Our story...Our survival..: May 2009

Our Journey.....

January 2001, it was a cold, blistery, icy day in Oklahoma City, the day my future husband asked me to be his girl!!! March 31, 2006 was our wedding day.. We had decided that since we'd already been together for 5 years that we would immediately start trying for a baby. So in April that's what we did.. It took us 3 months and in July we were looking at a positive pregnancy test.. It was the 5th of July.. I remember thinking the 4th that I had to of been pregnant, as the beer just tasted horrible and I was wanting to sleep.. That pregnancy was not the easiest.. We started bleeding from the beginning, it was diagnosed a subchorionic hemorrhage.. It was a huge blood clot between the uterus and placenta.. Well fast forward to 12 weeks after getting off bed rest and having no more bleeding.. We had an ultrasound to find that our precious baby had passed on 3 weeks before.. I had what they called a missed abortion (you won't see me use this term as I HATE it..) So I had to schedule a d n c for the next day.. That morning around 4 am I woke up to severe pains and bleeding only to find out that my body had finally realized that it was miscarrying, so we got bumped up a few hours to do the d n c.. Our dr. sent the 'remains' off to the lab for genetic testing and he called a few weeks later to tell me that our baby was a healthy baby boy.. We named him Xavier Ahren. He was 9 weeks 5 days and our d n c was on 9/19/06.. We were told we could try after our first cycle, so we did, we got pregnant 4 months later, we were excited, yet nervous.. There was no bleeding and our number's were progressing well. Well at 5 weeks we had an u/s.. Nothing but a sac. We were told to come back 2 weeks later, at 7 weeks we went back and still there was only a sac, but a second sac was visible now too..The dr. thought he had seen a second sac at 5 weeks but we didn't think nothing of it.. We were told to come back in a week.. We went back at 8 weeks 3 days, still only a sac, that was starting to shrink, and the second sac completely gone.. We were diagnosed with a blighted ovum and decided to do a d n c right then instead of waiting.. We were devastated, again....We call this baby (well what should have been a baby) February, we needed closure.. well I needed closure) 4 months later, June 27, 2007 could it be? Yes it is, a big fat positive, I couldn't believe it, whoo-hoo we were pregnant again.. I was nervous as all get out, could barely stand myself I was so nervous. We had slight spotting at 5 weeks and went to the ER, only to be told we had a slight subchorionic hemorrhage, you can about guess my nerves shot straight through the roof, great here we go again.... I prepared myself to lose this baby too, but wait, it's 12 weeks and we're still pregnant, and there's a heartbeat?!?! Wow, 19 weeks and it's a BOY?!?! Is this for real? Is this really happening? We're going to be parents for real this time? Little did we know what God had in store for us....... January 21, 2008, Martin Luther King day, Monday, and the beginning of our 33rd week.. Everything started out great, Our little boy had woke me up at 5 am having a little kick-boxing tournament, this was the VERY FIRST time this had ever happened. I went about my morning, got on the computer, was fixing to start chatting with some girlfriends of mine, when I got the most oddest, most painful cramp I've ever gotten.. In all honesty I thought I had to go to the bathroom.. So I finished typing out what I had to say, and headed to the bathroom, the only thing was the pain was overwhelming, I was literally on my tip-toes.. (if I knew then what I know now, I would have just started pushing right then.... :( ) I sat down and hear a pop, gush....My first thought was Oh shit, my water just broke, I'm only 33 weeks, and we still have 7 weeks to go, ok, we can deal with NICU.. But then I look down.. The image I seen will forever haunt me, blood, and lots of it, I've never in all of my life seen so much blood as I did this day.. From here everything went down hill and FAST!! I stood up, grabbed some tissue and put it between my legs and ran to the living room, grabbed the phone, and called my husband, I was so scared, and deep inside, I knew he was gone...But I get a hold of him.. We talk he leaves work.. Well not thinking of the holiday it was I called my dr's office, no answer, I'm starting to feel faint and light headed, so I lay down on the floor, I called the ER and told them what was going on, all they could say is "why are you calling the er?" I just hung up.. Aaron called and was on the phone with 911 when he walked in the house.. He helped me to the living room couch where I laid down and was in so much pain, more pain than I ever imagined possible.. The paramedics showed up. finally.. Well apparently I got the pick of the day, 2 of the most ignorant, most hateful, degrading, pieces of crap people to come help us.. One was a rookie, and the other was a jerk.. The jerk asked me if I was pregnant? Duh, I'm 8 months freaking pregnant!! I'm huge!! He then says "Are you bleeding?" My reply was yes, his was well you miscarried......WHAT?!?! You're seriously going to tell a freaking 8 month pregnant woman that she just miscarried.. I already hated the idiot.. He then asks me if I can get up on my own and move to the gurney, sure I say, and as I do I throw up, he then thrust this bag in my face and say's "throw up in here not in my bus, I just cleaned it" they then proceed to wheel me out of my house, with no blanket on, just panties and a t-shirt.. I asked for my own blanket. Then they wheel me over the stepping stones instead of picking me up and carrying me, this hurt like you wouldn't believe the pain is still very vivid in my mind.. We'd already told them 2 times they've asked what hospital we were going to, twice, Women's and children's.. they get me in the ambulance, and pull out.. They didn't give me oxygen or anything except an iv. of saline.. I keep feeling the need to pass out, and gushes of blood coming out of me.. I told him that I felt like I was going to pass out, and he said there was nothing he could do, I was already laying down. So about this time I look out the window wondering why it's taking so long to get to my hospital, the idiots took me to the wrong hospital... . I keep feeling the need to close my eyes...just go to sleep.. Well they FINALLY get me to Women's and Children's, and upstairs to Labor and Delivery, where I coded, on the spot.. I remember the nurse checking me, and her saying that I was dialated 2 cm, and trying to find Tristan's heartbeat, it wasn't there.. I remember looking to Aaron and saying he's gone honey, my baby's gone, and Aaron, and the nurse both saying no he's probably hiding.. then I vaguely remember hearing Aaron say her eyes are rolling and the nurse saying Oh shit (as she hits the wall) and saying I need help in here.. (Later found out she called a code blue on me).. The next memories are in and out, and still comes back in flashes.. I remember waking in this room, very cold, and 2 people above my head, one woman on man, and I hear them saying we need to intibuate and start cpr, where is everyone at? I remember my dr. Dr. H standing next to me saying "Hi Shannon, it's me Dr. H and there's no fetal heart activity we need to operate immediately to find out where the bleed is before we lose you.. Then I felt him cut me, and everything went black.. The next thing I remember is waking up in the recovery room, looking up and seeing Aaron's face, and knowing that something was VERY wrong.. Then our social worker, Ms. Mary asked me if I would like to hold our son.....This was the first time I seen my little boy, he was gone, lifeless, but the most amazing creature I've ever seen, the most beautiful little boy.. Beings that I had a c section I had to stay in the hospital for a few days.. We were released, on Jan. 24, 2008 and it was hard leaving that hospital with only plants and a memory box full of Tristan's belongings, yet leaving him there.. This blog is full of the last 2 years and the years of battling infertility, and our journey to parent hood, if it's meant to be..

