Letters to Zane

Treatment Success?

2009-03-15T08:38:00.000-07:00

This Blog entry is beginning with some treatment success findings. I will add more as I find them!

Abstract (Summary)
"The usage and effectiveness of > 20 treatment options were reported by 765 women for 1193 pregnancies. The women who used intravenous (IV) hydration, serotonin inhibitors, and parenteral nutrition (PN) reported the highest rates of effectiveness, with 84%, 83%, and 79% reporting that these respective treatments may have contributed to decreased nausea/vomiting. The use of conventional treatments increased from 20 to 30% to > 60% between 1985 and 1989 and 2000 and 2004; serotonin inhibitor use increased to 55% after its introduction in the1990s," wrote T.M. Goodwin and colleagues, University of California.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum; Study findings from University of California provide new insights into hyperemesis gravidarum. (2008, May). OBGYN & Reproduction Week,87.
Retrieved March 15, 2009, from ProQuest Health and Medical Complete database. (Document ID: 1471370301).

TPN Study Results (Greece)/ PICC Study Results (U.S.)

2009-03-15T07:49:00.000-07:00

I found a short blurb about the use of TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition) for HG:
http://www.newsrx.com/library/topics/Hyperemesis-Gravidarum.html

"Traditionally, total parenteral nutrition has been used when patients with
hyperemesis gravidarum fail to respond to conservative measures, including
dietary manipulation and antiemetics. Total parenteral nutrition has been shown
to be an effective method of nutritional support during pregnancy but it
is expensive and has potentially serious complications. Peripheral parenteral nutrition reduces the risk of complications, but caloric intake is limited. A small number of investigators have suggested using enteral nutrition as an alternative to total parenteral nutrition," wrote D.K. Christodoulou and colleagues, University of Ioannina.

I did have TPN for about a week before I developed blood clots in the area of the PICC Line used for the TPN. It is very specific nutrition, vitamins are added to each new bag. It was very expensive at a price tag of $1500 per bag (That did not include other costs : home delivery and home nurse, and all the other drugs that are required to keep the line clean: heparin and saline syringes etc.) After I developed blood clots the PICC Line had to be removed which was a complication in itself because now I was back to square one AND I had life threatening blood clots! Which is where this little blurb from another study comes in:

"More than one half of patients who received a PICC experienced a serious
or potentially life-threatening complication directly related to the treatment. Because there were no differences in neonatal outcomes, the authors conclude that PICCs should be avoided in the treatment of hyperemesis gravidarum..."

Amy Crawford-Faucher. (2008). Effectiveness of Treatment Options for Hyperemesis Gravidarum. American Family Physician, 78(9), 1089-1090. Retrieved March 15, 2009, from
Research Library Core database. (Document ID: 1584143891).

The study showed that the complications associated with PICC Line use to be: Thrombosis (blood clots), Pulmonary Embolus (blood clot in lungs or a clot that traveled to the lungs), Localized Cellulitis (inflammation of subcutaneous tissue), and Sepsis (pathogens or toxins in the bloodstream or tissues).

What to do after vomiting:

2008-09-24T11:25:00.000-07:00

From a hospital handout...

Coping with Vomiting

REST. Get some fresh air, take a walk.
Avoid places with strong odors
Sip on tart juices: lemonade or cranberry juice diluted with water
Drink fluids other than water. Drinking plain water may cause more vomiting.
Eat candies or fruit with tart flavors: hard candies, mints, lemon drops. These help cut saliva and cover unpleasant tastes in your mouth.
Salty flavors help settle the stomach.
Try small amounts of sweet or cold foods: popsicles, jello, jelly beans, pudding, fruit, custard, yogurt, or ice cream.
Do not take any over the counter medications to stop vomiting unless prescribed by your doctor!
Stop prenatal or iron pills for a few days if they cause stomach upset or vomiting.

Foods to Replace Lost Nutrients:

2008-09-23T11:18:00.000-07:00

I recently found a paper given to me by a nutritionist while I was hospitalized with HG, here are some foods you can eat to replace nutrients lost to severe vomiting...

Fluids: (Take 2 to 3 ounces)

Juices
Teas
Lemonade
Popsicles
Sports Drinks
Noodle Soups

Salt:

Pretzels
Noodle Soups
Pickles
Crackers
Chicken Broth
Tortilla Chips
Potato Chips

Potassium:

Avocado
Potato
Sweet potato
Winter squash
Kiwi
Watermelon
Banana
Potato chips
Vegetable juice
Apricots
Honeydew melon
Cantaloupe

Magnesium:

Broccoli
Almonds
Soy milk
Wheat germ
Peanut butter
Sunflower seeds
Whole wheat bread
Bran muffin
Spinach

Chinese Medicine???? Hmmmm....

2008-06-08T23:44:00.000-07:00

Having graduated last year with my Master Herbalist Certification I am very curious about this study:

http://www.nvp-volumes.org/p1_21.htm

Effect of Chinese herbal medicine suppositories for hyperemesis gravidarum by using an index for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.

"Chinese herbal medicines, which are considered effective and safe for
morning sickness and hyperemesis gravidarum in East Asia, present some
disadvantages when ingested orally, e.g., induction of nausea because of their
characteristic odour. Because of the above reason, we formulated and used
suppositories of Chinese herbal medicine extracts. The chief symptoms of
hyperemesis gravidarum are subjective, making it difficult to compare the
symptoms and evaluate efficacy of treatment. In the present clinical trial,
therefore, we categorised symptoms by severity and evaluated therapeutic
efficacy according to a questionnaire-based survey using the Index for Nausea
and Vomiting of Pregnancy.
It is difficult to evaluate hyperemesis gravidarum objectively, because of the fact that it mainly consists of subjective symptoms. Furthermore, the number of classes of the complaints considered to be symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum is as numerous as 20. Based on the above background, the Emesis Index (EI) has been created, modified and used. The EI originally created chiefly consisted of three symptoms of high incidence and intense severity, i.e., nausea, vomiting, and appetite. The INVP, modified to include the symptoms of salivation and dryness of mouth and acetone in the urine, was used in the present clinical trial. The INVP is thought to be more useful than the EI for evaluating hyperemesis gravidarum.

Fluid therapy was combined in treating many cases. Suppositories alone were used in the majority of outpatients and in the inpatients who detested the odour of the fluid. These patients showed no particular problems, and the improving process of symptoms did not differ from the patients in whom fluid therapy was combined. In the patients in whom fluid therapy was used alone and in combination with suppositories, symptoms improved earlier at the time of combined therapy than at the time of fluid therapy alone.

Herbal remedies are recommended commonly for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Chinese herbal medicine suppositories appear to be a reasonable therapeutic alternative for hyperemesis gravidarum. A randomised trial is needed to confirm the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine suppositories for hyperemesis gravidarum."

More info on the current study at USC

2008-06-08T22:42:00.000-07:00

Come on ladies... I did it! I know you have some spit to share...

Something New...

2008-05-27T15:04:00.000-07:00

As promissed, if I found some new research I would post it! This research has some interesting findings...

Extreme nausea and vomiting varies among pregnant women from different countries
April 28, 2008 - Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Mothers born in India and Sri Lanka are three times more likely to suffer from extreme nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (hyperemesis gravidarum) than ethnic Norwegians.
This finding comes from Norwegian Institute of Public Health's study of 900, 000 first-time pregnancies registered in the Medical Birth Registry of Norway over a forty year period. Earlier studies reported that 90 percent of pregnant women experience some degree of nausea and vomiting, whereas 0.5 to 2 percent have hyperemesis gravidarum.
Due to dehydration, loss of important electrolytes, malnutrition and weight loss,
hyperemesis gravidarum could be life-threatening for mother and baby if left
untreated.
In the USA it is the commonest cause for hospitalisation during early pregnancy. The cause of hyperemesis gravidarum is unknown.
Vikanes, specialist in gynaecology and obstetrics at the institute's Division of Epidemiology, wanted to explore whether the mothers' country of birth affected the prevalence of hyperemesis gravidarum.
Vikanes is primary author of the paper
Large study on hyperemesis gravidarum, Vikanes and her colleagues collected data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway, which since 1967 has recorded data on all pregnancies and pregnancy complications.
8,300 cases of hyperemesis gravidarum were recorded out of 900,000 pregnancies, giving an overall prevalence of 0.89 percent. Data on the mother's country of birth and education were recorded by Statistics Norway and linked to pregnancyinformation through the mother's unique personal identification number.
Socio-demographic factors such as marital status, country of birth, education, age and number of foetuses in each pregnancy were also studied.
"This is one of the largest studies carried out on hyperemesis gravidarum. In contrast to earlier studies we tested the quality of the data and therefore have confidence in our findings" says Vikanes.
Mothers born in India and Sri Lanka had the highest prevalence of hyperemesis gravidarum, followed by those born in Africa (excluding North Africa) and Pakistan by 3.2 percent, 3.1 percent and 2.1 percent, respectively.
Ethnic Norwegians, North Americans and Western Europeans had the lowest prevalence by 0.9 percent, 0.9 percent and 0.8 percent, respectively.
Maternal age between 20-24 years old, being married, carrying a female foetus or more than one foetus were all socio-demographic characteristics associated with a higher prevalence of hyperemesis gravidarum.
Need to study further "The difference in prevalence of hyperemesis gravidarum related to the mother's country of birth cannot be explained by differences in socio-demographic characteristics", says Vikanes. "We have to look for other explanations such as genetic factors, a change of diet or a history of infections. This topic needs further research to identify ways to prevent this life-threatening and distressing condition."
Reference: Vikanes A, Grjibovski AM, Vangen S and Magnus P. (2008) Variations in prevalence of hyperemesis gravidarum by country of birth: A study of 900, 074 pregnancies in Norway 1967-2005. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health 36: 135-142.

One Year Ago...

2008-04-17T19:10:00.000-07:00

It's so hard to believe that one year ago today, April 17, I had a baby... it still trips me out when I think about it or look at his smiling face LOL

I look at him and I think about what I went through with HG. I was so miserable for so long with so many complications that it just makes me appreciate him more, so much more in fact that I am no longer going to spend time blogging here.

I want to cherish every moment I can and I want to spend as much time with him watching him grow and laugh and play and well, you know... he's growing up so fast.

If I find any new research or news I will certainly post it here, but I think I just want to be a Mommy.

I hope that the information I have posted in my other posts will help you or someone you know. I hope you will find hope in this blog. That it will help you keep the faith, know that HG is a very serious disease but that with proper treatment you can endure.

Always,
Raynie & Zane

Wow, Time sure flies...

2008-03-22T17:41:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that my son,

the inspiration for my book and blog,

is going to be 1 year old already!

We are planning a great Luau for his special day...

My family is Hawaiian and it is custom to celebrate baby's first birthday with a luau, which is a traditional Hawaiian feast.

"The luau is the perfect expression of Hawaiian hospitality and signifies a celebration of what the Hawaiian spirit and lifestyle are all about. Historically, the luau was a celebration to the Hawaiian gods giving thanks for having survived long and often arduous ocean voyages."

If you've ever been to the islands, you probably have tried some local grinds... and that's what we have planned for our menu! Lots of food, lots of family and friends, music, and all the things a birthday party brings!

