Tuesday, November 24, 2009

OverAnalyzing

This whole pregnancy thing just might have been easier before the invention of all these tests that tell us probably too much information that doesn't really mean what we think it might mean...

I got the results back from the second HCG test last night. I was hoping it might be somewhat definitive in that either the levels were not going up at all, or else the levels would double... either way, that would have been a pretty clear sign.

What did I get? How about an increase of 50%? 72 hours after the level was at 22,000, it came back at 33,000. Hmmm. Still pretty high, but I thought the levels had to go up by at least 65% every 72 hours to show healthy pregnancy?

I got the results via email last night. So of course I spent the rest of the evening googling HCG levels and trying my best to diagnose myself, to no avail of course. I found some info that said levels should be doubling every 72ish hours throughout the first trimester, and some info that said once levels are high (over 6,000) they don't necessarily have to double.

The thing that I found most interesting last night was one website that said that once your HCG level hits 6,000 you should be able to see fetal activity via ultrasound. Hmmm. I had an ultrasound done 3 days prior to getting that first HCG level back (the one that said 22,000) so surely I must have had hcg over 6,000 on that day? But they found an empty sack that day.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

Can you hear it? That's my head hitting the wall.

This morning I got a phone call from a nurse who pretty much knew nothing other than what my chart said. She told me my hcg levels were going up. Duh. I asked her if they had to double. She didn't know. I asked to talk to the doctor.

Eventually this morning I got to talk with the doctor about the results. She actually said that a rise of 22K to 33K over 72 hours wasn't something that concerned her, and that those levels put me in the normal range for 7-8 weeks pregnant, which is where she thought I was based on my LMP. But then we talked about the ultrasound last week that had me measuring just 5 weeks when the hcg levels surely must have been well over 6,000... she agreed and said that the blood test didn't match up with what was seen on the ultrasound so she ordered another ultrasound for tomorrow.

Bless her for not making me wait another week.

So that's all I've got. I can analyze it all day and night but I'm not going to know anything for sure until I go get the ultrasound tomorrow. And I swear, if it comes up with some ambiguous result I'm going to have a fit right there on the table.

17 comments:

RunningMama said...

I'm sorry, hon! I know how hard this is!

Kate Parker said...

Sending you some good thoughts and praying for some resolution for you tomorrow.

Clare said...

ugh. at least it's tomorrow and not next week. good luck.

Relentless Forward Commotion said...

oh man! I am thinking of you and hoping you get an answer tomorrow!!

Molly said...

Sending you TONS of good thoughts for a decisive determination tomorrow.

Marit C-L said...

Oh Michelle - I'm thinking of you!!! Sending good vibes and keeping my fingers crossed for you! Hopefully everything is okay and you'll know what's going on! Not knowing is just awful...

Hugs to you!

GetBackJoJo said...

Thinking of you, Michelle! tough stuff. heart goes out to you.
xoxo

Ange said...

yes, I would be having a fit too.
Deep breaths. Two hcg tests with high levels is a great start.
thoughts are with you!!!

Jennifer Yake Neuschwander said...

I have never been in your shoes and have no knowledge in this arena but I'm sending good thoughts your way. I really appreciative that you do share what you share. I think there are a lot of us "young" triathletes looks ahead and wondering how things will work when we take the next step in life. Reading your blog is amazingly helpful.

Regina said...

Hang in there. You'll know something soon (although I know not soon enough for your liking). I do understand your anxiety though. It sucks to have to play the waiting game. I am a medical, self diagnosing googler like you. My rational brain tells me to stop, but my emotional brain seems to have more say in the matter, thus drowning out the rational part.

I hope you get a definitive answer.

GoBigGreen said...

UGh...hang in there:)

Big Daddy Diesel said...

Hang in there, sending some good mojo that way.

Teresa said...

So frustrating. Yeah, what did we do without all the tests and of course the internet. Enjoy the holiday and I will be sending good thoughts your way.

tn

N.D. said...

I hope that everything went well today. So frustrating!

Anonymous said...

OH man I have been hanging on to each blog post hoping you find out!!! I am going nuts and I am just reading your blog... I can only imagine how you must feel! I'm sorry you have to go through this and I have my fingers and toes crossed you get GREAT news soon!

P.S. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Nitsirk said...

I am so sorry that you are going through this. Not knowing is agony. Hang in there.

Angela and David said...

Ahhh! So frustrating. Hopefully T-Giving doesn't just prolong your waiting.