Thursday, May 21, 2009

16 months

Hi Tristan buddy, it's been 16 months since you've been gone. You're missed daily and hourly sweet boy!! Your daddy and I love you so much. It's been a very long 16 months, but then some day's it seems like only yesterday. Mommy still at times gets phantom kicks ( I think it's more gas than anything, but boy does it feel like you used to). We're not the same, we're totally different, but we're more appreciative now, of life, of love, and of God.. We both believe that God brought you to us for only a short time, if only to bring us closer to Him, you've done amazing work in your daddy's and I life sweet angel. I won't lie, life would be much much brighter with you in it, but we know and believe that God has greater work for you! And maybe even greater work for daddy and I. We now see the light differently as we see the dark differently. I talk to you a lot, I wonder if you hear me. I do wonder what life would be like with you here, what you would be like. Would you look like your daddy still? Would you be talking up a storm? Would you be running? I often wonder what you would do or be like.. What foods would you like or dislike.. Would you have your daddy's unruly hair? Or my straight as a board fly away hair? Would you be a lefty or righty? What size clothes and shoes would you be wearing? Would you be a daddy's boy, or momma's boy? So many unanswered questions, and idea's... I miss you so very much... You should see your ficus tree, it's getting so big.. So is your brother's and yours peace lily.... It's sad you know, all I have left of you boys are plants, and memories.. But I would rather have the memories than nothing at all my sweet angel!! The memories of you keep me alive and keep my spirit alive!! You were the most special gift I could have ever wanted, and you will always be mommies special little man!!
Daddy and I miss you so much, and love you even more Tristan Alexander Goodwin!!
Loving you always
Mommy and Daddy!!
Happy 16 months sweet angel, continue to fly on the wings of dragonflies...

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Psalm 13...A psalm of David 1-6

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?

Look on me and answer, O Lord my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;
My enemy will say, "I have overcome him,"
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me...

This says a lot, a lot of how I feel, and a lot of my love for Christ..

Trying to let go.....

So many thoughts are running through my mind right now.. We're coming up on 16 months since we lost our Tristan, I still find myself searching for him in my dreams, yearning for him in my daily routine, and just plain missing him like crazy. There are no words to describe the way that I've felt these last 16 months. I've been beyond sad, mad, angry and I'm starting to feel bitter.. I just don't for the life of me understand life sometimes. I know that it's in God's plan, and I do have to say, lately my faith is really being tested..

