This was the worst week of the entire pregnancy so far.  I mean nearly unbearable.  I can't imagine that it would ever get much worse, except for the actual birth.

In the book "Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy" (one of the best ever!) the author says that of all things in life, pregnancy is fair.  If you don't have morning sickness, you'll have something else.  Well, my thing apparently is sciatica.  It's not too common for women to have it this early in the pregnancy, and I just hope that this does not mean that I will have a propensity for it throughout the 40 weeks.

Soon after my pelvic bones stopped that stretchy, achy feeling, I started getting pains in my hip joint that would shoot down my leg.  Over the next two weeks, it got to where I could not walk without limping and bending over to do anything was impossible.  This week it really peaked and Friday I was this close to having Joe take me to the emergency room.  My calls to my doctor were either not returned or they would call whenever I'd be out.  I was in such incredible pain that was only bearable if I was lying prone.  My calf would alternate being being numb and cramping up.  The worst of it all was how helpless I felt.  It really angered me at how I could not do anything for myself.  It was quite frustrating, particularly since we still were in the process of rearranging the apartment and my parents were coming to visit the next week.  There was so much to do and all I could do was lie on the floor and writhe. 

That was Friday.  Saturday I got up, feeling a quite a bit better and managed to meet Heather for breakfast and go to Walmart to get a heating pad.  I moved slowly but was okay, until I leaned over in Walmart. I know I looked odd, cringing with every step all ther way through the store.  (But I did get that great Gerber 5-in-1 bag that I've been wanting, and for $15 cheaper than anywhere else.) The rest of the day I spent in bed, having Joe take care of me. 

Sunday I felt great, and really haven't had any trouble since.  For a while it would twang if I leaned over funny, but it feels so great to be able to walk upright again, and to be able to do things around the apartment.   I never did actually use that heating pad.