Update: Zofran Day 1

I've been on Zofran now for 28 hours. In that time, I've vomited twice, and it was just about half an hour ago, so I went 27 hours barf-free. And even the fact that it was only twice instead of over and over and over again was a huge difference.  Before that, I hadn't kept a single bite of solid food down since Friday, so this feels marvelous. It's amazing what milestones you'll celebrate.  I had not gone more than several hours without vomiting in weeks. My muscles are starting to relax a bit. I've sat in a chair and rested all day. I sort of don't know what to do with myself since I haven't had to run to the bathroom every ten seconds!

I'm still very very queasy so I still don't do or eat a lot, but at least I'm not constantly heaving, and losing everything I eat, so I'm very grateful. At least for now, this seems to be working. I was prescribed 4 milligrams of generic, to take every 6 hours. But I also know that my doctor is very conservative. My friend who is a nurse said at her hospital, they administer as much as 8mgs every 4 hours. So I take 1 pill every 4 hours as a compromise, which is usually about the time I feel the effects of the first one wearing off. It's so much different than the other two. The Reglan worked but wore off quickly, and its lifespan of effectiveness was growing increasingly short. Phenergan was awful and just gave me GI issues, while doing nothing for the NVP.  I've only been on the Zofran a day so I can't pledge my allegiance yet, but I do already notice a huge difference in the way I feel.

I guess my only piece of advice is to be a assertive with your doctor with what you need. I feel like I wasted a lot of time trying stuff that wasn't working because I didn't want to keep "pestering" my doctor. I downplayed how sick I was, and he responded accordingly. When I did ask for Zofran specifically, he gave me some information about my insurance company that turned out to be inaccurate and I didn't know until I called, a week later--my current insurance does cover it, and as much as he prescribes so I could have started with it.  I still don't like having to take anything, but I couldn't go on the way I was.

On that note I do have a specific prayer request. Our insurance changes on August 15th.  Diana has the same provider that we do, and she said that they only cover 12 pills a month. She was able to get a special exception when her doctor filled out a form from the insurance company. The problem with this is that my doctor is getting married on August 14th, and then going on his honeymoon (woohoo for him!) So when I become a patient, he won't even be in town.  The script I have currently will only last 1 week, and he only gave me one refill. It's possible that my new insurance will cover it without problems, but I don't want to get stuck while he's gone. So at our regular appointment on Monday, I'm going to ask him to write me a 90 day prescription that I can get filled under our current insurance, so then I don't have to worry about it. I'd love your prayers that he would help me with this.

On another note, DH and I are going on vacation! We try to get away at least once a year, and we've been saving our Christmas money, anniversary money, and leftover budget money to get away. We're either going to Arizona North Country to see Sedona and the Grand Canyon, or we're going to San Diego, depending on how well my tummy is doing then. We prefer San Diego because we love the beach, but we'll just have to wait and see what baby chooses :) We've got some tough stuff happening in our marriage right now. I don't want to be more specific than that, but I'd appreciate your prayers for us. I'm praying that the time away and alone will be really restorative.  A couple from church has come along side us to help us, which has been a Godsend. But I think the time just the two of us will be good, too.

For those of  you who like Jamba Juice, I googled this weekend to see if I couldn't find a recipe that would be close to theirs, to hopefully save on some money.

I usually get the Peach Pleasure, which, on their menu is: "A refreshing mix of peach juice, peaches, bananas and orange sherbet."

I found this recipe:

8 oz. cold Peach juice (not nectar)
1 c. frozen peach slices
4 scoops Orange sherbet
1 small banana (ripe)
ice (optional)

makes 2 large glasses

I threw it all in my trusty Vitamix and it came out pretty darn close to the original. I think I actually liked it a little better. We couldn't find straight peach juice, but in the refrigerator section, Dole has a juice that is Orange Peach Mango so I used that.  It's very yummy!  And this way, we were able to use a low fat sherbet, and this juice has no added sugar.

So, some of you may recall that last year on vacation, I traveled with my mini crock pot. If we go to San Diego, our Vitamix is going this year too, along with our Griddler (thanks, Woot.com!) so I can make my safest foods: smoothies, toast, oatmeal, and pancakes (notice a carbtastic pattern here?). We found this darling little hotel that has a little kitchenette in the room, so we're just going to go play house. But seriously, who else travels with an arsenal of kitchen gadgets? Wonder what I'll add to the list next year!

Anyway, it's time for a nap! Thanks for your prayers for some relief. I've definitely received some!