Here goes...
It's hard to understand why things turn out the way they do. One minute, I am excited (and a little overwhelmed) to be packing for a three day adventure with most all the fourth and fifth grade students of Peeler Elementary (and the lovely ladies I work with) to Camp Greenville. The next, I am impatiently waiting on Michael to come pick me up and take me home early from what he called "the back woods" of the North Carolina mountains.
The night before, I was taken to the hospital around 11:00 p.m because of pregnancy complications. The closest hospital reminded me something of the Appalachian ER from old episodes of Saturday Night Live. (Google it... this puts a little humor to my story.) It was 12:15 a.m. when I finally went back to see a "board certified" medical doctor. At the time, I knew the only sure way of knowing everything was ok was to have an ultrasound preformed. It doesn't take a medical doctor to figure that one out, right? Anyway, to my surprise the ultrasound technicians left the hospital at 12:00 a.m. (Time out... remember, I was at the hospital around 11. They didn't see me until 12:15. They knew why I was there. You can understand my emotions that were brewing inside, I'm sure.) So, after several attempts to poke and prod (and get as much money out of me as they can) I left the hospital around 2:15 a.m. with no news expect for a print out for information on a "threatened miscarriage." The doctor felt it would be "helpful" for me to understand what I was going through...
It's also funny how things work out. The next day, Michael came to pick me up and take me to my OB doctor in Greensboro. We rushed to make it to our 4:30 appointment, arriving somewhere around 4:50. Luckily the staff was waiting on us to get there; they knew where we were coming from and our reasons for coming. It took maybe one minute for the ultrasound to take a look, only to tell us, "it doesn't look good." Luckily, Michael was right by my side to hear the news we had been hoping to not hear the whole time. (Now if this news would have come from the "Appalachian ER," you can imagine how much worse my story would be at this point.) We later learned that the baby stopped growing around seven and a half weeks. I was ten and a half weeks at this point. Dr. Taavon, my OB, gave us several options for handling this horrific news, and after much prayer we decided to proceed with the surgical route.
Friday morning, I went to The Women's Hospital and had my surgery. I couldn't have asked for better care. Everyone was so nice and organized and educated. I can't say enough good things about the certified staff who took care of me in my home town. This is just another reason to add to my list of things I love about living in this area of North Carolina.
1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful;
he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are
tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." In Greek, the meaning of temptation can mean "tempted to sin," "time of trial," and "time of testing." I think that experiencing this time of trial has only pulled me closer to my faith. It's the only way I can understand it. And, God has provided a way out so that I can stand up under this situation. I'm not completely out, but he is helping me get there.
Michael has been my rock. He takes care of me in every possible way. I couldn't ask for a better husband and friend. My mother has been a wonderful supporter, too. She went through a similar situation before she became pregnant with me, so she has been able to help me understand the emotions I have felt. She also watched Camdyn for me while I was in surgery, cleaned my house, washed all my clothes (and if you know me, I struggle to keep up with laundry), and cooked me one of my favorite comfort meals. Camdyn has been sweet. She died me two Easter eggs and gave them to me so I would feel better. My aunt and cousin came to see me and brought me flowers. My best friend came by to visit. My mother and father-in-law came to help. Many others called to see how I was holding up. You see, this is how God is providing me a way out of my time of trial. He has given me wonderful family and friends who have showed their love and support during this difficult time. And, I'm certain he will continue to shower his blessings over my family so that we can overcome this experience.
