Molly’s beat goes on…

I hope that you had a nice weekend. Our OB appointment was relatively uneventful medically speaking. Our OB was able to find Molly’s heartbeat, my blood pressure was normal and there was not protein in my urine. I shared with our OB that since I have begun watching more what I eat because of the gestational diabetes (GD), drinking more water and trying not to eat to many salty things because of the swelling, that I actually have been feeling somewhat better physically. As much as it is pain to not be able to eat any, or much of many, of the things I would like to be eating because of the GD, feeling better is definitely a good thing.

One interesting experience at our OB appointment today was that we got one of the most compassionate nurses that we have had yet, before it was time to meet with our OB. It was a nice change as the last 2 nurses at our last 2 appointments had no clue about what was going on with our pregnancy and thus were unintentionally insensitive, but it was still hard to deal with. I try to give them the benefit of the doubt and know they are busy, but sometimes I just wish they would stick a big note on my chart that says “this woman is not having a normal pregnancy, so please be sensitive.”

Anyway, the nurse we had today, didn’t assume right away that everything was fine with our pregnancy and thus it made it easier to fill her in. After sharing with her about our baby girl and her diagnosis/prognosis, the nurse shared with us (my mom who was with me today and me) that 16 years ago she lost one of her three sons, after he had lived for only 10 days. She explained how different things were then and how if he had been born with the same diagnosis today (I don’t recall exactly what that was), that it is treatable and that most babies live. We were so sad to hear about her son, but also very touched that she would share so candidly and could relate to what we are going through.

The nurse also shared that she was in her early thirties at the time her baby boy died and that the experience she had with the caring and compassionate nurses at Christ Hospital, when he was sick after he was born, literally inspired her to go back to school and become a nurse. I was just so blown away to meet someone who had been through a loss similar to what we will very likely experience with Molly and to see and hear many years later what she took from her loss and how she chose to make good things come from her experience. The nurse also shared that she only has pictures of her baby boy, but not of her holding him and she is glad to know that now it is more common, accepted and even recommended (by professionals to help with healing) to take pictures of the baby who dies with his or her family members too, not just alone.

I continue to be amazed by the things people share with us when they learn about Molly and our experience with her so far. We continue to feel so blessed and to be so touched by the care and compassion that our family, friends and those of you who we may not know, but have found my blog one way or another, have shown us through your comments, emails, cards, phone calls. Please keep those thoughts and prayers coming our way, as they mean so much to us and we believe they are really helping us to get through each day of our journey with Molly. Also, I don’t think I mentioned in this update yet that, I continue to feel our daughter move and I choose cherish this experience for as long as it may last.

Sean had a fun first day back at preschool this morning, after his week of spring vacation, and he also enjoyed his first T-Ball class this afternoon at one of our neighborhood parks. I am glad that life is able to remain pretty normal for him right now, despite what we are going through with his baby sister.

I hope this finds you and your loved ones in good spirits. Our next OB appt. is Thursday and I will report back afterwards, if not before.