Life is one wild ride, isn't it? The greatest surprise of your life may be just around the corner. Join me as I do my best to embrace a new life. Mama to a 4 yr. old, 3 yr. old & a wee one that just turned one. An unexpected/risky pregnancy with the last, that pushed me to the limits on faith, love, & at times...sanity! Follow the adventures & awakenings of this little tribe I am proud to call my family as we try to find our place in the sun!
To sum up the weeks until my 18th week in pregnancy I would say this. Physically as the pregnancy progressed I felt worse and worse and emotionally, things were starting to take a toll on me as well. The worse morning sickness I had ever had that lasted all day and night, every day for almost 4 months, along with getting a sinus infection, horrible back pian already, and my endless worries about baby and I were real challenges. We pulled through the challenges one at a time. Day by day. "Just keep swimming. Just Keep swimming!" was our mantra. I pulled strength from my family and friends and from being creative because that always makes me feel better too.
At 21 weeks I started physical therapy for my back and continued to go up until birth. I started having round ligament pain. At 22 weeks I started having horrible cramping and had to be seen to make sure I was not in preterm labor. That cramping would go on every week until delivery. This week it was also discovered that I had gestational thrombocytopenia.
By week 28 I was just a mess and doc said enough was enough. I stopped working. It seemed to shock my co-workers but with the pain I was in everyday, it wasn't a total shock to me. Being home helped me immensely. After a few week I was finally getting some relief from the back pain and emotionally I was able to take out the stress of holding it all together and working, It was time to slow things down. I knew in my heart that if I hadn't of done that Iwould have had this baby way to early and she was already at risk.
Fast forward to 33 weeks. An ultrasound went great. Besides not being able to locate the Mirena anymore, the baby looked perfect. A true miracle!
From there the weeks just passed. I felt blessed for everyday I got to carry her. All my doctors were monitoring me for all the issues.
And finally, July had arrived! It wouldn't be long now.
I know, I know. I owe you a big fat post. It has been over a week since I have written anything and that for me is not normal. Hope you weren't worried. I thought about writing several times, but honestly.....I have been struggling. MUCH has changed since last time I wrote but I didn't have one single ounce of energy to fill you in.
That brings me to Ch Ch Ch CHANGES..........
OK. Here goes.
You all know I have been going to physical therapy for the last 2 months and while it helps while I am there and maybe for that night, the pain quickly returns with my hour commute each way to work each way plus sitting at a desk all day, then taking care of two wee ones when I get home, all while carrying this precious baby girl. I am beyond the normal exhaustion and I felt like a Zombie Mom. I was leaving work early or struggling just to get by every day. My coworker even set up the back of her car with memory foam, blankets, and pillows so I could nap a while on my break. My car has to many car-seats to allow for resting in there, and although this felt strange to do......when you are that tired, it works. I was also having multiple doc appointments a week and was out of sick and vacation time so this was becoming tricky. Which also meant I couldn't call out if I needed to. I was at an emotional and physical breaking point. I hit the wall.
Out of the blue at work they approached me with an offer. They must had realized how hard it would have to come back full-time after baby number three and had an offer for me. Stay on the job until baby comes or doc says enough is enough, take my maternity leave and when I am ready, come back part-time to a different position OR sign that I am coming back full-time to my same position. I slept on it for a night and signed for the part-time option. It was the only logical answer and this was exactly what I needed. I was so relieved that things were actually going to work out! It felt like a small miracle. Something to be thankful for, for sure.
So my Zombie Mom state continued along with growing back pain. I saw the Hematologist again this week. Good news is my platelet count has NOT dropped in the last month. Wahooooo! Although doc reminded me that from this point on is when the counts generally start to dip. But for now, things are OK...still lower than a normal count but not so bad. I will take it.
The next day I had my bi-weekly OB/GYN appointment and with my growing laundry list of complications (and belly), this weeks report of more horrible cramping and strong braxton hicks, doubled with how tired and in pain I have been in from my back......she pulled the plug on working. Although this was going to shock some people at work and was going to be financially not the best situation.....it was what was best for baby girl and I. We desperately needed this to happen. Now we would potentially have 11 and a half weeks to focus on us. Get as strong and healthy both physically and emotionally as possible. I happily accept this new job.
I went into work the next day to work a couple hours and let everyone know. The outpouring of love and support was overwhelming. Lots of hugs, tears, emails, flowers and balloons and a wonderful send off. I love my work family more than I can say.
