Checking in
Hi everyone! Just checking in to say hello.
I’m now half way done with a challenging pregnancy, which is both wonderful and also unnerving, considering I still have 4 1/2 months of challenge yet to face. The nausea of the first trimester subsided wonderfully at about the 3 month mark, but was replaced by a heart problem that handicapped me until we could do the many tests and appointments necessary to discover its remedy. I am on medication now to slow down an over-active heart. The risks of NOT taking this, to me and the baby, far surpass the risks of taking it, so…pills I will take.
Our mid-pregnancy ultrasound also revealed what looks like the development of something called placenta accreta, which means the placenta may have imbedded too deeply into the wall of my uterus. If this is the case, it is very likely that the uterus will have to be removed at delivery, in order to avoid life-threatening bleeding that could happen if the placenta and uterus are attempted to be separated. We go back in a couple of months for another ultrasound to determine whether this condition continues to be present, and if it does, to more concretely plan for what we’ll do about it.
So…I have been a little preoccupied lately.
In between sleep and doctor’s appointments and novel-writing and trying to keep up with a lively toddler, I’ve enjoyed a few books that I’d love to tell you about sometime soon. Paulo Coelho’s Veronika Decides to Die (an exploration of sanity and insanity) and his Eleven Minutes (an exploration of love and sex) are two of them. I’m mid-way through Reza Aslan’s No god but God: the origins, evolution and future of Islam as well, which has been a wonderful read for this mostly Islam-ignorant girl. I’m amazed and intrigued by the similarities between Islam and Christianity, or more specifically, between the people who identify with these traditions. Humans look and act like humans no matter what, I think.
But that’s for another review…
Mainly just saying hello. Hope you’re all enjoying a summer rich with the things you love!
July 5th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
hello, Kristin!
While surfing in the net I discovered your profile and I also love the work of Paulo Coelho!!!! Do you know that he is launching his new book, The Witch of Portobello, through his blog
http://www.paulocoelhoblog.com?
I found it out because i’m inscibed to his newsletter http://www.warriorofthelight.com/engl/index.html
it’s simply wonderful!
have a nice day!
July 6th, 2007 at 5:30 am
Wow. I will be holding you in the light as this pregnancy continues. I’m so glad you’re still able to mother and to read.
July 9th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
Oh, oh, oh. After my own difficult (and successful) pregnancies, this touches my heart deeply. I too will hold you in the Light. If there is anything I can do, from not so far away, let me know. My five year old loves toddlers.
July 12th, 2007 at 8:33 pm
Kristin, it is good to read your words again. Thanks for the book ideas. But thanks most of all for the update on what is going on in your life. You and your growing baby will be in my prayers in the coming weeks and months. May you find peace and courage and comfort in the arms of those you know and love. May the creating - literary and prenatal - continue without any undue stress or strain. Be well, dear Kristin, be well. Bye for now, Gail
July 14th, 2007 at 9:50 pm
oh, that is so much to hold right now! much love to you and your sweet family, dear friend. i’m hopeful that each day will bring more health and peace to this pregnancy until the doctors declare it decidedly ordinary and unworthy of special concerns. you’ve been on my mind–so glad for this update!
July 15th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
thanks for checking in with us — good to know how you & the family are doing. so very, very healthy of you to be feeding your mind right now as much as your body! praying you will indeed have a peaceful and healthy rest-of-pregnancy and make wise decisions.
July 17th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
praying here, thank you for the update!
July 31st, 2007 at 6:41 am
Kristin, I am more than half way through Eleven Minutes. What an intense book. Beautifully written - as all of Coelho’s books are.
I never thought I’d say that I see myself in a prostitute, but in this case, I think I do. When will you lead a discussion on this book and the issues it raises? Not that you don’t have enough going on in your life at the moment. But I’d love to hear what you thought of the book and of Maria. We could do this in private if you prefer…
You remain in my thoughts and prayers.
Gail
August 1st, 2007 at 9:07 pm
Thank you everyone for your kindness! Thankfully, I have entered into a much more peaceful season of this pregnancy. The heart medication is working magic with my energy levels, so I’m doing almost normal levels of activity again. I have an appointment on August 31 to see whether the placenta issue is indeed present, and until then, I’m instructed by my OB not to worry about it. For some reason I’m not worrying like I was there for a while. Things are looking up! Prayers and well wishes are and have been gratefully recieved!
Gail, I wish I could say I have time and brain space right now to engage such a discussion! I’m working toward an August 31 deadline with my book (not to have the whole thing completed, but to have a revised detailed outline ready to send my readers), so all my spare moments and brain cells are getting poured into that. I’m so glad to hear of another person reading Eleven Minutes, though. If you initiate discussion of it on your blog, please let me know and I will enjoy reading along and commenting as I can. I really wanted to post reviews of the three books I mentioned in this post - that was totally my intention - but my hours for such things just don’t exist right now.
Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers. I’m looking forward to entering a season where my curiosity on so many subjects can have more space to play.
August 2nd, 2007 at 8:06 am
Glad to hear that things are going better with your pregnancy, your energy levels, and your emotions as well. Enjoy the rest of your baby-making days.
All the best with the writing deadline. I understand the inability to engage in a book discussion at this point. I’ll let you know if I have one.
Be well. Be at peace.
Gail