Dear Heartburn,

We need to talk...

You and I haven't really gotten acquainted much over the last 26 years.  We've known of each other, had a few brief interactions, but never really had a chance to get to know each other well.  I was never sad about that.  I was happy that we kept our distance.  For you to just attack me when my back was turned, well, that was just low.  This needs to stop.  I don't appreciate the stalking, the creepy late-night visits, or that you've interrupted my meals numerous times in the last couple of weeks.  Just who do you think you are?!  

--

When my older sisters, Edna and Laura, were still making babies, I remember there were a lot of TUMS.  At one point, Tums were so important that when I needed one after eating too much pizza at Chuck E. Cheese, I was denied and practically bawled out about how important those Tums were...and apparently they were the last ones on the whole planet :)  

So, when I found out I was pregnant, I decided to invest early... and now the moment that I feared that I needed them is upon us...

I'm pretty sure there isn't anyone out there who enjoys getting heartburn.  I have been lucky enough to not have to worry about it too often thus far in life.  Early in my pregnancy, a friend even asked if I had any Tums handy and said I was lucky when I said I hadn't needed them yet.  Heartburn is my least favorite part of being pregnant.  I don't even mind having to pee all the time, or switch positions a million times in the night, I just don't like heartburn.  

I've been trying to stick to a decent diet.  I eat a lot of fruits and grains, get my share of vegetables daily, all of that.  I tried not to indulge in too many unhealthy foods, but anyone who knows me knows that I can't resist potatoes...especially french fries.  I know, it's terrible.  It is this addiction that helps aid heartburn into my daily life.  I'm working on it, but what I've learned about addiction is that it isn't easy to let go.  It isn't as if I eat them all the time, but now that I've got my mind on them I want to indulge.    BAH.  I am learning that indulging isn't always the best.  For example, yesterday I ate Safeway Chinese food because (for whatever reason) I thought it sounded good at the time.  It lead to one of the worst cases of heartburn yet.  Now I don't think that I'll be indulging in any craving for Chinese food unless I know it's going to be good.  Luckily I had Tums when I got home and got through the episode even though I felt like I could have eaten the whole bottle (I'm sure they advise against that, though).  I also had a cold pear (which has been my recent craving) which seemed to really help my situation.  Any little thing can set me off though, it's nerve-racking.  Thank you heartburn, for keeping me on edge...really nice.  

If you have any tips on getting through this part of pregnancy, that would be awesome.  If I have to just stick it out with tums I guess it could be worse.  In conclusion, I would just like to say:  Barbara never gave me heartburn... Oh well.  (Conclusions haven't been my strong point as of late...)

Cheers.