8.27.2009

Sad news and miracles


Last Thursday I went to my ultrasound and found out that I would be having a miscarriage. They couldn't find a heartbeat and the baby was measuring 8 weeks instead of 11. It was a hard day. A lot has happened the past few weeks. BJ was laid off from work only a week and 1/2 before. Our kitchen has been in remodel mode for weeks with all the contents of our cabinets and drawers on the floor and tables...waiting day after day only to have another no-show to finish the staining! It was a lot...and I cried ... and cried.
I've learned a lot throughout these past few weeks. We all have trials, no one is exempt, no matter if you're trying your hardest to do the right things. It just happens and it's how you get through the trials that determines how you learn. If it strengthens you or not.
I have to share what has happened since this time. Going back to the day we found out about the baby. At the Dr.'s office, right after we heard the news BJ's phone rang, he didn't take the call then but when we got home he called back to hear that he was being scheduled for an interview the following morning. He was offered the job that afternoon. It's a 6 month contract with not too far of a commute. The salary is close to what he made before and we feel very blessed. He'll start around Labor Day if not a little sooner. So, with such sad news one day, the next day such wonderful news.
Because I was out of the danger zone (no longer pregnant) BJ and I just finished staining the kitchen and all weekend I cleaned out cabinets and organized. It's all back together and it looks fabulous. It's amazing how therapeutic it was to put away and organize and clean. It was hard living without the kitchen! I posted some pictures showing what we've done so far. We are very close. We ran out of stain for one last section in the back and want to put on knobs and hopefully will be all done this week.
So, yesterday I actually had the D&C and have had an easy recovery. What I had was a "missed miscarriage". My body didn't realize that the baby had died and so was continuing on as if I were pregnant. So I had three options... wait for my body to spontaneously miscarry (which sometimes wouldn't happen for weeks to months--they only would have allowed another month to continue), medication to cause severe cramping and bleeding to bring about the miscarriage or the D&C (Dilation and Curettage, an outpatient surgery). I opted for the D&C. I didn't want to just wait around and wonder when the miscarriage would happen. The medication would be extremely painful and the chance of having to do a D&C anyways if something was left behind is always a possibility. I was nervous but also at peace with the decision. The surgery was quick and today I already feel almost back to normal. Not much pain at all.

These past two weeks have been one of the hardest times of my life but also such a blessing. I knew BJ would find a job, but just didn't know the timing. I knew the miscarriage was natures way, God's way, of saying, let's try that again, things just weren't quite right, but it was still very hard. I know even more now, without a doubt, that Heavenly Father loves me, loves my family and loves all of us. He knows of our trials. He wants to bless us. He sent His love through many angels, my friends and family. From the beginning I felt such support, love and friendship. I have had many calls, beautiful flowers, yummy treats, hugs, talks and notes. I had two of my sweet friends show up and kick BJ and I out the door on a date while they watched the kids and cleaned my house. I had dinner brought in to us yesterday from sweet friends in my ward. On Sunday a friend who does my hair came up to me with a hug and said that she wanted to do my hair for me free of charge. Seriously! I have felt such an outpouring of love. I am overwhelmed and emotional just thinking back to these past few days and all that has happened and all of the people who have cared and checked in on me and served me and my family. I am just so grateful that Heavenly Father has blessed me to have these sweet people in my life.
I am feeling pretty good, my emotions are still kind of close to the surface, but I'm good. I feel blessed to have 4 healthy, great kids that I have to squeeze and love and a sweet husband who works so hard, is so postive and takes care of me. We'll try it again in a few months for that number 5 to join our family. In the mean time I want to focus on being healthy and enjoy my husband still being home for a little while longer (what a blessing that has been to have him home to be with me during this miscarriage and caring for me after the procedure). And...I'm going to enjoy this kitchen...here are the pictures. I love you all. Miracles do happen...even in the hardest times. I truly believe we are here to help eachother through life, we can be bring the little miracles to others through our love and service. That is what has happened to us.


Kitchen before ( our sample granite slab is sitting on the counter)


Another view

The new kitchen...granite, stained cabinets dark, new sink, faucet. I want to find a fun rug...



Another view. New range hood, wider bar. I love it...it's almost done. A lot of work but worth it.



I love how my older black oven just melts into the cabinets and how I can't see the crumbs!

21 comments:

Angel said...

Oh Megan -- know that I love you and I am here for you!!!

heidikins said...

I love you--you and your family are in my prayers constantly.