Children grow up so fast, I am cherishing every moment... and I can't wait to celebrate such a wonderful milestone... Zane's First Birthday!

Counting My Blessings...

2008-03-11T20:17:00.000-07:00

One of my childhood friends lost his mother last week, she was 75. We grew up together... a group of us kids always hung out and I remember when the sun set everyone's parents had their own whistle to call us home LOL He lived up the street and I lived at the bottom.

Anyhoo, when we hugged, I cried... not because I was sad, but because I knew exactly how it feels to lose a parent. I was thinking how bad it hurt... the thought that you will never hear their voice, feel thier touch, never see them again... and it hurts, and I hurt for my friend.

The memorial service was at St. Francis of Assissi in our hometown. It was a beautiful service. I did not follow the procession to her final resting place as my personal feelings are that is a very private thing.

I prayed for my friend and his family and his Mom. I spent the rest of the day counting my blessings. I think my friend is lucky... he had his Mom in his life for 36 years. That's 12 years more than I got to have my Dad... I wish I had been that lucky.

You never know what life will bring. So today I said my prayers and was thankful for the gifts in my life... My family, My friends... and the Love of my Child who is the greatest gift!

Trying to understand God's purpose...

2008-02-07T02:55:00.000-08:00

Hi all...
I haven't blogged or done any podcasts in a while, and well honestly... it is because

I AM IN A FUNK.

You may have had a similar experience, or are yourself in a funk as we speak.
Let me tell you why.

In the not so far off past I worked my way to a certain position in a certain industry and admittingly it was hard work, but in a fun industry. I was a pit boss at a Casino. I had worked my way up with Harrah's, furthered my education on my own dime, and had been working for the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino (formerly the Reno Hilton) before I was diagnosed with HG.
It was a good career and when I learned I was pregnant I was relieved that I had this great career that I could provide a good life for my child. It is the same for every single Mom out there... you want to provide a good life for your child, and have a great career... the best of both worlds.

When I was diagnosed with HG, my world was turned upside down! The disease forced my resignation from a job I loved. I had no medical insurance, no income, and a baby on the way. I also had bills to pay... 3 credit cards and a gas card which I only accepted because I wanted their free gas! (LOL) My credit was decent.

Fast forward to mid pregnancy, hospitalized for the 3rd time, my dear friend, Scott, back in Reno tells me the bills are stacking up (which when you are fighting for your unborn child's life and your own... is the least of your worries!) He told me when I feel up to it to try to write a letter explaining the situation and maybe they can work with me, he'd make copies and send them all out and see what happens.

I did and in hind sight I am thinking maybe I should have paid the extra whatever for the insurance all credit cards offer... the (to quote Chris Rock) "In case shit" insurance (LOL). I have never been hospitalized in my life, never had anything worse than the common cold or flu... so why on earth would I subscribe to an insurance that I will never use, that is just a scam to get more money out of most people?

BECAUSE!!! In case shit happens like me getting some RARE pregnancy disease!!! Whoda thunk???

Whatever! I was so over it as they charged me off as a "Bad Debt"... Yes, I am now in financial ruin. BUT! The story doesn't end there.

I knew when I got better and was able to at some point return to work, I would like a phoenix rise from the ashes and rebuild my life. I could go back to my career and clean up my finances and everything would be wonderful!

WRONG

Fast forward to the past few weeks...
I applied for and was offered a great position with one of the biggest casinos in So Cal! I was sooo happy! However, a few days later... bad news... they cannot approve my gaming license (nor will any casino in So Cal)!!! Why???? Charge offs and unpaid Medical bills. They said if I paid it off I was welcome to re-apply... ok, great... how do I do that without a job? and... the position I applied for is now going to "the second best candidate" because obviously I was the best candidate or they would not have made the offer!!!

So with that feeling of elation, my bubble was burst and I am now in a FUNK...trying to figure out God's purpose! As you can see it is disturbing my sleep, keeping me up at night... my son is finally sleeping through the night, and I am up at 3:28 am worrying about...
what the @%&! (expletive) I am going to do now!

I am angry. I was robbed. I was robbed of my health, robbed of the enjoyment of pregnancy, robbed of a family, robbed of future children, and now my career.

Ahhhh...the eternal optimist in me speaks...
There must be a REASON. I dont know what it is yet, but there must be.
I know with every fiber of my being that my child is the greatest gift in my life. He is the reason I smile every day. He was meant to be and my intuition tells me that the universe conspired to make sure he came to be...and here he is.

Maybe I was on the wrong path and this is how my path is changed, so I find the right one.
I remember a quote : "God's delays are not God's denials"
I tend to be quite impatient so... perhaps it is time to learn PATIENCE... it is a virtue after all (LOL)

My son is growing up so fast and he gets frustrated sometimes when he is doing stuff...and I always tell him "patience my son, patience is a virtue", I guess it is true... when you teach you also learn!

If you are going through something similar... here is what gets me through...
think back to your darkest hour... Mine was sitting in the emergency room all alone (they wouldnt let my Mom back with me at the time) and after suffering from HG for months... having the doctor tell me at that moment my life could be in danger from a pulmonary embolism, that I could die, and I needed to choose right then and there... my life or my child's? No parent should ever have to face that. I took a chance, must have been the "gambler" in me... but sometimes faith is strong medicine. That was my darkest hour, and here WE are... my son and I.

I guess what I am trying to say is... "Keep the faith" (haha...a Padres plug!) Something i am trying hard to do right now.

Thanks for letting me vent, I'll get over this funk and back to my task soon!

Spreading the word and maybe some HOPE...

2008-01-10T08:07:00.000-08:00

http://www.newsreview.com/reno/Content?oid=612690

I was contacted by the Arts Editor from the Reno News and Review about my book, Letters to Zane. He was interested in my story and I am happy to say...

This week's issue: January 10, 2008 is going to help me in my efforts of spreading awareness for this terrible pregnancy disease!

I hope one day there will be better treatment to ease the suffering of so many women, and maybe even give us some concrete answers to so many questions we have especially... Why did this happen to me?

I would like to thank:
Peter Thompson, Arts Editor, Reno News and Review
Cherie Louise Turner, Writer
Todd Upton, Photographer
and
The Reno News and Review

Thank you for making this story available to your readers and helping me spread the word on HG!

Hypnosis? I said I was sick... not CRAZY!

2008-01-07T08:14:00.000-08:00

Hypnosis in the Treatment of Hyperemesis Gravidarum
http://www.aafp.org/afp/990700ap/letters.html

TO THE EDITOR:
Patients with hyperemesis gravidarum are commonly seen by family physicians. Up to 90 percent of pregnant women have symptoms of "morning sickness," and some develop full-blown hyperemesis gravidarum.1 This condition often leads to serious risks for the mother and her fetus, as well as lengthy and costly hospitalizations. Medical hypnosis may be a powerful adjunct to the typical medical treatment regimen, and empiric studies of the efficacy of this treatment approach for hyperemesis gravidarum are well documented.2-3

In a study of 138 hyperemesis gravidarum patients who were completely recalcitrant to conservative medical treatment (consisting of antiemetic drug therapy, isolation by hospitalization and intravenous rehydration), 88 percent stopped vomiting completely after one to three sessions of medical hypnosis.4 Therefore, it may not come as a surprise that medical hypnosis has also been shown to be an effective treatment for hyperemesis secondary to chemotherapy5,6 and hyperemesis secondary to "motion-sickness." In my clinical experience with hypnosis in the treatment of 30 to 40 patients with hyperemesis gravidarum, symptoms fully remitted within three or four treatment sessions in the overwhelming majority of patients.

Hypnosis may effectively treat hyperemesis gravidarum in at least two ways. One component of the treatment mechanism is that, in a hypnotic state, patients may be induced into a deep state of physiologic relaxation. This decreases sympathetic nervous system arousal, and symptoms associated with hyper-sympathetic arousal tend to remit. Further, it is well established that patients often respond to hypnotic suggestions that are independent of sympathetic or parasympathetic arousal and, interestingly, responsiveness is often independent of the patients' conscious awareness or memory of the suggestion. Patients may be given both indirect and direct suggestions to relax their stomach and throat muscles, causing their nausea, gagging and vomiting to subside. By suggesting that muscle tension in the stomach and throat and/or nausea become a hypnotic cue either to engage in particularly pleasant imagery or to hold cognitions that mentally reframe the experience, the nausea can immediately subside.

Before embarking on hypnotherapy to treat hyperemesis, patients should have a thorough medical evaluation to rule out other diagnoses. The differential diagnosis for hyperemesis gravidarum includes the following: gastroenteritis, cholecystitis, pancreatitis, hepatitis, peptic ulcer disease, pyelonephritis, fatty liver of pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, appendicitis and hyperthyroidism. Patients may also benefit from a psychiatric evaluation if psychiatric co-morbidity is suspected, in which case a referral to a mental health practitioner may be warranted. Finally, while in 1958 the American Medical Association declared hypnosis to be a legitimate form of medical treatment, it should be emphasized that only an appropriately trained practitioner of medical hypnosis should apply this treatment.

ERIC P. SIMON, PH.D.

Department of Psychology

Behavioral Medicine & Health Psychology Service

Tripler Regional Medical Center

Honolulu, Hawaii 96859

REFERENCES
Broussard CN, Richter JE. Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Gastroenterol Clin North Am 1998; 27:123-51.

Torem MS. Hypnotherapeutic techniques in the treatment of hyperemesis gravidarum. Am J Clin Hypn 1994;37:1-11.

Fuchs K. Treatment of hyperemesis gravidarum by hypnosis. Aust J Clin Hypnother Hypn 1989;10:31-42.

Fuchs K, Paldi E, Abramovici H, Peretz BA. Treatment of hyperemesis gravidarum by hypnosis. Int J Clin Exp Hypn 1980;28:313-23.

Redd WH, Andresen GV, Minagawa RY. Hypnotic control of anticipatory emesis in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy. J Consult Clin Psychol 1982;50:14-9.

Redd WH, Rosenberger PH, Hendler CS. Controlling chemotherapy side effects. Am J Clin Hypn 1982;25:161-72.

The views expressed in this letter are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense or the U.S. Government.

The views expressed in this letter are almost as bad as "crackering". We dont need a Psychiatric Evaluation or visualizing pretty scenes in our minds... we need someone with all your edumacation and medical "expertise" to figure out HG and stop our suffering!

Maybe hypnosis would work for some, but I think this article makes it sound like it is all "in our minds" which no matter how many happy scenes I tried to think of my mind could not stop the physiologic junk that forced me to throw up everything including my own spit.

Subcutaneous Metoclopramide Therapy for HG?

2008-01-05T15:00:00.000-08:00

http://www.nvp-volumes.org/p1_12.htm

"It looks like SMT is a safe alternative therapy for this condition, justifying prospective studies for an indication for nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy," Dr. Barton said. "This agent could represent a new step forward in making pregnancy more comfortable and doing so outside the hospital setting."

For their study, the investigators prospectively collected and analyzed data from January 2000 through February 2002 on 426 women who had singleton or twin gestations and had reported 5 or more days of SMT.

What is metoclopramide?

