Yesterday I got a phone call from the Dr's office in Le Mars. The Dr. had taken blood to perform a TORCH test while I was in the hospital.The TORCH test is an infectious-disease antibody titer test. It measures the types and level of concentrations of antibodies in the blood. TORCH stands for toxoplasmosis, other infections, rubella, cytomegalovirus (CMV), and herpes simples virus (HSV). Well, the Le Mars Dr. got my results back yesterday, and they found out that I tested positive for CMV..... This means that I had antibodies within my blood, representing that at some point in my life I had contracted this virus, but currently my body is only carrying the antibodies. (http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/TORCH+test)
Cytomegalovirus is a part of the herpes virus complex. (http://dictionary.webmd.com/terms/cytomegalovirus(cmv)). It's very common, and infects up to 80% of people in the US by the age of 40. It doesn't cause problems for most people because a healthy immune system can easily control it. CMV is an infection that can enter your body a lot like "regular" herpes through body secretions, but it is rare. Most people who are infected don't know about it because CMV usually doesn't cause any symptoms. (http://www.webmd.com/hiv-aids/aids-hiv-opportunistic-infections-cytomegalovirus)
According to a friends sister, who is an NICU Nurse, it's basically "mono." Just like the flu, mono has different strains. This is basically a strain of mono that I had never known I had gotten. It can be passed on just like a cold, from person to person, without anyone even knowing. According to this nurse, it won't affect future pregnancies for me because my body is building immunity as I type this blog.
We also visited the OBGYN today for a "post-natal" check-up... even though it's not a normal check up. As much as I wish it was normal, it so wasn't. After walking into the clinic, there of course, was a mother holding her baby. There were also other pregnant ladies that were sitting in the waiting room, which just made me want to have my own little bump that still kicked and nudged. When we spoke with the Dr. in Des Moines, she reviewed my TORCH results with me again. I had the Le Mars Hospital fax them to my OBGYN so we could discuss it with my regular doctor. Welp. It turns out that my TORCH test was normal for all of the parts. Even the CMV test was normal. My Dr. in Des Moines didn't know why the Le Mars Hospital would call me and inform me that I tested positive when my numbers were in normal range and were not to cause a concern. Well. This of course pissed me off. I couldn't understand why I was told that I tested positive for a virus, which is actually a common thing, when my numbers were completely normal. The Hospital didn't explain to me at all what my results meant. This of course caused a restless night last night. Keeping me tossing and turning a majority of the night wondering if THIS was the answer to our issues.
The Dr. in Des Moines went through guidelines and limits for me that I need to follow for the next while. She also answered our questions about the CMV, informing us that it was nothing to be worried about and that it would not effect future pregnancies. This was a bit of a relief, making me hopeful for our future pregnancy(s?).
As the days slowly pass by, I am just keeping myself busy. Of course, I lay in bed each night, cry a little, and eventually fall asleep. But I'm keeping strong. Taking it one day at a time. Cathy (my mother-in-law) has been here for me this week. She has pretty much packed up the entire trailer and is prepping us to move after I return from Denver. I leave for Denver on Sunday, and will be there for 8 days with Brad. It will be a nice little vacation for me, get my mind off of things, go shopping, and spend some time with friends. I'm also looking forward to starting a job after I return, but am waiting to hear back from a few that I have applied for also.
Keeping busy, taking it one day at a time, and just having hope in a future has helped me grieve this past week the best. I look forward to a future with my husband, and a future child of course. <3 nbsp="nbsp" p="p">
Love, Roz
The Dr. in Des Moines went through guidelines and limits for me that I need to follow for the next while. She also answered our questions about the CMV, informing us that it was nothing to be worried about and that it would not effect future pregnancies. This was a bit of a relief, making me hopeful for our future pregnancy(s?).
As the days slowly pass by, I am just keeping myself busy. Of course, I lay in bed each night, cry a little, and eventually fall asleep. But I'm keeping strong. Taking it one day at a time. Cathy (my mother-in-law) has been here for me this week. She has pretty much packed up the entire trailer and is prepping us to move after I return from Denver. I leave for Denver on Sunday, and will be there for 8 days with Brad. It will be a nice little vacation for me, get my mind off of things, go shopping, and spend some time with friends. I'm also looking forward to starting a job after I return, but am waiting to hear back from a few that I have applied for also.
Keeping busy, taking it one day at a time, and just having hope in a future has helped me grieve this past week the best. I look forward to a future with my husband, and a future child of course. <3 nbsp="nbsp" p="p">
Love, Roz
It breaks my heart to read your posts as of late. I used to look forward to your weekly pregnancy updates, and read each and every one. Thank you for keeping those of us far away in the loop so we can know how to specifically pray for you guys. <3
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