We considered ourselves the luckiest.
In 2008 our daughter Angelina was born. The light of our life, after a battle with infertility, heartbreak of multiple miscarriages and the product of assisted reproductive technology. This journey helped create long lasting online friendships and an appreciation of the human body and modern medicine.
We considered ourselves the luckiest.
When our daughter was 8 months old something crazy happened - I got pregnant on my own. (well, not totally on my own - my husband played a part!) You can imagine our surprise when we found that not only was I pregnant, but there were 2 babies in there. The Doctor said "There's one, and there's the other one." I said, "The other one what? The other one of what?" I didn't get it. Then I asked if it had 2 heads - I didn't quite understand what he was getting at. My husband did, and he giggled nervously.
About 8 months later at 35 weeks and a few days, our identical twin sons Andrew & Garrett were born. A VBAC, which seemed to be a big deal to the staff at the hospital. I didn't care how they got here, I was just glad that they arrived safely and after a 2 week NICU stay we brought them home.
We considered ourselves the luckiest.
I decided to start this blog because last week our son Garrett was given a provisional diagnosis of autism. So much of my strength and knowledge during infertility was bred from online support and people's willingness to put themselves out there. I'm hoping that by sharing this journey I'll help others who are going through this.
Maybe we can all help each other.
We are very hopeful about Garrett's outcome. The staff at Yale who evaluated him feel that he has a bright future. With a loving family behind him, he'll be the best Garrett he can be. My kids will all be the best they can be. They are happy, smiley kids, with parents who will fight for them, no matter what comes their way.
We consider ourselves the luckiest.
I'm so glad you are blogging! You family is wonderful. You ARE the luckiest. An autism diagnosis doesn't change that. <3
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're blogging too. I look forward to following you on this journey. Many prayers.
ReplyDeleteDitto Angela. Beautiful family!
ReplyDeleteI'm here if you want to talk or delve into biomedical. You know I got that covered.
ReplyDeleteLump in throat. You know how much I share the history of which you write... I sent you this - http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/autism-in-real-life/201108/5-reasons-why-autism-moms-rock and one line in particular... "these moms don't need to be told to slow down and appreciate things. They live autism and should they ever forget not to take things for granted, they get daily lessons from their children."
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