Metoclopramide increases the rate at which the stomach and intestines
move during digestion. It also increases the rate at which the stomach empties
into the intestines and increases the strength of the lower esophageal sphincter
(the muscle between the stomach and esophagus).
Metoclopramide is used to
treat diabetic gastric stasis (slow
movement of the stomach), which causes symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, heartburn, decreased
appetite, and prolonged fullness after eating. It is also used to treat gastric
reflux or heartburn (the regurgitation of stomach acid into the esophagus),
prevention of postoperative nausea and
vomiting, prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy,
facilitation of small bowel intubation, and to facilitate x-ray examination of
the stomach and intestines. (http://www.healthline.com)

"Fifty to 80% of pregnant women will have nausea and vomiting during a pregnancy," said lead researcher John Barton, MD, researcher and clinician at Central Baptist Hospital, division of maternal-fetal medicine, in Lexington, Kentucky. "And if it feels bad enough, or is perceived to be dangerous, it can lead to emergency room visits and sometimes hospitalisation. We wanted to see if these symptoms could be controlled using another antiemetic agent not yet indicated for SMT and if such control could impact the dislocation and costs of hospital visits."

Conclusion:
Hyperemesis gravidarum is a complication that occurs in a small percentage of pregnancies but accounts for approximately 78,000 patients annually. Historically, this condition has had high costs in loss of productivity, physical and emotional sequellae, and prolonged and/or recurrent hospital admissions. The use of home subcutaneous metoclopramide therapy appears to be effective, safe, economical, and a way to treat these woeful patients in a familiar, secure, and emotionally supportive environment, which may hasten recovery.

Outcome in these patients was very encouraging. In Group I, 195 (54.7%)
patients had resolution of their hyperemesis gravidarum. This improved to 640
(75.0%) patients in Group II. These are very positive numbers for a single form
of therapy. Historically, this success rate has been achieved with hyperemesis
gravidarum patients largely through the use of multiple therapies/agents in
sequence or in combination, normally requiring prolonged or recurrent
hospitalization. Worsening of the symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum in spite of
therapy is common; however, it occurred in only 43 (14.3%) patients in Group I
and 59 (6.9%) patients in Group II. This is positive data to recommend home
subcutaneous metoclopramide therapy. The percentage of patients who discontinued therapy due to side effects remained low and fairly constant at 10.6% and 12.7%
in Groups I and II respectively

Interesting...

2008-01-05T14:29:00.000-08:00

Hi All...
I wanted to share a couple new links I found:

http://www.stat.ucla.edu/~frederic/hg/
http://www.stat.ucla.edu/~frederic/hg/results/feb2001.html
http://www.stat.ucla.edu/~frederic/papers/hg.html

Apparently an HG study conducted in 2001/2002, just thought others may find it interesting.

In particular I think we all are VERY interested in the "reoccurance" of HG. I know I personally have been so traumatized by HG. I once wanted 2 or 3 children, but now.... I am too scared to have any more. I am scared that next time I will not make it. My life and my son's life were in danger many times over the course of this "experience", thats what I call it... not my happy baby belly days as it should have been!

So as far as this research could say based on it's limitations was the following:

3. Recurrence
From results of surveys of women with HG, one can find a
variety of statistics that appear at first glance to shed light on the question
of the recurrence rate. For example, about 40 percent of patients with HG are in
their first pregnancy, and about 45 percent of women with HG who have been
pregnant once before were treated in the hospital for HG in their prior
pregnancy.6, 7
A moment's reflection reveals that the above statistics are of
little value to the sufferer of HG who may be wondering what her chances are of
getting HG again in a later pregnancy. The only data that is directly relevant
to the recurrence rate of HG is longitudinal (i.e. data obtained by following up
on patients over many years).
Unfortunately, it appears that only one such
longitudinal study has been done on HG, and the study was very small and is now
potentially out-of-date. The study, done by J. Fitzgerald from 1938 to 1953,
examined just a few dozen women based in Aberdeen, Scotland.7 Nevertheless the
Fitzgerald study is still cited by many authors. It is important to realize
that, while numerous articles state that HG in a prior pregnancy is a risk
factor for HG in a subsequent pregnancy (e.g. 3, 6, 11), by and large the only
evidence upon which this claim is based comes from the Fitzgerald study.
Here
is a summary of Fitzgerald's recurrence data. Fitzgerald followed 159 women who
had HG in their first pregnancy. Fifty-six of these women then had another
pregnancy that was recorded by Fitzgerald, and nineteen women had two subsequent
pregnancies recorded by Fitzgerald.
• 27 of the 56 women had HG in their
second pregnancy.
• 7 of 19 women had HG in their third pregnancy.

I found some of the other results interesting, as well as saddening. If you take a look at the drug effectiveness table it lists not only drug effectiveness, but fetal loss as well. :( It makes me sad to think of going through HG only to lose your child or be forced to abort. There needs to be more research!

The "Hyperemesis Diet"

2007-12-19T12:51:00.000-08:00

If you can keep any of it down... Here is the suggested diet that was given to me by the hospital nutritionist while I was suffering from HG

Hyperemesis Diet

Nause and/or vomiting are common during the first 3 months of pregnancy. This is also known as "morning sickness" even though it can occure any time of the day. If vomiting becomes persisitent and severe, IV fluids & electrolyte replacement is necessary to prevent complications from dehydration.

Tips for relief:

Eat small meals or snacks every 2-3 hours
Avoid hunger, eat before getting out of bed in the morning
Dont skip meals
Select low fat protein foods: Lean meats, broiled or canned fish, poultry without skin, eggs, boiled beans
Select easily digested carbohydrates: Fruit, fruit juices, pasta, rice, potatoes, toast, crackers, dry cereals
Drink fluids between meals rather than with meals
Avoid fried foods or any other foods that cause stomach discomfort such as gassy or spicy foods
Cold foods can sometimes decrease the aroma or smells that can trigger nausea
Drink a small amount of 100% fruit juice (apple, grape, cranberry) every 1-2 hours
Avoid drinking beverages that contain caffeine or alcohol
Have a snack before going to bed
Try certain salty, high fat foods such as: potatoe chips and cheese curls
Also try cold, tart drinks such as : Lemonade

In some cases IV nutrition may be necessary to meet the nutrition needs of the mother and fetus.

I am posting this because maybe it will be helpful to some of you suffering from HG.

When I was really sick... nothing would help me and I eventually did require IV nutrition, but when I was beginning to hold some food down I literally lived on ice cream and baked potatoes for months!!

The cold of the ice cream seemed to calm my tummy and the potaoes were all I could (sometimes) keep down. Although I wouldnt recommend Ice Cream or Milkshakes when you are at your worst because nothing is worse that throwing up curdled milkshake, milk or ice cream... and good luck getting that smell out of your nose!!! which just adds to your nausea!

I also for a while ate salty ruffles potatoe chip which were more "comforting" than anything... just knowing I could keep a little handful down some days made me feel better.

Hang in there ladies... you will eventually feel good enough to eat and enjoy your pregnancies!

I remember the first time I went to a resturant I had been keeping food down for about a week, and my car sickness was subsiding, so I gave it a shot! (But...I took my bucket with me just in case) I had breakfast, an omlet and potatoes... and I can tell you it was the MOST WONDERFUL breakfast ever! LOL

I enjoyed every bite without "incident" LOL

"Hyperemesis of Pregnancy"

2007-12-19T12:20:00.000-08:00

I was going through some of my old hospital papers and found one of my "discharge instructions" papers that they give you when you are released, mine described the following for Hyperemesis Gravidarum (from Tri City Medical Center in Oceanside, CA.):

HYPER-EMESIS OF PREGNANCY
Hyperemesis of pregnancy is a severe form of "morning sickness", where the vomiting is excessive and may cause dehydration and chemical imbalances in the body. it occures in about 1% of pregnancies and is usually worse during the 10th thru 12th week of pregnancy. It usually gets better by the 16th week. It's cause is not well understood. It can be a serious threat to the mother and the fetus if dehydration becomes severe. Therefore, follow the advice below carefully.

HOME CARE:
1) Activity

After awaking from sleep, remain in bed for 15 minutes before getting up.

2) Diet

Eat frequent small meals rather than 3 large meals
A diet high in Carbohydrates and Fiber is best avoid greasy and spicy foods
Drink fluids between meals rather than with them
Keep a log of the foods you eat and how they affect your symptoms, avoid foods that trigger your symptoms
Keep saltine crackers at bedside. If you are nauseated upon waking eat some crakers or dry toast before getting out of bed
If nausea and vomiting continue, rest your stomach by waiting 1-2 hours before trying to drink again.
Stay in bed or severely limit your activities if nausea continues

3) Medicine

In general it is best to avoid strong medicines during pregnancy, especially during the first three months. The effect on the growing baby is not always known and these could cause harm. Your doctor will recommend prescription medicine only when the symptoms you are having (vomiting and dehydration) are more dangerous to the baby than the small risk of using the medicine.
Taking Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine), 10-25mg daily is safe and may be helpful to reduce nausea
Check with the doctor before taking any over the counter medicines during your pregnancy

FOLLOW UP:

With your doctor within the next few days or as instructed by this facility

RETURN PROMPTLY:

Or contact your doctor if any of the following occur:

Unable to keep any clear liquids down over a 6 hour period
Worsening sickness, dizziness, or fainting occurs
No weight gain over a 2 week period
Severe, constant lower right abdominal pain
Fever, chills or frequent diarrhea

These were my discharge instructions from my October 2006 hospital stay, I was released 2 days before Halloween.... and that might all have been helpful if I could have kept anything down ;P

Poster

2007-12-16T12:18:00.001-08:00

I was looking at the funny posters on Despair.com and they have a tool that you can make your own "motivational" posters... so here is mine :)

Elaine Cho's HG Story

2007-12-14T10:36:00.000-08:00

Hello,
My name is Elaine Cho. I live in Bothell, WA and have been married to my best friend for the past five years. We have a great house, goodpaying jobs and two loyal dogs. We were very content with our life,but last year, the in-laws started pressuring us to start a family. I had never really been comfortable around children and wanted to makesure that we got pregnant on OUR terms, and not theirs. But fortuneately for them, after all of my friends started to get pregnant, I began to have baby envy. I decided that the time was right to start trying because we had been married almost five years, and I was approaching my thirties while he was in his mid thirties. Now, all we had to do was get pregnant... easy as that!

We started trying in January of 2007, but after months of not being able to conceive, I began to worry. I have friends who have been trying for years and have undergone fertility treatments with no success. I was afraid of being one of those women who spent her entire life trying not to get pregnant, only to find out that she was sterile after deciding that she wanted children. The irony!!!

So, after six months with no luck, I decided to distract myself by looking for a new job. We decided that the timing was off, and that we could start trying again next year after I found my dream job. I had several interviews with exceptional companies all lined up, and was excited about the prospects of having a new career with a higher salary. I thought, we could finally afford that trip to Europe I hadbeen talking about!!!

No sooner did I start calling my references didI realized that I had missed my period. My periods have always been inconsistant, so I didn't think much about it. But my breasts had never been that big or tender. My husband laughed and said I was probably pregnant, but I knew that there was NO WAY I could be, because we didn't have sex until after my ovulation window. After a few days of telling myself that my period would start "any day now", I finally caved and bought a pregnancy test.

