Dec. 13

Oh, its been a rough few days. I think I posted last week that I have the PUPPs pregnancy rash. It started out very small, just in a few of my stretch marks on my belly. It progressively got worse last week. Friday night I didn't sleep at all. Of course, that was only partly due to the rash. I also had reflux and my back and hip were killing me. It was an awful night. Luckily, I had nothing going on Saturday so I did a few chores around the house and basically laid around most of the day. We were supposed to go to Raleigh for my company's Christmas party, but I just didn't feel up to it. I started takin Benadryl for the itching that day but it didn't really help.

I actually slept pretty decently Saturday night, though I got up 5 times to pee! I felt much better Sunday. Unfortunately, the itching kept getting worse. Of course, it gets worse when I get hot, and everyone's got their heaters blasting right now since its so cold outside. Anyway, we went to bed around 10 and I read my book for a little while as usual. I was soooo sleepy so I figured I'd go right to sleep. No such luck. I itched so bad, even after taking 2 Benadryl before bed. And I wasn't just itching on the rash on my belly, either. It was everywhere. I kept getting up to pee and put more Gold Bond anti-itch lotion on. Finally, I just moved to the couch. I was hot in the bed and I was worried I'd wake Paul up with my tossing and turning and getting in and out of bed.

I dozed a little on the couch, but only for a few minutes at a time. At 2am I took more Benadryl, and again at 4am. I finally fell asleep sometime between 4 and 5, but I heard Paul when he got up at 6 and then he woke me up at 7. I usually go out to help him feed the horses, but he had to do it himself this morning. I felt awful. When he left for work, I got in the bed and slept until a little after 8. I told my boss I wasn't going in to work. I had a doctor's appointment today anyway, and I tried to have it moved up to earlier in the day, but they didn't have anything available. I had several breakdowns throughout the day. The smallest things made me cry! Hysterically. I tried to take a nap but couldn't. So I did some school work, actually got a lot done. My final exam is tomorrow night (ugh).

Paul couldn't go with me to the doctor, so I went alone. I waited for almost an hour, and it was awful. He said my rash was a severe case. He checked my cervix to see if any progress has been made yet. He said if there had been he was going to induce me, because then the rash would go away. But unfortunately there were no changes, so he prescribed steroids and another really strong antihistimine. He said I should get relief in a few days. A few days!! I don't konw if I can handle a few more days of this. Especially with my exam coming up. I am so miserable.

I've had such a great pregnancy until now. I try really hard not to complain, but I am just so miserable. I get upset so easily, everything make sme cry and I hate that. And poor Paul, he's having to do so much more than he used to, plus put up with my whining and my bad moods. And now I'm thinking that Claire is just gonna stay put until after Christmas, which will really suck. Actually, if this rash would go away or at least lesson so I could sleep and function it won't be so bad.

My friend had her baby Friday. I went to the hospital and stayed 2 hours, but never saw the baby. I didn't feel like going anywhere Saturday, and ran out of time yesterday. Now I'm too miserable to visit with anyone. Maybe one day I'll see her baby..