This is a Yay Me post. If that bothers you, come back tomorrow to see if I’ve done something like flash the church parking lot or dropped my child on his head.
BlogHer is a community and media company created in partnership with women in social media. I’m kind of enamoured with it. I’m a women in social media! It’s a place for people of all different walks of life and experience to come together and share their stories. Continue reading
In 2000, Kasey Mathews had a daughter. Her world turned upside down. Because, if you couldn’t tell by the title, her daughter was premature.
Mathews gently welcomes you to her tale contained within this book’s pages by mentioning that she once longed for someone to sit on the edge of her bed, and share their story. But that woman never came. Continue reading
One month ago Muppets were off to the hearing clinic for preemie follow up. I was really hoping they didn’t put significant effort into fooling the audiologists with their ninja-like ability to ignore anything that doesn’t capture their interest. (I’m looking at you Search.)
The boys have been tested and monitored approximately every six months. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, about 5% of children born before 32 weeks have hearing loss by the time they are 5 years old. Because tiny babies do not yet have mature auditory systems. And their tiny ears are particularly vulnerable to damage.
So how’d the muppets do? Continue reading
In college I lived with four girls in an apartment. I was known for running into the living room hallway to tell my stories. It was my little spotlight.
We’ve since grown up and moved away from our little starter apartment. But I’m still telling stories. And today I’m using this blog as my spotlight.
To share the statistics.
Because we are the story behind them. Continue reading
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There has definitely been a general funk surrounding us all lately. Depression, crankiness, corporate intrigue…even The Bloggess noted we may all be on a similar cycle.
For me personally, part of my present struggle has to do with the rabbit hole of this time period – the blur that leads up to my inauguration as a preemie parent some two years ago.
It’s certainly been an adventure. Continue reading
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Fragile Beginnings: Discoveries and Triumphs in the Newborn ICU is not an easy read.
Told from the perspective of Dr. Adam Wolfberg, both a perinatologist and preemie dad, the pages are filled with emotional triggers to send me back to my own NICU experience. His daughter, Larissa, was born at 26 weeks when her mother suddenly went into labor. She then suffered a Grade IV brain bleed. (Larissa, not her mom.)
Interspersed throughout the story are thick science discussions about the complex world of saving tiny babies – sometimes to the point of pushing Larissa’s story to the periphery. What can be done for them? How far has tiny baby care come in just a few short years? What are the lasting effects of extreme efforts to save a child? And when is it too much; is palliative care sometimes kinder – a question not of “can it be done,” but “should it be done.” Continue reading
Two years ago today. I am normal! I’ve been released to general population!
Yeah. We saw how well that went. Two loops later around the sun on this roller coaster and I’ve realized I am normal.
I did not write this. Anonymous did.
I have two sons, born at 27 weeks – yet the rest is accurate in its entirety. This is the indoctrination into life as a preemie parent.
Thank you Miracle Babies, for sharing.
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“He always smiles like he’s got a secret,” Search’s teacher informed me.
Nobody knows it but you’ve got a secret smile
And you use it only for me
And with his wry little half-smirk, I have no doubt that he does. You see, Search and Destroy know the secret of life.
I have a confession; my own secret behind the smile. My idea for the name of this blog was originally A Stream Triple Threat. You see, there were initially three. Continue reading
A friend’s blog so aptly states Sometimes It’s Hard to Get Pregnant. “It’s hard to get pregnant. It’s hard to stay pregnant. And it’s hard to continue the journey.”
In college I was polka dotted. I visited approximately 732 dermatologists to figure out what was wrong with me. Finally, a doctor shared it wasn’t just an epidemiological stylistic body modification choice (although I do still bear the scars). It was an endocrine, autoimmune disorder. My body was attacking itself.
Goody. Continue reading
