My husband left for a mission trip to Haiti the day after my latest D&E. It was already planned for him to go so I made the decision for him to still plan on going. He was gone only a week, but still. I needed him. I needed someone and I was left alone. I was left alone with my thoughts, my doubts, my questions, my fears, my pain (physically and emotionally), all of it. It was much tougher than I thought and I really had nobody. Yes. A few friends did make plans for lunch or they sent me a text or two, but I was alone with those dangerous thoughts. I'm not sure how they didn't drive me crazy.
While he was gone, the moment after I shared with a friend about our loss, she announced that she was pregnant and complained about it. Talk about a slap across the face, especially since she knows my pain and has gone through it before herself. Something else to add to my pain.*
Then another old friend announced she was pregnant on Facebook. Congrats! Really! But do you have to complain every status update about the tiredness and nausea? I would die for it. I wish I was still tired and nauseated due to a baby like I was until days after the surgery.
And this morning. A friend (who may or may not read this. I'm not sure.) posted a somewhat cryptic Facebook status about being at the dr. That plus her incessant Pinterest postings on a board labeled 'baby #2' led me to ask her in a message if she was pregnant. Yup. She is. And I'm so thankful that she just said she was shocked, instead of adding the whole 'we weren't even trying' part I know was there. I even told her that. She knows. She understands.
All of the recent announcements have put me in a dark place mentally. It has me wondering if I did something wrong. Why can't I have another healthy pregnancy? Am I just being greedy because I DO have Selah? Should I just be happy with what I have and just get over what I have lost? I've lost four babies (that I know of). That's four too many. And how many more will I lose before I get it through my mind? Should I just give up?
Ugh. I just can't handle anymore pregnancy announcements right now. It's to the point of not RSVPing to a birthday party for a good friend because I'm afraid of another announcement in person, in my face, though I really don't have a reason to think that. Just my fears.
Speaking of fears, I need to get over the one I have of leaving Selah with a babysitter. I figured out why I have it. I've lost so many babies so far that I'm afraid that if Selah is left with someone who is not me or my husband or someone who loves us and Selah to the moon and back (that's you, mom) that she will be lost as well. I just couldn't handle that. When someone tries to help me by taking her off my hands for a moments by even walking in a different room with her, I have trouble. We did leave her with family while we were in Texas a few months ago briefly to run an errand and my stomach was in my throat the whole time. Never have we been somewhere for fun and relaxation together since she was born. We haven't been on a date, just the two of us, in a year and a half. We need to. I need to get over my fear. I'm working on it. I promise.
Thanks for letting me get stuff off my chest. I've been working through issues within my own head for the past month and I need to voice them even without response. By writing them down, I can start to work them out. Hopefully.
*Don't get me wrong. I am happy and excited for them. Every baby is a miracle. Every baby deserves to be wanted and to be celebrated. Some of my responses are my way of protecting myself.
<3 <3 <3 All very valid, very intense feelings. You are a wonderful person, a wonderful mom and a wonderful friend. I wish I could've hopped in a plane and kept you company. I'm so sorry for your continued pain and struggle <3 <3 <3
ReplyDeleteOh Beth. I wish I could help in some way. I know we don't know each other well, but I'm glad for honest and open posts like this that help me get to know you better.
ReplyDeleteI promise no more pregnancy announcements from me I am through. I was kinda hoping Tim would find a beautiful baby in Haiti that you guys would love to adopt. Only, because I hoped it would fill the void of more children and ease the pain. I wonder if there is a grief group around you guys that you could go to. It is so important to be able to share your thoughts and feelings with other women that understand. That is what CR does for me.
ReplyDeleteOh honey boo boo....first I just wanna say I love you!!! 2nd I wanna day I love u more and 3rd but not least im so sorry for being so sorry and wrapped up w/ my own #babymamadailylifedrama to not know these things were happening as often as they were!!! I will wprk on that....I promise!!!! Onto other things...I dont know the pain in "losing" an inborn child in that way and I can only imagine the hurt you continue to go through on a daily basis for their lost souls!! Selah is beyond anything but perfect amd I know when tje time is right(shitty thing people say when they dont know what to say) there will be another one to keep your arms full and your beautiful heart even more full!!!! Please know that Iam here anytime you need anything...besides money, that only happens once a year at tax return time ;)...so please dont hesitate to call/text/fly/drive ♥♡♥♡♥
ReplyDeleteOh honey boo boo....first I just wanna say I love you!!! 2nd I wanna day I love u more and 3rd but not least im so sorry for being so sorry and wrapped up w/ my own #babymamadailylifedrama to not know these things were happening as often as they were!!! I will wprk on that....I promise!!!! Onto other things...I dont know the pain in "losing" an inborn child in that way and I can only imagine the hurt you continue to go through on a daily basis for their lost souls!! Selah is beyond anything but perfect amd I know when tje time is right(shitty thing people say when they dont know what to say) there will be another one to keep your arms full and your beautiful heart even more full!!!! Please know that Iam here anytime you need anything...besides money, that only happens once a year at tax return time ;)...so please dont hesitate to call/text/fly/drive ♥♡♥♡♥
ReplyDelete