I took the first one and sat in awe as the plus sign started to come over the test strip.There was no way!!! I was grinning from ear to ear, but thought,"this test is wrong". So I pulled out the second test and tried again. Another PLUS sign!!! The first thing that came to mind was,"HOLY CRAP!!! WHO'S GOING TO HIRE ME NOW!!!". But after that passed, I was so excited. I had planned on making a special dinner with baby themed foods, like baby carrots and baby corn with small cornish hens etc., to surprise my husband.

I had purchased a onesie and a bib thatsaid "I love daddy" months before to present to him when we finally did get pregnant. It was a great plan, right? Well, I'm very impatient and easily exciteable, so I didn't get to surprise him the way I had planned. Instead, I got the onesie and bib which were already pre-wrapped and ready to go, and I woke him up from a deep slumber. I made him open the gift while he was still half asleep and took pictures of his reaction. He looked thoroughly confused and shocked. It was great!!! Once he finally got his barings, we celebrated with a little cry and a warm embrace. This was going to be a great time in our life.

So a week had passed and I was feeling wonderful!!! We decided that Iwould continue my pursuit of a new career without informing them of my pregnant state and we also decided to wait the obligitory three months before announcing the news to our friends and family. I was always hungry and my cravings were running rampid, but unlike my mom who claimed to be sick the entire 9 months of pregnancy with both my brother and I, I had no signs of morning sickness. This was GREAT!!! Or so I thought.

The Friday going into my sixth week, I started getting acid refluxafter dinner. I had never had that before, so I just assumed it was a symptom of being pregnant. No big deal. Saturday rolled around and I was extremely nauseous. I drove to the grocery store, making myself car sick, to pick up the pre-requisit morning sickness arsenal of soda crackers and ginger ale. My mom happened to call me while I was shopping and could hear the sickness in my voice. She immediately asked me if I was pregnant, to which I replied "NO".

I got home and drank the ginger ale and started to feel a lot better. My family was having a party for my uncle's 60th birthday that day, so I had to do everything I could to look normal in front of everyone. We stayed at the party for a couple hours, but the smell of the food started to bother me. I asked my husband to take me home so that I could try to sleep off the illness, but the car ride proved to be worse than the party.

I barely got back into the house when I threw up for the first time. To preface my story a bit, I have probably only thrown up five times my entire life before this pregnancy, and it was usually tequilla related, so to throw up that Saturday was a huge deal for me. After I puked, I felt much better and decided to go to bed early because my husband and I were going to drive 50 plus miles to visit his parents the next morning.

I didn't need an alarm to wake me up on Sunday, because I had projectile vomit spewing out of me in the wee, small hours of the morning. I was so sick, and depressed that I was experiencing morning sickness like this. I ran downstairs to the kitchen to get my soda crackers and ginger ale, but it didn't work. Nothing burns quite as much as ginger ale coming out your nose. I told my husband to go to his parents on his own, because there was no way I was putting myself in a car for that long a trip. Even though I felt like crap, I thought that there was no way that I could feel any worse and that it would go away in a few days. Boy was I wrong.

I had a doctor's appointment the following Monday with my primary care provider. She did some blood work to confirm my pregnancy and prescribed some B6, Unisom and Phenergan for the nausea. She printed out some information on morning sickness and warned me to take the Phenergan cautiously, as there was not enough information on the potential side effects on the baby. Basically, she made me scared to take the medication. I tried the B6 and Unisom combination but it did nothing. I took half of the Phenergan and fell asleep.

By this time, I hadn't eaten since Saturday afternoon, and had probably thrown up 8 or 10 times. My husband urged me to eat, but nothing looked, smelled or sounded any good. In fact, by this point, his smell started making me ill. The next morning I started vomitting bile and dry heaving every five minutes. My husband called the OBGYN to set my initial appointment and told them how bad my condition was. They told him to get me to the ER right away for hydration therapy.

I was bawling my eyes out because I didn't want to get in the car, but he was adamant that we go. Upon arriving at the ER, I found out that I had lost 8 pounds in the three days that I felt sick. They gave me a shot of Zofran and put four litters of IV in me. I slept the entire time and was so hungry by the time I woke up. The ER doctor gave my husband a print out on Hyperemesis Gravidarum, and told him that it was important to make sure that I was hydrated. They sent me home with a prescription of Zofran and set me up with an appointment at the OBGYN's office for that Thursday.

When I got home, I ate two crackers, threw them up, and tried to sleep. But the nausea robbed me of that as well. I just sat up crying all night thinking, "how am I going to do this?". My husband finally gave up and called my mom, hoping that she could get me to eat. She had no idea that I was pregnant, so she was both thrilled and worried when she got the news. She rushed to the house to be by my side, and force fed me a milkshake. She retold her pregnancy horror story and apologized forgiving me her genes. Having her there made me feel calm and relaxed and I was able to fall asleep in her arms. After she left though, it started all over again.

By Thursday, I had lost 14 pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight. The doctor seemed empathetic and started me on a higher dose of Zofran and Phenergan. I felt more at ease about taking the drugs because the specialist was prescribing it. She told me I could take it every eight hours, which was better than the once a day regimine I was on. However, I didn't feel any better so on Friday, I went to an acupuncturist.

I was willing to try anything and everything to make myself feel better. While the acupuncturist was placing the needles in my ears, head, wrists, stomache and feet, I felt the sudden urge to vomit. But the woman twisted the needles slightly in place and the sensation went away. Hallalujah!!! I thought I had found the cure. For two whole hours after the session, I was on cloud nine. My husband and I went to McDonalds where I ordered a Fillet O' Fish and Seven-Up. It took me two hours to finish it, but I swear, it was like manna from heaven:)

That day was our five year anniversary and we had dinner reservations at a very exclussive restaraunt. I was so happy that I was feeling better and that we would be able to make it to dinner, when it all hit me again. Needless to say, we have yet to celebrate our fifth year. Anyway, I went to the acupuncturists dilligently, every day for a full week with only minimal benefit. I would be saved for a couple hours a day, but the rest of the day was committed to vomitting. I was now throwing up on average, upwards of forty times a day.

On my second visit to the OB's, they decided that I needed home IV treatment. They set me up with Matria for IV and subcutanious Zofran. But somehow the wires got crossed, and the started me on IV and Reglan. Well, the Reglan did nothing but cause me to become extremely anxious and nervous. My emetic episodes were more severe and now I couldn't even sleep. After 26 hours of straight vomitting, I called my doctor's office in hystarics. They told me to come in right away to get hospitalized. My husband drove me to the office looking like death. Neither one of us had slept, and his patience with me was waining.

When we walked into the office, they rushed me into a patient room and the doctor came in soon after. She discussed all treatment options including termination. At that moment, the idea of aborting the baby to feel normal sounded great. She said that I should be admitted to the hospital for observation that night, but I didn't want to. I just couldn't stop crying for some reason, so my husband made the decision for me and had me admitted.

One night became "just through the weekend" to maybe one more night, and the next thing you knew, I was there for a full week. My husband started the paperwork with my company to get me on short term disability and my doctor gave me the worst news I could've ever heard. She told me that I did in fact have hyperemesis, and that the majority of women suffering with the illness experienced it through at least the first five months. WHAT!!!

She said that she was not comfortable sending me home without an IV which meant that I would have to have a PICC line put into my arm. I was not happy about this at all, but what other option did I have. While in the hospital, they had me on a steady dose of Anzemet and Reglan, and I was able to eat several small meals throughout the day. I had put about four pounds back on thanks to the IV and was looking a lot less like death warmed over, so they were ready to send me home.

So that long drawn story took me to about week nine or ten. From there, I was successfully treated at home with the IV, Anzemet andReglan regiment. I was still throwing up about twenty times a day,but in the comfort of my own home. I couldn't more than two hours a day thanks to the Reglan, I couldn't watch TV because it was overstimulating, but I was slowly getting on the mend. At 19 weeks, I started to feel like a new woman. I was down to only five emetic episodes per day, and by week 20 the PICC line was removed. I am now at week 25 and still throwing up at least once a day, but I am completely off the meds and am sleeping a solid four to five hours aday. I can feel my baby girl move inside me, which has made this experience all worth while.

My husband and I had always said that we would like three kids, but sadly, I don't know if I could do this again. I just wouldn't feel right, allowing my daughter to see me in that state. How could I care for her when I can't care for myself, and would she have harsh feelings towards the baby that is making her mommy so sick? Anyway,that was my LONG story. I still have a ways to go, but now I know I can survive it!

Thanks!

2007-12-04T08:55:00.000-08:00

To the wonderful people who have bought my book thank you!
My goal is to help other women and you will help me reach that goal.

I just wanted to personally thank you for making a difference in someone's life.

A portion of your purchase goes to help fund education and research efforts by the HER Foundation. Someday maybe we will know enough about this terrible disease to stop the suffering of 80,000 women every year!

You can also make a donation directly to the HER Foundation on their website: http://www.helpher.org

When you are done reading the book, dont let it collect dust! why not donate it to a woman you think it can help or... to your local library, hospital, etc... the more people who know about HG the more women we can help!

THANK YOU!!!

New Forums for HG Survivors!

2007-11-28T23:02:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone :)
I just wanted to pass on the following forum for HG survivors:

http://www.beyondmorningsickness.com/forum/

Ashli McCall has added a forum to her website : Beyond_Morning_Sickness

Ashli McCall battled severe hyperemesis gravidarum four times!!!
Read her HG Diary: http://www.hyperemesisgravidarum.blogspot.com/

Thanks Ashli for sharing this with me! :)

Podcast: Episode 4 Book Reading

2007-11-21T22:23:00.000-08:00

Episode 4 Book Reading

Today's reading from my book, Letters to Zane, included:
Page 34, A letter dated August 18, 2006
Page 35, A letter dated August 19, 2006 thru August 21, 2006

Also, the continuation of my adventures with HG : "How debilitating HG is and My Flight Home."

Also visit my activist page:
http://my.care2.com/lokelani33
Sign my petition to encourage government funding of much needed HG research!

I am looking for women to share their HG Stories!
If you have suffered from HG and want to tell your story please email me : letterstozane@yahoo.com

Have A Happy Turkey Day!
Sorry for the not so great quality of this week's recording...still figuring out this mic!

Kimber MacGibbon on Today

2007-11-21T17:25:00.000-08:00

Here is a video of the Her Foundation's founder Kimber MacGibbon, explaining what Hyperemesis Gravidarum is on the Today Show...

In the News...

2007-11-20T12:07:00.000-08:00

Hyperemesis Gravidarum

New Avatars

2007-11-18T19:29:00.000-08:00

Hi All...
Here are a few new avatars :)
Feel free to use them but please do not link directly to the pic!
Right Click and save to your computer.

HG Slideshow

2007-11-16T18:52:00.000-08:00

Episode 3 Podcast available...

2007-11-11T12:34:00.000-08:00

Episode 3 is up! It includes:

Pages 27, A letter dated August 12, 2006
Pages 32, A letter dated August 16, 2006

Also, the continuation of my adventures with HG : "My hair falling out & resigning from my job."