I truly believe that everything I mean everything happens for a reason, and we might not know that reason, but God knows. God has our definite plan all mapped out already, before we're even born. But I am only human who is not the best Christian, but I certainly try. I am a baby when it comes to my Christianity, and I want to learn more, and seek his guidance. I just don't know what I might be doing wrong. I know there is a greater plan, I just sometimes wish He would let me in on it.. I know that we should not worry, Matthew 6:25-34 states this..
Matthew 6:27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
honestly? noone can, but I believe worrying can take an hour away, it's taken several of my hours with it, and still I've come up with no answers.

I'm worried, because I don't know how we will ever have a family. We don't have a nest egg, savings, or anything of the like. And I've found out (even though I don't have the full info yet) that our ins. will not be covering any of the further tests that I will need. I have to let go of my worry..
Matthew 6:33-34 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
There is always tomorrow, and always next month.. I guess it's time to be honest with myself, I worry about everything, from money to my fertility. I have no idea what's wrong with me. I'm completely broken, (emotionally anyway). I just want a family, yet I feel so small in the grand scheme of things. I guess a family should really be the last thing on our minds with the way the economy is going. But I just can't let go of my dreams, I really don't think God would want me to, but maybe he does want us to chill?!

Right now I am reading a couple of things, 'The Shack' by William P. Young, it's a book about tragedy confronting eternity, although it's fiction, I've heard great things about it being a wonderful spiritual journey.. I am also reading 1 Samuel in the Bible, the story about Hannah, I have no excuse, but I haven't started it yet, but from what Pastor Tommy was telling us Sunday, it's a beautiful blessing of a woman being blessed. You know reading this, I am reminded of my feelings for Tristan, 1 Samuel 27-28 I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord. And he worshiped the Lord there. I did pray for Tristan, from way before conception til God called him home and even afterward. I will never stop praying for Tristan, or my other children, who are in heaven as well.

I'm not sad like I once was 16 months ago, now I'm getting angry, and mainly I'm angry at myself, why did my body want to fail on us? Doesn't my husband deserve better?! I pray nightly and daily for God to bless us with a baby. Maybe I'm praying wrong, or is the unthinkable happening? Has God turned away from me, have I sinned to much? I can't believe this, I believe our God is a forgiving and loving God, and I know that he's cradling my sons right now, and he's leading me and Aaron and he's asking us to trust in him. I have to let this go, but how? I have to relinquish control, but again don't know how.... I feel like there is something wrong and I can not pinpoint it... Thank you for reading, and understanding my pain, or at least just considering my pain, and holding us up in your prayers....

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Here we go again......

Af is here, yet again, and the screwed up part about it? EVERYTHING was perfect!! Our bd schedule was perfect, my temps were perfect, everything was perfect, and another month, with no hope... Well I take that back it's not like there's completely no hope I guess I have some kind of hope since I have an appointment with the RE... Yeah but get this...AUGUST 6TH.. How will I ever make it? Guess I really have no choice, but hey hopefully we'll get some answers.. I just pray that this is fixable, whatever it is.. I just don't think that I can honest to God handle if the dr. tells me, We're sorry Mr. and Mrs. G. but there is absolutely no hope.... I don't want to hear those words. I truly believe they will send me over the edge. Hell I feel like I'm already tetering on the edge. I just can't understand or even wrap my mind around it. We've never had any issues getting pregnant, and now? Now it's been almost 13 months of ttc, and nothing.. I just feel like a complete failure as a woman. I just want to be a mother. Well I know that I'm a mother, but I want more, I want to be a mother to living children. Is that really too much to ask?! Have I been that horrible of a person that God doesn't see me fit? I'm working on myself in so many ways, I'm losing weight, eating healthy, been smoke free now for 13 months, and am so happily in love with my husband.. No my house isn't clean, laundry's piling up on the floor, what was supposed to have been Tristan's room is now a storage unit with a tiny walk way. My yard is full of leaves, there's cat food on the floor and dishes in the sink, is this why? I mean it can't be right? I know many slobs (related to a few) that have pig styes of a home and still have living children. Hell there are freaking crack heads that have more children than I've been pregnant, and the sad thing is they have custody of them. I'm not a druggie, I have a stable home, we have running water, electricity, cars, everything we need to make sure our child has a loving and stable enviroment to grow in. I want to teach my child, to love my child, to raise my child. I want to teach my child about their brother, I want to teach my child about Christ, and all that He has done for us. I want to teach my child how to say their abc's. I want to teach my child how to speak, write, ride a bike. Right now the way I see it, I will never be able to do this, ever.........