So much gratitude

So as you all know by now, we welcomed our sweet baby girl, Alora into the world on June 20. I had a repeat C-section and everything went very smoothly, just as planned. We are so very blessed to have added another healthy, beautiful soul into our home. However, sometime later that day, I started developing a severe migraine. I assumed that this was just from a sudden change in hormones, as I get hormonal migraines quite frequently. Each day in the hospital my migraine got a little bit worse, instead of getting better. I had to ask friends and family to visit at a later time, as I was in dyer pain. (I'm sorry!) On the last day in the hospital, it was determined that I probably had a "spinal migraine" as a result of the spinal anethesia. It is when the needle goes too far into the spinal cavity and punctures a hole, thus causing spinal fluid to leak, which causes the migraine. There were 2 treatment options: 1-lay flat for 7-10 days until that hole heals, or 2-get another epidural and get a blood patch put over the hole. Seeing as it was already day 3 1/2, I figured I would wait it out. By day 10 post partum, I still had the migraine. So I made the trip back to the hospital to get the blood patch done. It helped some (but not completely) and I thought that I was finally able to function again. However, that was Monday, and by today, the migraine is back. So I think that either it wasn't a true spianl migraine in the first place, or it just didn't take. (there are some serious restrictions for 24 hours after the blood patch and the clot could easlily become dislodged).

So, my main point in writing all of this is because through all the pain of the last 12 days, I have also been extremely humbled, and full of gratitude. There has been such an outpouring of love, support, prayers and generosity from all of our friends and family. I am just so very grateful for all they have done. There have been so many selfless acts done on our behalf, I can not list them all, but I would like to say THANK YOU to everyone for being there for us. It would have been a much bigger struggle for us if we didn't have family & friends caring for Richie and Carter, for all the meals that have been brought in, for Rich being allowed to stay home, for the trips to the hospital & doctor appointments, and especially for all of the prayers that have been said in our behalf. It has really shown me what I already knew, which is that we truly have wonderful friends and family, and that even through our trials, the Lord will still bless us.