Dont forget to visit my activist page:http://my.care2.com/lokelani33

Sign my petition to encourage government funding of much needed HG research!

Also! I am looking for women to share their HG Stories!
If you have suffered from HG and want to tell your story on my podcast please email me : letterstozane@yahoo.com

Letters to Zane Now Available on Amazon.com & Barnes and Noble.com!

2007-11-08T23:24:00.000-08:00

That's right! Letters to Zane is now available on Amazon.com & it's affiliate Borders.com

Letters_to_Zane_on_Amazon.com!

Update: November 13, 2007 ~ Also available online from Barnes and Noble!

Letters_to_Zane_on_Barnes_and_Noble.com!

It is pretty cool to think I really made this happen! It was alot of hard work, and alot to go through...so buy the book :) you will be helping other women who have suffered and are suffering from this terrible disease.

Podcast Episode 2 is up!

2007-10-30T09:57:00.000-07:00

YEAH!!!
I dont know what was wrong with the file, but it is up and ready for your listening pleasure :)
I started a new little thing with my podcast, "Raynie's adventures with HG" where I tell you little stories about my experiences that are not in the book.

Raynie's trip to Walmart for a prescription, is my first story in the series it is just what it sounds like...the horrible trip to get my medication, medication that did absolutely nothing to help me!!! LOL

UGH...

2007-10-29T17:22:00.000-07:00

Ok I have worked on my podcast 2 days now...and am having technical difficulties!
As soon as tech support fixes the problem I will publish the next episode :)
Hang in there with me...

Podcast Resumes...

2007-10-27T08:09:00.000-07:00

Hi all!
I havent done a new podcast lately because I have been glued to my TV, cell phone and messenger waiting anxiously for word from family and friends in So Cal.

Thankfully most were safe and out of harms way, but I have some friends who have lost everything...

My love and prayers go out to them and their families, as well as all those in So Cal effected by these fires.

I thank those on the front lines who do what they can, putting themselves in harms way... and the Governator for his quick response.

For the latest updates and ways you can help the fire victims check the fireblog:
http://sosdfireblog.blogspot.com/

The Letters to Zane podcast will resume this Sunday night.

Theories, Theories everywhere...

2007-10-25T10:46:00.000-07:00

But no cure yet for us...

Here are some theories of where HG may come from:

What causes hyperemesis gravidarum remains unknown despite active research.
The more popular theories are categorized into 3 areas:

Hormonal
Elevated levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or a component of this hormone may play a role in inducing vomiting. This hormone has been shown to be in women with hyperemesis gravidarum.

Thyrotoxicosis or hyperthyroidism is also believed to be associated with hyperemesis gravidarum. A portion of the hCG hormone, called beta-hCG, is thought to stimulate an increase in serum thyroid hormones, which are associated with hyperemesis in pregnant women. It is not known whether this is a cause or effect of hyperemesis.

Another hormone thought to be the involved is serotonin. This is a brain chemical that affects both the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. These effects are believed to induce vomiting. During pregnancy, the upper GI tract may slow down and thus contribute to increased nausea and vomiting. Several studies have shown that this slowdown in the GI tract is increased in pregnant women with severe vomiting.

Gastrointestinal
Helicobacter pylori bacteria that live in the intestinal tract may cause the development of peptic ulcer disease. These bacteria are found in a greater percentage among pregnant women and greater still in those with hyperemesis gravidarum. Antibiotics are used to treat all these conditions.

Psychosocial
Although the idea is controversial, some researchers think the condition may be a woman's psychological reaction against the pregnancy and might arise from conflict within the family and her home environment. In these cases, counseling has been used.
http://www.emedicine.com/aaem/topic260.htm

HG Sufferers Needed...

2007-10-18T22:42:00.000-07:00

If you are currently suffering from HG, the HER Foundation is looking for women to talk on camera, to give a face to HG suffering...

Go to their site www.helpher.org

Help spread awareness, contact them ASAP!

Share Your Story...

2007-10-18T00:11:00.000-07:00

Hello All...

As you know I have started my podcast, It is available from iTunes.

I would like to have guests share their HG Stories. If you are currently suffering from HG, are an HG Survivor, or have cared for someone suffering from HG... Share your Story!

Together we can raise awareness and help other women...
email me for details: letterstozane@yahoo.com

HG worse with female fetus??

2007-10-17T23:08:00.000-07:00

According to an article I read today, HG is worse when a woman is pregnant with a female fetus...

"Women carrying female fetuses admitted with hyperemesis gravidarum are associated with some well recognized markers of starvation and dehydration and hence with more severe hyperemesis gravidarum," Dr. P. C. Tan from the University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, told Reuters Health.

It was a small study only 166 women who were hospitalized with HG. According to their findings 60% had female babies. Also these women had severe ketonuria and high urea, however none of them required TPN.

Obviously more research is needed to find the real significance...

Especially since I had what is considered severe HG, requiring TPN, and I gave birth to a boy!

Here is the Article: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/537346

New... (updated 10/19)

2007-10-16T11:22:00.000-07:00

Hi all...
I just published the next episode in my podcast. :)
Jenifer just let me know that she couldn't find it in the iTunes store.
It is there, but it is under Artist: Raynie

or you can use the link on the left...

or go to letterstozane.mypodcast.com

Thanks for tuning in :)

***Update: I fixed the problem in my podcast account :)
you can now find the podcast by searching for Raynie Andrewsen in your iTunes!

Got Spit?

2007-10-15T10:48:00.000-07:00

Ok it's real easy to participate in the HG study I mentioned earlier...

I did it and all it took was answering a few questions, a medical diagnoses of Hyperemesis Gravidarum (med records) and some spit! Actually it took quite a bit of spit, but it was so worth it. They need 1000 women who have had or currently are suffering from HG to participate in a study of possible genetic factors.

I know when I was sick with HG I suffered from Ptyalism, which is excessive salivation. I was constantly spitting in my throw up bucket because if I swallowed it I would instantly throw up. Just one of the many lovely side effects of HG.

My fellow HG ladies, I know you may be having the same problem if you are currently suffering... so put that spit to good use!

Please contact Marlena Schoenberg Fejzo, PhD at nvpstudy@usc.edu or 310-210-0802 to participate...you will be helping many more women :)

I Sold One!

2007-10-15T08:20:00.000-07:00

I would like to personally thank you...

I dont know your name or where you are from, but you bought my book! Thank you so much.

I hope you like our story, but mostly I hope if you had or have HG that it will help you, inspire you, give you hope. If you know someone with HG please pass it along to them. Your purchase helps women with HG, 30% goes to The HER Foundation to help fund education and research.

I am happy to share my story with you, please help me spread the word about HG. We can help so many women if we just pass it on...

THANK YOU!

Letters to Zane Podcast on iTunes...

2007-10-11T09:40:00.000-07:00

That's right! You can subscribe for free to my podcast of Letters to Zane on iTunes. I have some good stuff in the works... I will be reading from the book, inviting other HG survivors to share their stories, possibly do some interviews, and whatever else I can think of. The good thing is... I will be reaching more people to raise awareness for HG!

Letters_to_Zane_on_iTunes_:)

Subscribe today! Dont miss out on the good stuff coming... (LOL)

Research Participants Needed!

2007-10-10T11:02:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!
I am participating in a study of possible genetic factors for Hyperemesis Gravidarum, I have been asked to pass the word around. They need 1000 women to participate.

If you have suffered from HG or know anyone who has please contact : Maternal-Fetal Medicine nvpstudy@usc.edu

Current 2007 Study: Genetics of Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG)
HG Researchers need your help! This study is designed to identify individuals affected with HG, to study epidemiologic factors via an online survey, to collect DNA samples from saliva through the mail at no cost or travel for you, and to search for genes and risk factors that may be potentially associated with this condition. To be eligible, you must have suffered from HG and had treatment for your HG that includes I.V. Hydration, TPN or other form of non-oral feeding (ie nasogastric feeding), OR both, and are able to recruit a friend with at least 2 pregnancies who has NOT suffered from HG to serve as a control. If you live in the United States and are interested, please contact Marlena Schoenberg Fejzo, PhD at nvpstudy@usc.edu or 310-210-0802.

Identification of genes and risk factors that contribute to HG will lead to a better understanding of the causes of severe nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, and should be a first step toward the development of more effective treatments or a cure for this devastating disease.

More info can be found at : http://www.helpher.org/HER-Research/opportunities.php

0a. How did you hear about the study?

0b. Are you currently living in the US?

1. Did you have severe nausea and vomiting in a singleton (not twins or multiples) pregnancy?

2. Were you treated with IV and/or TPN (total parenteral nutrition) or other form of feeding tube (ie nasogastric feeding tube) in this pregnancy due to nausea and vomiting?

3. Did your HG pregnancy have an abnormal outcome such as molar pregnancy, Down Syndrome, or any other chromosomal abnormalities or malformations?
If yes, please explain.

4. Do you think you will be able to identify an unaffected friend of the same race/ethnicity (not a family member) with at least 2 pregnancies that went beyond 27 weeks to participate in the study as a control?

5. To the best of your knowledge, are any of your relatives enrolled in this study?

6. Are you between the age of 18-50?

Sony E Book Optimized!

2007-10-06T16:55:00.000-07:00

Letters to Zane is now optimized for Sony ebook Reader. Sony® Reader owners will be able to download the eBook and read it wherever they go! I will be loading it to my website soon :) Stay tuned!

LOL....

2007-10-05T21:01:00.000-07:00

Now that was some fun!!!
I think I need a better mic, but my first test podcast sure was fun to make...
I have to admit I had a little stage fright, and got a little tongue tied...LOL
I cant wait to do the next one :)
http://letterstozane.mypodcast.com

Coming soon to a podcast near you!

2007-10-04T18:27:00.002-07:00

I am working on making a podcast of Letters to Zane. Along with a virtual book tour, complete with readings from the book.

I just started this today... Kind of a spur of the moment idea.
The address is: http://letterstozane.mypodcast.com/

I am also working on submitting it to the iTunes music store, although I am not too sure what it takes as I am working on that and this blog at the same time!
What can I say... I'm multi-talented at multi-tasking (hee hee)

I also created a website, although I mostly use my blog!
You can find it here: http://www.freewebs.com/letterstozane/

Anyhoooo
Thats whats new!

Getting Excited...

2007-09-29T08:04:00.000-07:00

I am testing the waters looking for reviews and making my "Hit list" for my marketing campaign. There's been some interest, but I wont say who or where...I dont want to jinx things (LOL) I'm not really superstitious, I just dont want to "count my chickens before they have hatched"!

I will be donating a portion of the sales of my book to the HER Foundation to support their ongoing research efforts. The HER Foundation is a 501c3 Non Profit Organization and donations are Tax Deductible! To learn more about Hyperemesis Gravidarum you can visit their site by clicking the banner below:

They will be adding my book to their site as well in the next week or so. Thank You! Kimber :)

The majority of my marketing effort will be when the book hits Amazon, etc... But so far I feel pretty good about the response I have recieved! Here's to hoping... :)

Press Release

2007-09-22T13:57:00.000-07:00

Raynie Andrewsen Aims to Raise Awareness of Deadly Pregnancy Disease: Hyperemesis Gravidarum with Release of New Book, Letters to Zane.

