If you guessed my hoo ha you would be…WRONG!
What was that – the dreaded tooshie trauma nobody tells you about pre delivery? Nope! WRONG AGAIN.
That whole private area is just peachy, thanks.
Ah – you are thinking then it must be the boobies! I would love to say yes because I am in incredible boobie pain right now but WRONG AGAIN!
Jeez – you must be wondering post childbirth what else could there be?
Well folks, my flippin’ LEFT ARM feels like it needs to be cut off and it has since about 1 hour after I arrived at the hospital on Tuesday. I tweeted at 6:30 am that the IV was in after 3 tries. Very painful tries. I posted a pic at 9:30 am because it was hurting so much!
Here is my arm after the major screw up…you can also see the automated blood pressure cuff that created pain worse than my contractions. Much worse at times. Every time it compressed the blood vessels in my lower arm and hand swelled and created a terrible pressure. It was hell.
2 Failed Tries
Here is my relief when the new nurse got it right, using a smaller needle she said was more appropriate, on the other side.
Immense Relief
Here is how my left hand looked an hour ago – it is getting better. SCARY! All the nurses while I was in the hospital commented on the swiftly developing bruise. They ask you where it hurts – I repeatedly told them, to their surprise – my LEFT ARM!
Horror Hand
Then, I did something really stupid. It turns out I was way overdue for my tetanus shot and at 9 pm on Wednesday a lovely nurse rectified this problem. This one shot has created a pain in my upper arm to compete with my lower arm. I have similar bruising although I can’t get a picture of it. The OB said this happens sometimes with tetanus. I told her I could barely move my arm and I just had a baby. I sort of need this arm. She said I should call on Monday if it still hurts. I will be on hold at 8:30 am sharp because holy crap does it still hurt! And the injection site is now a hideous lump! I only have a pic the morning after they gave me the shot.
Already Bruising on Thursday
So now I am having trouble doing a lot of things, including typing a lot for this blog, because I have limited use of my LEFT ARM. Between breastfeeding and my new handicap I am one handed at the computer. Things take a long time with one hand.
So for now lots of pics and a little sarcasm and a lot of love just not a lot of words. This post took forever to type. If I do not cut my own arm off I will be back to my way too wordy posts soon.
XOXO
Brittany
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
I can relate. I had horrible hand and wrist pain for months after giving birth–I had NO IDEA that would happen. There are things you just don’t find out until after you give birth. But then I also had all the other pains you mentioned too. Except they were way worse than anyone had described to me and lasted well past the magic six week mark.
amie´s last blog ..A Few Reasons Why It is Not A Good Idea to Have Dogs While Trying to Teach a Toddler to be Human
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Make sure you call the dr if it keeps hurting. And I agree the pressure cuffs can hurt a lot.. they get really tight.
Ouch to your poor had as well.
I was in an accident once and was hospitalized. I got a tetnus shot as well..guess which arm the nurses preferred for my blood pressure checks…. yep and omg the pain.
Glad the lady parts are “well” xx
Vodka Logic´s last blog ..Sunday Rerun-Happiness is a Room Inside My Head
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Eep.
As a fellow hard-to-find-a-vein person, I feel your pain (well, I sympathize.). My OB’s office won’t even draw my blood – I have to go to a lab every 2-4 weeks so they can do it b/c the OB’s office doesn’t get butterfly needles (apparently those are the small ones).
And I have to admit I’m a bit concerned about this “dreaded tooshie trauma” of which you speak . . . I think I know what you’re talking about, but I’m not sure. :-/
I hope you heal up quickly. Baby + non-functioning arm = tough days, I’m sure.
Candice´s last blog ..10 Things That Make Me Happy
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You poor thing…you’ve just been poked and prodded to bits! And still you manage to pull off that gorgeous smile of yours in the photo!
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Ouch and double ouch! Hope you get some relief soon.
TooManyHats´s last blog ..Monday Menu Mania
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The problem with the IV happened to me too w/ my daughter – they just couldn’t get the damned thing in and it was freakin’ painful! I hope yours feels better soon!
existentialwaitress´s last blog ..In Philly even the geese have attitude and why my son has an irrational fear of gerbil-sized dogs and animals in general.
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They did NOT try to put that IV in the back of your hand!!! I hate that. What’s so wrong with the inside of the elbow?? It is the home of nice juicy nightcrawler veins! But I bet your nips are hurting. That’s where I thought you were going.
You look so cheerful in all your pics!!! Rub off on me!
Amy´s last blog ..No More Phony Excuses
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magda Reply:
January 26th, 2010 at 11:41 pm
I am soooo sorry and familiar. Two rookie nurses had their go at me rupturing 2 veins. Blood everywhere and a swelling the size of a ping pong ball. The back of the hand IV made it difficult to do everything for me, especially nursing on the side of the IV. I think it would have sent me further around the bend if they would have topped it off with a round of Tetanus. I also have a terrible reaction to that. I think most do. The fact that you are blogging away is mind boggling. You are glowing in spite of your suggestions that you feel un-glowy.
xox
magda´s last blog ..Fear Factor
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Looks painful. Hope it will be better soon. Do you know anything about homoepathics? Sometimes they help with pain when nothing else does. Good luck, and hope you feel better soon.
Lynn´s last blog ..Joy in the Green Glow of the TV Light
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You poor mommy!! I guess if they ask me about a Tetanus shot I’ll pass (aka lie) until after I go to see my dr…..why did they tell you they wanted to give it to you then?? Obviously someone wasn’t thinking.
MommyB´s last blog ..MommyB and Me Paci Tips
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Geez, I hope you feel better soon.
Lucy´s last blog ..Kitty Kelly’s Possible Attack on Oprah
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YES, your children look a lot alike (going back a few posts), but then again, I think there are a lot of similarities between ALL babies… as in, they’re ALL beautiful little miracles.
And your arm/hand… well, dare I say it, you look more like a recovering drug addict in those pictures than a woman who just went through childbirth!
~Elizabeth
Confessions From A Working Mom
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