In cleaning and organizing my documents folder on my computer, I came across this story that I put together back in FEBRUARY of this year. I didn't post it because it wasn't the right time. Many things happened and I forgot about it, then as providence would have it, I came across it. Perhaps soon I'll pick up where the story leaves off and give you "the rest of the story."
In early 2007 we found out we were pregnant for the first time. It was surprising and unexpected and unplanned. At our first sonogram appointment we found there was a blighted ovum. We were sad and disappointed, but picked up the pieces and moved on.
In the fall of 2007, the same thing happened again.
During the fall, Anne developed a lumpy, odd area of tissue on her left tricep. The first dermatologist said it was nothing to worry about and didn’t do anything. She went to get a second opinion, which led to her second dermatologist performing a biopsy of the tissue. It came back from the lab testing positive for lymphoma.
She ended up having a CT scan on December 24, of all days. CT scan in the morning, lead two worship services in the evening. A week later, on new years eve, she noticed that she hadn’t been feeling well for a couple days, so just out of curiosity, she took a pregnancy test…and found she was pregnant! It was so unexpected as we had not been trying at all, in fact, we had intended not to get pregnant.
Even before being diagnosed with lymphoma she had set an appointment with a fertility clinic, with the plan of not being pregnant, so they could work with us to determine the causes of the two failed pregnancies. It was at that clinic that we first saw our little one. Already 8 weeks along at that point, there he/she was with a strong heart rate of 171! It was a beautiful, awesome, God-filled moment, even with the three other people in the room with us.
In the last month or so, she’s seen so many doctors, constantly being referred out to people. The fertility doctor, an oncologist, her OB/GYN, an endocrinologist, another CT scan specifically of her thyroid, and most recently the high-risk pregnancy specialist clinic at Winnie Palmer Hospital. I accompanied her at the most recent appointment where we received a LONG lecture from a genetic counselor. He talked for probably an hour and a half and I still don’t know that I understand the bottom line of what he said. But after enduring and humoring him, we got to see another ultrasound of the jumping bean, doing well and appearing healthy as can be. And we even got to HEAR the heartbeat this time! It was an overwhelming and emotional experience. We’re both extremely grateful and thankful to God.
Ever since we first heard the lymphoma diagnosis we have had some people praying for us. We enlisted more after we found out we were pregnant and knew that we were entering into a journey of faith and a time of praying for the health of our baby. I truly believe God answers prayer. We practiced nothing different in this pregnancy as compared to the first two, yet this one has succeeded and our first child is growing inside Anne. The only difference this time is intentional prayer to God.
Note for clarification: There has been no reason or indication for pursuing the Lymphoma diagnosis any further. Whatever it was, is gone. And looking at Aidan, he's totally worth the waiting we went through. More to come, whether here or on my wife's blog.
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