RENO, NV.—SEPTEMBER 22, 2007— Raynie Andrewsen leads readers through her struggles with Hyperemesis Gravidarum in a book written for her unborn child, Letters to Zane.
Letters to Zane is a heartfelt story of a woman who finds herself about to become a single mother and unknowingly about to fight for her life and the life of her unborn child. She learns she has Hyperemesis Gravidarum, and must face her own mortality. The disease although rare is very debilitating for women who must go through it. Some women abort or lose their child, others lose their lives. Letters to Zane describes the disease, treatment, and the daily struggles she faced trying to bring her child into the world.

Raynie Andrewsen originally wrote Letters to Zane as a journal to her unborn son, so that he would know how much he was wanted and loved. She quickly realized that her story could help other mothers struggling with Hyperemesis Gravidarum. She believes that it will give them hope when there seems to be none. Letters to Zane is available for purchase at www.lulu.com.

“I never thought bringing my child into this world would be so hard. I wanted to publish my story so other women suffering with Hyperemesis Gravidarum will have access to information in a market where there is very little written about the disease. There is little information available about this disease which afflicts approximately 50,000 women each year. If my story gives just one woman hope, then I have done my job.” said Raynie Andrewsen.

Link to Publication*: http://www.lulu.com/randrewsen

Author’s Blog*: http://letterstozane.blogspot.com/

ABOUT AUTHOR:

Raynie Andrewsen is a Single Mother, Master Herbalist, and Author. This is her first published work. She spends her days in Southern California with her son. She also volunteers her time reaching out to support other women who are suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

Published through Lulu.com, winner of the 2007 Web 2.0 Award for best websites (SEOMoz.com), top ranked self publishing site, one of the largest online worldwide creative communities, and a premiere global marketplace for new digital content on the Internet.

# # #

MEDIA CONTACT: Raynie Andrewsen, herbalrain@hughes.net, 760-586-1360.

Let's Celebrate!

2007-09-22T13:06:00.000-07:00

I did it! I finally published my book. In a few weeks our story will be out in the world for all to see. With a little luck it will reach a woman who is in desperate need of some HOPE!

It is available right now from the publisher:
Letters to Zane

Print Version is $19.95, Downloadable Version is $10.00

To order from your favorite bookstore or library when it becomes available, use these numbers:

Library of Congress Number: 2007906640

ISBN Number: 978-1-4303-2756-1

This is a big day for Zane and I! I just want to thank all the people who helped me through it all, you are truly a blessing.

New Chapter...

2007-09-19T09:13:00.000-07:00

I decided to add a chapter to my book, this chapter is going to have the clinical stuff! All the different ways I was treated for my HG. I am thinking it may help some women who may not have medical care familiar with treating this debilitating disease. I dont think it will delay the book at all. I am thinking it will be published this month and released by Christmas. At least that's the goal! Wish me luck!

My Proof is Here!

2007-09-17T22:57:00.001-07:00

Today was pretty exciting for me! My Proof book came in the mail today. I had drove down to the mailbox and was dissapointed that the mail was not there. Of course when I got back to the house the mail man drove up...LOL

I used the binoculars to see if it was worth driving the 1/3 mile back down to the mailbox, sure enough there was a box! I started jumping up and down saying "My Book is Here" It was somewhat reminicent of that scene from The Jerk... You know the one...'The new phone book's here, The new phone book's here!' LOL

Anyhooo.
I went back down and there it was. My book. My heartfelt words to my son, my tears, fears, and my joys. In Print. I wanted to cry I was so happy. I feel so accomplished.

I just finished proof reading it. There are a few things that need to be fixed, minor type-o's, but other than that I am pretty happy with it. I'll be publishing it in the next week and then setting up distribution.

My friends and family are excited.... So am I !

Friends

2007-09-10T08:34:00.000-07:00

"You were unrecognizable... I just cried because I wanted my friend back!"

That is what my Pamie Dear told me today. It was a very touching and emotional discussion. We were talking about my book and how close I am to having it released. She is excited to read it. She said that she could not believe how sick I was and actually neither could I. It still gets to me when I think about it, or read other women's stories.

It's hard to believe that women, in a time that should be their greatest joy, are stricken so hard. We are litterally beaten down by the disease. Women do die from this, and those who dont die certainly are knocking on the door.

Women terminate their pregnancies, or suffer for fear that they will never be able to go through it again and realize their dream of motherhood. This has changed my life. It has become kind of a mission to tell as many people as I can about Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

I am seriously traumatized. I honestly feel I could never have another child because I am terrified I will be as sick or worse. I dont think I could go through that again. I dont think my body could take it, and my recovery thus far has been slow although I think somedays I have come very far.

Although I have read limited research stating that the chances are about 50% that women experience HG in subsequent pregnancies, from the women I have found, it seems that number is not correct. I would say the number is more like 90%. The women I have found seem to suffer in each pregnancy, and if they carry to term many have same or worse severeity.

I cant believe that there is so little research done on something that is considered one of the major reasons (besides pre-eclampsia) that women are hospitalized. I cant believe that there are some women who cant get proper medical care for HG and end up terminating their baby or worse...dying.

It just bothers me. Just venting.

Library of Congress

2007-09-06T08:19:00.000-07:00

WOOOHOOO!
It's here! My Library of Congress PCN Number!
I'm Just a few short weeks from realizing one of my dreams!

Book Update!

2007-09-05T09:47:00.000-07:00

Things are running pretty smooth so far! I have just ordered my review copy to double check the editing and see what the finished copy will look like. I'm still waiting for my control number from the Library of Congress, should be another week. After my final review I will be ready for my ISBN and Distribution! It's pretty cool what you can accomplish when you put your mind to it. Plus... it has given me a taste of what I need to do for my next project!

WANTED: HG Survivors for a Calendar Project

2007-08-31T10:22:00.000-07:00

I am thinking of creating a "Faces of HG" Calendar. What do you think? I need to work out the tiny details... I am getting excited. If you are interested in participating as a "Model" let me know! I am thinking it would be a great idea for raising money for our cause! It would be a Mommy and Baby picture, and a brief blurb of your experience... at least that is my thought right now. Anyhooo...more on that subject to come...

P.S.
Here is "Miss September" LOL, just cuz Sept is my bday!

OK...How long does it take???

2007-08-31T10:06:00.000-07:00

I am so excited about letting my baby out into the world... My Baby = My Book
I want to share what I have gone through, and raise awareness about this horrible HG! I am waiting for my Library of Congress number to add to my copyright page, editing almost done... I'm getting pretty excited to see the final product!

I Survived HG Avatars

2007-08-27T16:16:00.000-07:00

Feel Free to copy these for your own use! I will be making more when I have time.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum

2007-08-27T14:31:00.000-07:00

Hyperemesis Gravidarum is a rare pregnancy complication, afflicting only about 2% of pregnant women. ¹ “HG is a debilitating and potentially life-threatening pregnancy disease marked by rapid weight loss, malnutrition, and dehydration due to unrelenting nausea and/or vomiting with potential adverse consequences for the newborn(s).” ²

I was diagnosed with HG at a Reno emergency room on August 16, 2006. It began as just severe nausea and vomiting leading to dehydration, which they treated with antiemetics and IV fluids. However, the condition worsened. I went to the ER in Reno twice before resigning from my job and flying home to Southern California. I was so weak I could not care for myself. I didn’t want Scotty to have to take care of me although he tried very hard to do so. My Mom said to come home and I did. I had to be in a wheelchair at the airport, and when they brought me down to where my sister was waiting for me, she didn’t even recognize me! My niece had said I looked like my father when he was going through chemotherapy.

The day after I got home, I was rushed by ambulance to the hospital. My muscles were cramping up and I was very weak. I was admitted and this time in addition to IV fluids, I also needed potassium.

My potassium was very low, so low that they ordered an EKG to make sure my heart was okay. They also kept me on the floor with heart patients to be monitored over night. I believe I had tried just about every anti-nausea medicine that has been made by the time this story is through. After I was released, I was still unable to keep anything down.

The simplest things we do everyday, things we take for granted, I was unable to do. I could not shower without help, I could not even brush my own hair! I needed help walking to the bathroom! I couldn’t drive, I could not keep food or drink down. I was miserable.

This went on for months. I was so very frustrated and depressed and so many days I just cried and cried. I really did not know how much more I could take. I had lost over 20% of my pre-pregnancy body weight in a matter of months, I had been rushed to the emergency room twice by ambulance and once by a Della and my Mom. I was scared not only for my child, but for my own health that was rapidly deteriorating.

The doctors decided that if my child and I were going to survive we needed nutrition. Since I could not keep anything down, it would have to be intravenous. The procedure to install a PICC line was a big to-do, but once it was in and my home care established I could go home!

A catheter was carefully placed in my arm leading to a major blood vessel. The procedure did not hurt, but the care would be specific. I had a home nurse and TPN. TPN is Total Parental Nutrition, it is a complex mix of nutrition and vitamins specific to your body. It looks like milk in an IV bag, and actually smells like sour milk! I was relieved, but they still told me to try to eat, because this wasn’t a “cure” just a “bandaid” for now. I was going to be slowly weaned from the TPN over a period of time in hopes that I would be able to eat by then. My mother was taught how to care for the PICC line when the nurse was not there.

I had the PICC line for about a week when one morning I woke and my neck was swollen, I wasn’t sure if I just wrenched it somehow or what so I tried ice which seemed to help the swelling but once I removed it the swelling returned and was spreading. I knew something was not right and woke my Mother. She looked at my neck then called my nurse.

The nurse felt this was a life threatening situation and called an ambulance. I was back in the ER and they said I most likely developed a clot and they removed the PICC line.

After numerous tests and an ultrsound of my veins the results were in. I had numerous clots in the area of the PICC line which extended from my neck to half way to my elbow.

The treatment was going to be hospitalization and blood thinners. The only blood thinners they could prescribe me that would not pass to the baby was Lovenox. The Lovenox had to be injected subcutaneously… in my stomach!; Everyday for the next 3-6 months. Not to mention that I now no longer had a PICC line, so the only nutrition I was going to be able to give myself and my child was going to be whatever my body could force itself to keep down which wasn’t much. I was released only because I agreed to give myself the shots. I would have had to stay in the hospital if I could not give the shots myself. It was very painful, I never got it on the first try. I always had to poke myself more than once and one day it took me 6 tries! My stomach was so bruised I was running out of places to stick myself.

My trips to the emergency room were not over, however. I was rushed via ambulance one more time because in addition to all my other troubles, I began having fainting spells. The ER doctor told me that my symptoms could be indicative of the clot breaking off and traveling to my lungs. This too was life threatening, depending on the size of the clot, a pulmonary embolism would be treated by either medication or surgery, But… it could cause my death.

The doctor told me I would have to make a choice, because the test he would have to do to be sure, would harm my baby. I said I don’t want to do it. I was going to take a chance. I was admitted again. He did other tests and said that the blood thinners I was on may have prevented the clot from breaking off.

I lived.

