never guess -- my blood pressure was through the roof - DUH!
The nurse called my doctor three times, yet my doctor never asked to speak with me -- to me this is poor service. Without knowing everything mentioned above she was ready to admit me to the hospital if I didn't have someone staying with me (which I didn't). I "fibbed" a bit and told them my dad was on his way --- he is, he'll be here tomorrow. I was ordered to bed rest with NO WORK. I'm hoping to negotiate a bit tomorrow since I can do a lot from home (my job is being completely awesome!). We'll see.
I've tried to take it easy so hopefully my blood pressure will be a bit lower for tomorrow's check-up. Somehow I don't think that will happen. Noel will take me to the appointment so I don't have to lie when they asked if I drove (like I usually do). But my ankles have been swollen since Wednesday night and that's another not-so-good sign.
Wish me luck!