Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Back in the Saddle

There's no time like the first day of a New Year to come out of blogging hibernation. If anyone is still checking this blog after my four month leave of absence, I thank you for your loyalty.

As probably most of you know, I was totally knocked off my feet and pretty much out of my life for a good three months by a grueling pregnancy. This is my fourth pregnancy but only my second experience with hyperemisis gravidarum, and let me tell you it is not fun. Only five lucky women in every thousand will experience this level of illness with a pregnancy...and every one of them will wonder if they are dying, (and/or feel like they would rather die than have to endure the relentless suffering of HG.)

At 23 weeks now, I am MUCH improved and almost back to a normal life. The nausea persists around the clock, but the throwing up has tapered off greatly and will hopefully stop altogether. It has been replaced by eating 24/7--as an attempt to abate the nausea (which never helps, but on I eat anyway.)

I feel so grateful to have made it through those very dark days, and I am indebted to friends and family who took over my life, making sure my kids were cared for, my family fed, and my house cleaned, etc. I am especially amazed by my husband who carried the family torch on his own without missing a beat--volunteering in the kids' classrooms, coaching and attending every one of their soccer games, getting all three kids ready and out of the house every morning by 7:45 and handling dinner, homework, showers, the bed time routine, and then dishes, laundry, etc. every night on his own while still making time to tend to my every need and take me for IV's and doctor appts as necessary. (Even when it meant leaving an out of town meeting abruptly to spend a day in the ER with a wife who could barely thank him for it.) He kept me in clean sheets and clean pajamas, ran to the store at a moment's notice to fulfill any food request I thought I could stomach, coordinated with my friends to make sure I had daytime help and visits, etc., and patiently endured the loneliness of this one man show for days, and then weeks, and then months...he is my best support and my biggest hero.

I was blessed to be able to enjoy the holidays, and enjoy them I did. It was hard on Brian and I to miss the HUGE festivities going on in Sri Lanka, where my brother got married on December 22nd. My dad and many of my siblings were fortunate to attend and had the experience of a lifetime. We knew the day we found out we were pregnant that Sri Lanka was no longer an option for us, and it was a true loss. But right now I have to focus on the small, daily triumphs of just being able to function again--and tolerate sights, sounds, smells, motion, touch, and even my own saliva--all of which for months were completely out of the question.

You can imagine this season was a time for my family and I to reflect on the very basics of what is most meaningful in life, and we have learned some hard but enduring lessons through our challenges.

That is a long enough entry for today, but I will be back often now.

Happy NEW YEAR to everyone, and thanks for caring enough to check in on our little corner of the world.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy to see you back in the saddle friend. I can't imagine what the past months have been like. You have been in my thoughts and prayers...a lot...for you and Brian. What a great husband you have there.

Here's to lots of time with your family, less nausea/vomiting, and a healthy boy in 08!

p.s. I will be in LA either in Feb or the beginning of March. I'll keep you posted!

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad to hear you're feeling better, Amy. I have been checking your blog almost daily hoping to hear this message. I'm so grateful that you have such an amazing man for your husband. I hope the rest of the pregnancy is much breezier!
Marianne

Shelby said...

Oh Amy, I am so so sorry about your "dark days." I thought I had it bad with Brooke's pregnancy-but I don't think it even compares to what you went through. Hopefully you'll have an adorable, healthy, happy baby who sleeps through the night and doesn't give you any grief. (even in the teen years!)

I was impressed you got Christmas cards out though!

Welcome back to blogging!

Ben and Shara said...

I'm glad you are feeling better. I've been dutifully checking your blog for some sort of notice. An update. I'm glad to have it. Your Christmas cards were fabulous. At the last minute I decided not to send mine out, so don't look in the mail for ours.

I'm excited to hear about Adams festivities. If you get pictures will you send them on.

Good luck in the coming weeks. I wish I could be there to help.
Sharalee

Amy Coontz said...

I was wondering what had happened to you. I am so glad you are feeling better.
Amy

Savannah Sombrita Del Mar said...

Alright, Ames! Nothing can keep you down. Thanks Brian for stepping up and taking care of my sister. we think about you guys constantly!!
Sri Lanka was amazing and you were missed, but there will plenty of adventures.
Love,
Dan, Sara, and Savannah

LollyGirl said...

Yeah for the blog update but most especially HOORAY that you've returned to humanity!! We're so glad that you're feeling up to living again and have high hopes for an uneventful remainder of your pregnancy!!

we also look forward to a christmas card??!!! hello. our "new years" card is on its way as I write.

Audra Bollard said...

yea! One of the most witty bloggers I know is back. And pregnancy/babies/kids in general make for all kinds of good blogging material, even if they're not necessarily fun to live through!

Mandee said...

Congratulations and I've missed you so much!

Mandee said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
sandeebeaches said...

It's so good to have you back. We thank Brian for being such a wonderful man. Darron will have to come down and they can do something manly, like drilling holes with power tools or something. We love you all.

heymaughan said...

Lolly somehow my email must not have gotten to you that was requesting your new address. I have it now, so my belated card can get to you, wrapping up the season for once and for all.

I also had several cards returned (including Coontz clan...so if anyone would like to email an updated address to me at heymaughan@gmail.com that would be great!)

The Titmi said...

It was truely amazing to watch Brian during that time. He looked like he was constantly running a marathon. I could tell by the look in his eyes in addition to how much he was doing how much he REALLY loves you! What a blessing. Man, I am crying right now just thinking about it. Is that weird to say??

It was hard to see you like that too but now that you are up and about and seemingly normal I keep forgeting you don't feel well. Let me know if you need any help!

Kirbell said...

Yay, Amy! I'm glad you're back on your feet and back to your blog!

Anonymous said...

Hi Amy,

I just saw this site. You have a beautiful. I hope you are doing great. I haven't seen any of your family in WOW, I guess about 17 years. Take care and say hello to all your family.

Judy Robinson Jerrell

Anonymous said...

I thought I wrote you have a beautiful family. I guess I was typing too fast for my thoughts. Anyway, your famiy is BEAUTIFUL....

I feel the same way you do too about my children. I have Nathaniel 14, Joshus 10, and Rachel 7. I consider them to be so BEAUTIFUL too!!

J J