I was told by my doctor that I may have to choose between my life and my child’s. I was not willing to choose. He sent one of his colleagues, a female, to talk with me the next morning and see how commited I was to having this baby. She too said there may come a time where I would have to choose because of all I had been through already physically and emotionally. I said I want this baby, this baby was meant to be. She said “then we will do everything we can to help you bring this child into the world.”

By Thanksgiving I was starting to keep some food down, although I had bouts of vomiting here and there, it was no where near what I had experienced up to that point. I had another ultrasound of my veins to see how the medication was doing. I had read that I would have further complications if my condition was not resolved by my third trimester. If the clot remained the stress of childbirth could cause it to break off and a pulmonary embolism, the blood thinners could cause bleeding complications, and should I require an epidural, if I was still on Lovenox there was a risk of permanent paralasis. Just when you think you cannot take anymore, or that it cannot get any worse…well, it can.

The results were that “there were no obvious blood clots, but there was still inflammation”. I finished out my prescription and had my last shot the day after Christmas. What a wonderful gift! I began my third trimester in January. By February I had finally gained weight… too much weight actually. I was showing early warning signs of pre-eclampsia. I was like, great what now? I had rapid weight gain, water retention, and my blood pressure was slightly elevated.

I had to be on a low sodium diet, get more rest, drink more water, and reduce stress. The doctor said that I needed to get it under control or he may have to do an emergency C section, as there would be great risk to the lives of both me and my baby. After about a week I lost 2 pounds so the low sodium diet must have been working. I shed a few more pounds over the following weeks which made my doctor happy.

Although I continued to have general weakness and occasional nausea and vomiting, I could finally drive and shower on my own, but I needed to rest afterward as something as simple as taking a shower made me quite weak.

I seemed to get a little more energy each day. I was able to enjoy my pregnancy, my family and my friends. I was apart of the world again, and I was really happy to have made it so far. As the days grew closer to my due date, I would think back on the days that I cried, that were so hard I wanted to give up.

And I think to myself…

I am so glad I didn’t. I swore to God if one more person told me I would have to make a choice, I would be very, very tempted to give in and give up. I started praying harder than I have ever prayed in my life to just take away this horrible disease so that I wouldn’t have to give up my child.

My prayer was answered. I got better slowly, but it was just enough to keep me going… to get me to the end. There was a light at the end of that tunnel after all. His name is Zane, and he is worth everything I had to go through, everything WE had to go through.

He wanted to live, and I wanted to be his Mother. I am so thankful for this gift.

¹http://www.wikipedia.org/;²Kimber MacGibbon, http://www.helpher.org/

Ticker

2007-08-27T13:44:00.000-07:00

Update

2007-08-25T15:00:00.000-07:00

The book is in the final editing process! I am very excited. This whole experience has changed my life! Who would have ever thought that bringing my child into this world would be so hard. I still feel as though my body is damaged, perhaps it is slowly recovering.

I just want to thank the people who helped me through everyday. It is so important to have a support group during those times when you want to give up and it seems there is no light at the end of the tunnel.

This is a life threatening disease, and the more research I do and the more stories I read from others, the more it really sinks in...

My life, AND my child's life was in danger. It is still unfathomable... sometimes I really can't believe it, how close I was. It certainly puts things in perspective!

US Pharmacist Info on HG

2007-07-13T10:54:00.000-07:00

WOW! I found this in my travels online...

It is a page by the US Pharmacist online publication. The page is on Hyperemesis Gravidarum and it's really informative. In particular it had information on treatment and the different drugs used in HG!

You may be interested to see as well:
http://www.uspharmacist.com/oldformat.asp?url=newlook/files/feat/acf2f23.htm

April 7, 2007

2007-04-07T16:13:00.000-07:00

Hi Honey!

Guess what? Tomorrow is supposed to be your birthday.

I have a lot of pressure down in my pelvis. The last couple of days I have had pain in my back off and on. Today I had some back pain and two cramps, but it went away. I don’t know if you will be born tomorrow or not, but you have been pretty active today. I feel occasional tightening in my belly…must be those Braxton Hicks contractions I read about…although I have no idea!

I am excited! I hope you will be born tomorrow, I cant wait to meet you. I want to see you and see what you look like. I want to hold you and tell you how much I love you. I want to hold you so bad, just want to snuggle and love you.

My sweet little love bug. I keep hoping my water will break or that labor would start. Everyone is so excited, they’ve been calling me a lot. I haven’t had any regular intervals of tightening or cramping.

I know I say it everyday but I am so excited…I cant wait!

I want to be your Mommy so bad. I hope tomorrow is the day!

We shall see…
Love You So Much!
Love Mommy

March 30, 2007

2007-03-30T16:10:00.000-07:00

Hello My Sweet Love,

How are you today? I just got out of the shower, it always wipes me out. Something as simple as taking a shower can make me so exhausted. I believe it has to do with the HG that I had.

I was a little nauseated the past two days as well. It said on the HelpHer.org website that recovery is long for HG women, to expect at least two months for every month you were sick.

I was horribly sick for 5 months, now some days are really good… I feel good and have energy… but lately I have been very low energy, taking lots of naps, and when I shower I need to just lay down and rest a few moments before I get dressed and finish my “beauty routine”.

It’s hot today...

This is an excerpt from the book I Wrote: Letters to Zane
Available September 2007

March 3, 2007

2007-03-03T16:07:00.000-08:00

Hi Sweetheart,

Today was your baby shower, and I must tell you I have the most wonderful friends. The baby shower was very nice.

We had Rubios Mexican Food Catering, and a yummy chocolate fountain with fresh fruit. We played some fun games and you got some very nice gifts.

I am so excited, you will be here very soon!

I Love You.
Love Mommy

February 22, 2007

2007-02-22T16:05:00.000-08:00

Hello My Sweet Love!

Tonight a funny thing happened and although I had been told about it and read about it, I was still somehow unprepared and a little shocked! *Laugh*

My left nipple leaked! I guess it knows I’ll be feeding you very soon. Just a few drops but it was still sooo weird!

I also threw up this morning, and haven’t felt all that great all day. It just creeps up on me sometimes. I am really glad I didn’t have cereal this morning because milk is HORRIBLE coming up. (The second time around) I had an apple and an English muffin and I was really bummed because it was Yummy!

I may have just waited too long to eat… I didn’t eat until 12pm, but I didn’t even wake up until 10am. I am supposed to be getting more rest.

I wish I had the energy to go for a walk, I really want to go walk on the beach… but it has been raining. I love the rain, but...

This is an excerpt from the book I Wrote: Letters to Zane
Available September 2007

February 18, 2007

2007-02-18T16:03:00.000-08:00

Hi Sweetie!

How do I love thee?

Only six more weeks until your birthday! I am so excited.

I started doing “kick counts” today to check how active you are. You were very active this afternoon and a little during my nap. It’s almost 7pm so you should be waking up soon. So I will...

February 13, 2007

2007-02-13T16:02:00.001-08:00

Hi Sweetie!

Mommy had a doctor appointment today.

He said I have the warning signs of yet another complication… I am retaining water, gaining too much weight, and have slight swelling in my legs. The doctor said I need to do a low sodium diet and watch what I eat.

These are warning signs of pre-eclampsia, and if I don’t get it under control, he might have to do an emergency C-Section.

I love you so much my sweet baby boy. I will...

This is an excerpt from the book I Wrote: Letters to Zane
Available September 2007

February 3, 2007

2007-02-03T16:00:00.000-08:00

Hello Sweetheart,

I am not feeling all that great today. Not really sick… just kinda blah! Feeling.

Tomorrow we are going to auntie Jess’s house. We are going down there for a visit, and a little break from all the never ending list of crap I need to finish before your birthday.

Hey!! You’re kickin’ me! …

January 28, 2007

2007-01-28T15:57:00.000-08:00

Hi Baby Zane,

It is about 3:00 am, and I am up! It seems I get up around 2:00-3:00 am everyday now. My body must be getting me ready for you.

I was hungry too, so I ate half of a banana. I am really tempted to eat some of the chocolate cake I have… maybe just a bite!

I haven’t been feeling too good these past 4 days. I threw up 3 days, including yesterday. I just feel low energy, and just blah in general. I don’t know why.

I am supposed to take pictures today… we will see if I am feeling up to it.

I am also trying to get our room fixed up. I finished your name; I made a cool decoupage on wooden letters…

This is an excerpt from the book I Wrote: Letters to Zane
Available September 2007

January 23, 2007

2007-01-23T15:56:00.000-08:00

Feeling sick today.

January 6, 2007

2007-01-06T15:55:00.000-08:00

Sweet Baby Zane,

Mommy Loves You!

I don’t have much to say today… kind of tired, but I wanted you to know I am thinking about you… and feel very blessed that I will get to be your Mommy.

You mean the world to me, you truly do.

I love you sooo much, my sweet little love.
Love Mommy

January 2, 2007

2007-01-02T15:53:00.000-08:00

Hi Sweet Baby Zane!

WOW! It’s the New Year. Time sure does go FAST…

It makes you appreciate life. When you think about how fast it goes and that your life is but a blink of an eye in the grander scheme of things.

I read on my baby website that you are now approximately 14 inches long and about 2 pounds. I am sooo excited! Your birthday is coming in like 96 days.

I can’t believe it.

Everything we have gone through thus far…

This is an excerpt from the book I Wrote: Letters to Zane
Available September 2007

December 27, 2006

2006-12-27T15:51:00.000-08:00

Hi Sweet Baby…
Mommy is kind of sad today.

I keep thinking about your Daddy and what he is missing not being part of your life. It really is HIS loss… But, I can’t help but feel that it is also your loss.

I had a wonderful Daddy. I wanted that for you too. I feel like I have let you down in that department.

I am sorry.

I just want you to be sooo happy, and not have any bad feelings about him or his choices.

You are such a gift in my life. I feel very blessed. I can’t wait to be your Mommy…

I Love YOU Sooo Much!
Love Mommy

December 17, 2006

2006-12-17T15:49:00.000-08:00

Hi Baby Zane…

Mommy doesn’t feel very good today.

I threw up last night and today. I am not sure why… maybe something I ate. I feel you moving inside my tummy right now. You are usually pretty active at this time (7:00pm).

I want to tell you that your father did apologize for the way he treated me… and I think in the back of my mind or the bottom of my heart I had hoped that he would say…

December 15, 2006

2006-12-15T15:46:00.000-08:00

Good Morning, Sweet Baby Zane

I did something today that I didn’t think I would do.

I forgave your father. I did this not for him, but for me. When you forgive someone who has done you wrong you do two things…

you release the negative that holds you back and you empower yourself.

I walked on the beach after and I felt really good. I felt happier and less unsure about what may happen in the future. PLUS! I get Karma brownie points *laugh*.

I love the beach, the beach is...

This is an excerpt from the book I Wrote: Letters to Zane
Available September 2007

December 13, 2006

2006-12-13T15:44:00.000-08:00

My Sweet Baby Zane,
Mommy’s tummy hurts today!

Not from being sick but from all the shots! I am sooo glad it is almost over… after Christmas I won’t have to do it anymore and I can finally let my poor tummy heal. I have sooo many bruises from the shots that I am running out of spots to give my shots in.

