Blessings

We are so excited and blessed to be given such a miracle of bringing a baby into the world. Just a year ago we were prepared to face a reality of not being able to have any more children. But just as mysteriously as it appeared, it disappeared....

In September of 2010, I awoke one morning with these awful hives on my hips. This continued almost every morning for weeks, until it progressively got worse, spreading and appearing throughout the day. Then came Halloween weekend, when my face and throat began to swell, followed by anaphylaxis shock the following night. It was at that point we started to panic a little bit. But the only thing we were told was that I had chronic idiopathic urticaria (unexplained hives and allergic reactions), and their main concern was to get the reactions under control. So after the steroids didn't work, I was put on a stronger immunosupressant. Unfortunately, you cannot get pregnant on this stronger immunosuppressant. Well, I wanted answers, because we wanted more children! But after seeing doctor after doctor, no one was able to find anything. I felt like I was on an episode of mystery diagnosis! One doctor did think he found evidence of an early onset of Lupus, but thankfully after seeing my second rhuemetologist it was ruled out. They all just said that I had to wait for them to go away, which could be months to years! We were devastated. Women have been known to get pregnant and take steroids, but I was unsuccessful with steroids. Well, it was in March of last year when I decided to find another allergist, and that was probably the best decision I could have made. He became my advocate. We both searched for information...whatever we could find. I was open to any idea. So while he weened me off of the immunosuppressant, I also weened off of some other regular medications I had been taking. I was desperate and didn't want to rule anything out...our bodies are so complex and unique. Well, slowly but surely the hives got less and less and I was off the strong suppressant as well as all other medications. Then the day after my birthday in July, we found out some glorious news...we were pregnant! And even better, the hives were gone! Neither I nor any of the doctors know where the hives and reactions came from, but they're gone. Only God knows and has the answers. He gives us challenges he knows we can handle. Who knows, maybe our little girl wasn't ready to come to us until now? And now, I am ever more grateful to be given this blessing, not only of having another baby, but for having my health and family as well.

Peek a boo!

Thank you...