And yes, your kitchen looks fab.

xox

Natalie Duerden said...

I love the pictures! The dark color of the cabinets looks so classy.
Sure love you Meg...Nat

Melissa said...

Megan, I know how you feel. I had the exact same thing happen to me while we were living there. As you may recall, I was pregnant before we moved but was informed I would have a miscarriage. I waited for my body to just do it instead of taking the medication, but I had bad cramping and horrible bleeding, and then a month later, it started all over because my body hadn't finished the job. (That's when Angel and Roy stepped in and saved me). I had a D&C. Then the same thing happened to me as you (no heartbeat) and I opted to take the medicine. The results were very mild compared to what I had experienced before. But it's still so hard to lose a baby. It's amazing how many of us have, but we can all help each other through the difficult times. I hope you are feeling better soon. I will be thinking of you!

Jess and Tim Newcomb said...

Meg I love your kitchen!! It is awesome! I love you so much! you are so positive and I admire your strength. I wish I could see you in person and give you a huge hug!

Tara said...

Loved your post. It was so honest and sincere. You have truly turned your trials into a spiritual experience and amongst it all recognized your blessings. You are such a woman of faith! I love and admire you!!! Tara

calmrapids said...

I am so sorry about your loss!

What a blessing to have such great support from family and friends! You are blessed.
Love ya,

calmrapids said...

One more comment--LOVE you kitchen!

pinksuedeshoe said...

Love you and your fam. I am so glad that BJ could be home with you right now. And hello, that kitchen is fantastic! If you get knobs on those beautiful doors, post some more pictures!

Ryan said...

Megan, that was a great post. You have a such a great support of friends and family, and we love you guys.

The Kitchen. Looks. Amazing!

Ms. Bananie said...

Oh, how I love you! While this is just not a fun situation to deal with, these are the moments in our lives that help shape our testimonies even when we didn't think we needed it! How wonderful you are to already see the miracles around you. I want to be like you some day! You are so in tune!
And...so chic! HeLLO awesome kitchen! I'm sure there were a lot of sore muscles staining those cabinets, but your kitchen is SO gorgeous.

Alexis Mayo said...

Megan,
Just wanted to say thank you for sharing your story- I too had a miscarriage (actually 3) but the last one sounds exactly like what you experienced. Without going into too much detail--- went to the 12 week appt. and couldn't hear anything..measuring only 7 weeks and body just didn't realize what was going on so I did the D&C the next morning. Ended up being a very spiritual experience for me and I ended up having my daughter 1year later to the day--- Miracles happen!!

Unknown said...

I look up to you in so many ways. I'm here if you need anything at all.

Unknown said...

You are an amazing person and I love you so much. What a terrible thing to go through. It is amazing how Heavenly Father watches out for us though!

Your kitchen looks great. What did you use on it? Did you do a glaze stain or did you entirely strip and re-stain them? I am curious because one of these days... our kitchen... :)

MoDLin said...

Megan, thank you for sharing your story with us. I'm sorry for your loss. Your strength is obvious and the support of your family and friends is such a blessing.

BTW, your kitchen is lovely!

Rachel Rogers said...

Megan~ you are such a strong woman! Thank you for sharing your lives...you are truly inspiring to me. I'm so glad you have wonderful people to surround yourself with that can help, and that your family has been blessed with a new job!

Emily and Jake Shoff said...

Thanks Megan, for your amazing strength. Your words really helped me and I am grateful for your example. Love you! And I'm glad you have such a wonderful husband and darling kids to bring you joy everyday! That's what this life is about, being able to find the joy even in our toughest trials! And I LOVE your "new" kitchen! Very pretty! Loves~

Rachel said...

Megan, I am so sorry for your loss! You are amazing and such a great person! I admire you so much!!

I'm inspired by your kitchen! I love it. I think I'm going to stain my cabinets dark like that!

Tamar and Trevor said...

I am so sorry. I will call you tomorrow. You are very loved!

Monica M said...

So sorry about what you are going through. Life throws you challenges every once in a while, but there is always hope.

Mary Ann Shoff said...

Hey Megan,
I too have misscarried...twice. My twins would have been triplets, and before I had my first baby, Chris, I lost the pregnancy at almost 4 months. I KNOW hos hard it is for you and I am so glad that you have such great family and friends supporting you while you are sso far away!

I just LOVE your kitchen and black cabinets are just G-R-E-A-T!!!! Enjoy!!!
Love and prayers right attcha!!!
Aunt Mary Ann