This Sunday I will be 6 months/24 weeks pregnant. Time is really flying now...

December 1, 2006

2006-12-01T15:43:00.000-08:00

Good Morning My Love
The more I feel you moving around inside me the more excited I get. I can’t wait to hold you!

I just gave myself my daily shot in the tummy and it hurts! I got a baby book for you the other day…

November 29, 2006

2006-11-29T15:40:00.000-08:00

Hi Zane!
I can’t even begin to tell you how happy I am.

You are truly a gift from heaven. I am beginning to feel much better. My nausea and vomiting is finally going away. In fact I haven’t puked in days!

I ate in a restaurant 3 times with no problems, I am starting to spend time with friends, and I am venturing out for a few hours here and there for shopping or whatever.

I am only able to handle about 2 hours of walking around before I start getting exhausted and feeling bad… but I am working on that.

It is very hard for me to not have energy for the smallest things. I used to hike daily with Kimo up to six miles at a time, so to be wiped out after very little is...

This is an excerpt from the book I Wrote: Letters to Zane
Available September 2007

November 28, 2006

2006-11-28T15:38:00.000-08:00

WOOOHOOO!!!
Today was my “official” ultrasound and guess what?

Everything I knew in my heart and soul was confirmed. You are a BOY!!

My sweet baby Zane.

My SON!

Today was one of the happiest days of my life! I love you very, very much and I feel you in there moving around.

It’s so weird!

Love Mommy

Statistics from Hospitals in England (2002-2003)

2006-11-01T10:39:00.000-08:00

Hospitalization statistics for Hyperemesis Gravidarum: The following are statistics from various sources about hospitalizations and Hyperemesis Gravidarum:

0.166% (21,205) of hospital consultant episodes were for excessive vomiting in pregnancy in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)

96% of hospital consultant episodes for excessive vomiting in pregnancy required hospital admission in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)

100% of hospital consultant episodes for excessive vomiting in pregnancy were for women in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)

59% of hospital consultant episodes for excessive vomiting in pregnancy required emergency hospital admission in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)

2.5 days was the mean length of stay in hospitals for excessive vomiting in pregnancy in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)

2 days was the median length of stay in hospitals for excessive vomiting in pregnancy in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)

27 was the mean age of patients hospitalised for excessive vomiting in pregnancy in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)

100% of hospital consultant episodes for excessive vomiting in pregnancy occurred in 15-59 year olds in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)

0% of hospital consultant episodes for excessive vomiting in pregnancy occurred in people over 75 in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)

1% of hospital consultant episodes for excessive vomiting in pregnancy were single day episodes in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)

0.097% (50,967) of hospital bed days were for excessive vomiting in pregnancy in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/h/hyperemesis_gravidarum/hospital.htm

Clinical Trials...

2006-10-20T10:30:00.000-07:00

Clinical trials are being conducted to study the use of a delayed release drug for the treatment of HG.

http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00293644

To Participate you must meet certain criteria listed below:

Inclusion Criteria:
Singleton pregnancy of less than 7 weeks gestation.
Women who previously carried a full term pregnancy.
Severe NVP/HG in previous pregnancy by verbal confirmation as determined by questionnaire

Exclusion Criteria:
Women who refuse to participate in the study/sign a written concent
Women with insufficient English language skills to understand the questionnaires and assessment material
Women in her first pregnancy
Women who didn’t suffer severe NVP/HG in previous pregnancy
Gestational age beyond 7w+0d weeks of pregnancy
Multiple gestation
Women who have had previous adverse effects to “Diclectin®”
Women who take another anti-emetic medication
Pregnant women younger than 18 years.

See the link above for more detailed description of the clinical trial.

October 4, 2006

2006-10-04T15:34:00.000-07:00

My Dear Grandchild,

Went and spent the day with your Mommy in the hospital. Had to call the paramedics to come get your Mommy yesterday around 5:15pm. When they started to take her to the gurney your Mommy fell back into the recliner and started jerking and was kind of out of it. When she came to they got her to the gurney and took her to the ER.

After being there for a while, the ER doctor told her that she might have to terminate you if she had a clot in her lungs. Your Mommy chose you and was going to take a chance...

This is an excerpt from the book I Wrote: Letters to Zane
Available September 2007

September 26, 2006

2006-09-26T15:31:00.000-07:00

Good Morning!

Sorry I haven’t written my love. Mommy has been very sick.

I was back in the hospital for about a week, unable to keep anything down. They inserted a catheter into my arm called a PICC Line, so that they could give me nutrition through IV. I was finally able to come home but I had to have home health care with a nurse. They taught Tutu to change my IV and to take care of my needs while the nurse was not there.

Unfortunately, I developed yet more complications from that! My neck swelled one night I was taken in the morning back to the ER via ambulance. I now have a clotted area in my veins, from my neck to the PICC Line site (which had to be removed). The only nutrition I get now is whatever I can hold in… which isn’t much, but I am trying.

The doctors gave me medications to try to...

September 4, 2006

2006-09-04T15:27:00.000-07:00

Hello my sweet Baby…

I am sorry I have not written in many days. Mommy has been very sick!!

Grandma “Tutu” sent me by ambulance to the hospital. I stayed 2 nights it was AWEFUL.

My potassium was very dangerously low because I have been so sick and vomiting. They had to monitor my heart and...

This is an excerpt from the book I Wrote: Letters to Zane
Available September 2007

August 18, 2006

2006-08-18T15:23:00.000-07:00

The doctor said that I have “Hyperemesis Gravidarum”, a rare very intense form of morning sickness.

JUST MY LUCK!

Apparently this form of BAD morning sickness happens in less than 1 in 200 pregnancies.

The good news is that I have not had any nausea or vomiting since I got out of the ER, at least not for the last 3 days…

This is an excerpt from the book I Wrote: Letters to Zane
Available September 2007

August 16, 2006

2006-08-16T15:21:00.000-07:00

Hi Baby…
I went to the emergency room last night for dehydration and extremely bad morning sickness. Could be that Mommy is just a wimp… but I feel a lot better today.

So far I have kept down 2 ½ crackers and some water. They gave me 2 bags of IV and some medication to help with the nausea. I feel like my throat is injured from all the vomiting and stomach acids, it’s hard to swallow.

Anyhoo…sorry I didn’t write for a few days… but I was sick!
I love you baby.

August 8, 2006

2006-08-08T15:16:00.000-07:00

WOW!

Thirteen days of journal entries…*laughing* that has to be a RECORD!
But I want you to have these letters so you know what I am feeling everyday you are a part of my life. I want you to know how much I love you.

There is an “old wives” method of trying to “predict” the sex of an unborn child. It is called dowsing. You use a pendulum, or necklace, or string with a wedding ring tied to the end.

Since I am not a married woman *GASP!* *Laugh* …and I do not have a pendulum, I used Grandpa Angel’s necklace. It is a cross that my mother gave to him when he went to Vietnam (a war you will learn about someday). Anyhoo…

It is a silver cross engraved with “Forever Darling”. I wear it when I travel usually, but since you came into my life, I never take it off. So, what you do is hold the necklace/pendulum/ring over the pregnant woman’s belly to see what it does.

If it swings back and forth it will be a...

This is an excerpt from the book I Wrote: Letters to Zane Available September 2007

August 4, 2006

2006-08-04T15:14:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Love

Each day that passes I am one day closer to holding you!

Each day that passes my heart hurts less and loves more… and it is all because of YOU!

A tiny little miracle of life growing inside of me. I love you sooo much. You truly are a blessing. I can’t wait until you are in my arms and I can tell you in person how much you mean to me.

Love Mommy

July 30, 2006

2006-07-30T14:58:00.000-07:00

Hello My Love!

Today was not that great…

And I need to apologize to you because, I never planned for this.

I always thought that I would be in a loving, committed relationship before became a mother. I am sorry that I can’t give you the happy family I wanted for you. I told your Dad about you, and he just said we can’t be together, but if I need help to let him know…

This is the man who was once so in love with me as to say I was the best thing in my life besides his daughter. I am soooo sorry. I wanted you to know your Daddy, and to be a happy family… But I don’t think that will happen and for that I am heartbroken and truly sorry.

Please know that I love you sooooo much, and I would have done anything to make it happen…

But I have learned in life that...

This is an excerpt from the book I Wrote: Letters to Zane

Available September 2007

July 27, 2006

2006-07-27T14:55:00.000-07:00

Ok! So I am a little obsessive compulsive…

I took my first test on July 25, four days before my period was due…Positive but it was very light.

I am taking it early because I have been feeling very strange, I have had a metallic taste in my mouth since I got home from Vermont. I wasn’t sure if it was the water ( I made Scotty check all the filters!) or if I caught some weird disease from the mosquitos!

But… I looked up my symptoms online and one of the things that came up was pregnancy!So today, the 27th, I re-tested and again positive but darker… which I read online to mean that there is MORE pregnancy hormone present, and it doubles every few days.

I am getting sooo excited and just because I am a spaz; I tested again with a different brand. *Laughing*… and again positive!

I will believe it when I miss my period, test again, and see the doctor.I don’t know what the future holds, but I have been blessed!

I don’t know how to tell J, I’m scared.

Letters to Zane

Treatment Success?

TPN Study Results (Greece)/ PICC Study Results (U.S.)

What to do after vomiting:

Foods to Replace Lost Nutrients:

Chinese Medicine???? Hmmmm....

More HG Videos...

More info on the current study at USC

Something New...

One Year Ago...

Wow, Time sure flies...

Counting My Blessings...

Trying to understand God's purpose...

Spreading the word and maybe some HOPE...

Hypnosis? I said I was sick... not CRAZY!

Subcutaneous Metoclopramide Therapy for HG?

Interesting...

The "Hyperemesis Diet"

"Hyperemesis of Pregnancy"

Poster

Elaine Cho's HG Story

Thanks!

New Forums for HG Survivors!

Podcast: Episode 4 Book Reading

Kimber MacGibbon on Today

In the News...

New Avatars

HG Slideshow

Episode 3 Podcast available...

Letters to Zane Now Available on Amazon.com & Barnes and Noble.com!

Podcast Episode 2 is up!

UGH...

Podcast Resumes...

Theories, Theories everywhere...

HG Sufferers Needed...

Share Your Story...

HG worse with female fetus??

New... (updated 10/19)

Got Spit?

I Sold One!

Letters to Zane Podcast on iTunes...

Research Participants Needed!

Sony E Book Optimized!

LOL....

Coming soon to a podcast near you!

Getting Excited...

Press Release

Let's Celebrate!

New Chapter...

My Proof is Here!

Friends

Library of Congress

Book Update!

WANTED: HG Survivors for a Calendar Project

OK...How long does it take???

I Survived HG Avatars

Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Ticker

Update

US Pharmacist Info on HG

April 7, 2007

March 30, 2007

March 3, 2007

February 22, 2007

February 18, 2007

February 13, 2007

February 3, 2007

January 28, 2007

January 23, 2007

January 6, 2007

January 2, 2007

December 27, 2006

December 17, 2006

December 15, 2006

December 13, 2006

December 1, 2006

November 29, 2006

November 28, 2006

Statistics from Hospitals in England (2002-2003)

Clinical Trials...