So last Monday I went to the OBGYN for my yearly girl bits exam (fun stuff, I know). I had a few concerns over the last few months that I decided to run by my Doctor. His name is Dr. Lash, awesome guy! Since being married I have gained a few 20 pounds, not wanted to be "close" with Todd and am just really ornery all the time. I tried to pawn this off on the new generic birth control I was taking, which I assumed was different than what I had been on previously and he wouldn't buy it. He just suggested that it's the newlywed syndrome.
A) that I need some space because I'm not used to being around Todd all the time - this one Is probably true.
B) I'm a really good cook and am not being as calorie conscious as I could be- sure I am a good cook, but we don't eat all butter and French fries (think of Mrs. Butterton from the commercials)
C) I am not as active as I used to be before we got married- yeah I sort of fell off the work out wagon, especially with the winter and my weird work schedules
D) I could have a thyroid problem. – sure it runs in my family, but I never have thought of it for myself.
After going the rest of the visit with a tear in my eye.. secretly wishing he would have blamed the generic birth control with me (which he wouldn't because it is exactly the same as the one I had before, except the last 7 days which I hadn't taken yet) on the weight gain, moodiness and no libido; Or tell me that I was 4 months pregnant, though I am not ready for a baby, having a reason for the extra poundage would be sufficient. NO I AM NOT PREGNANT, JUST FAT. He recommended that I head down to the Lab to take a quick blood test so we can rule out the Thyroid. He said it was a small chance that this would be the issue with all the change/newness that happened in my life the last 6 months. And in a roundabout way said I probably would have to dust off my running shoes.
So I headed down to the Lab. If you know me very well at all, you know that I can't do blood. It's not the needles, it’s the actual blood. I can't stand gory stories, or real life experience stories because I imagine that the story is actually happening to me and I can literally FEEL the pain. I sit on down, wearing a long sleeved t-shirt which I had to cinch it up around my bicep, which of course pissed me off because it stretched out my cuff! And then prepare for the blood. The phlebotomist was laughing at me and I tried to tell her that I had to grip something tight and close my eyes. She prepares for the needle and gets it in. And then says, " You are dehydrated, nothing is coming out." I told her quickly that I was not planning on bleeding to death for her that day and only drank enough water that morning for my 10:30 am urine sample. So she starts examining my other arm, vein not as visible as the other one and with the dehydration she wasn't even going to try. (again stretching out the other cuff of my sleeve) So she asked me if she could draw out of my hand. I was about ready to say "peace out woman, if it won’t come out, it’s a stinking sign! I didn't sign up for torture today!" .. Thinking of the fun hospital visit I had in Wyoming a few years back. She said my hands were too cold and to run my hands under hot water and she would be right back (had to help another nurse.) Because I am not the rebel rouser that I claim to be I did what I was told. I hot watered my hands, thinking that maybe the hot water seeps in your hands to help you become less dehydrated? no no no that’s dumb Brittney, it brings the veins to the surface. So I strap in for vein #2. She actually got it.. I almost passed out from not breathing but she got it. I gave the damn blood that I didn't want to give, and it hurt really bad! She said to leave on the tape for 10 minutes so it didn't bruise my hand. So I drove from downtown SLC to Draper thinking of that mornings events. And how I probably needed a glass or a liter of water. On the way there I called my sister BreAnn, also a phlebotomist, and asked her how long really I had to wear the tape thing she said 10 minutes too.. but by that time it had been an hour and a half and then I figured I'd wear my badge of honor for 4 more hours! I'm a dork, but I sure didn't bruise!
After all that drama was over, this last week I pretty much put the whole thing out of my mind. But Today I just got my blood test results. I DO have a low thyroid. So the torture test was worth it. On my results, my doctor listed that he wants me to go get another blood test in a month. Gag! But at least I know why I'm having issues and that I knew that somewhere there had to be a scapegoat.. not just my love for couch potatoing! So wish me luck! hopefully I can drop my extra lbs and be back to feeling normal. God knows Todd is wishing the same thing. He has been an awesome support and husband. And I know that not all guys would put up with the garbage that I throw at him on a weekly.. okay.. daily basis!
