My Miracle Has Arrived!

As I mentioned before, in my previous post, there are many things that people with chronic illnesses are told that they cannot do. Having a child is one of those things that they usually have on their list that is given to them by their doctors. I am all about living my life the way that my life should be lived. The only person that knows how my life should be lived other than me is God above. With that said...I have my miracle!

March 12th, 2015 was the day that my whole life changed. That was the day that my pregnancy ended and my new life began. I worked extremely hard for the last 9 months to secure the best support  system possible. I knew that pregnancy would be hard on my body, I knew there would be bumps in the road, I knew there could be complications and other issues BUT I also knew that IMPOSSIBLE was not in my vocabulary.

The day I found out that I was pregnant, I was mentally prepared for many appointments, close monitoring, high risk status, and the possibility of short term or long term bed rest. I didn't let any of the potential negatives take away my joy.

July 18, 2014 - I found out I was pregnant. I was ecstatic. God had just answered my prayers. This was proof that He may not do things when you want Him to BUT He is never late

August 13, 2014 - I went for my confirmation ultrasound and office visit. I also confirmed my high risk status...(Thank you MCTD). I got to see my baby for the first time. Nothing else mattered.

October 14, 2014 - On this day I found out I was having a bouncing baby boy! 4 days before my father's birthday! Happy Birthday Daddy!

By the end of the year MCTD decided to show her face. Lupus was active, platelets were falling, joint pains and body aches all over. Still...I was not discouraged. All that meant was that my team needed to be solidified and a plan of action needed to be put in place. At this point, I was in control of my pregnancy. After my first pregnancy hospital stay...I switched obstetricians to one that was more familiar with high risk cases (it is never too late to switch). Together, we came up with a game plan so we were on the same page.

Advice: Be hands on and involved in your care EVERY step of the way!

February 7, 2015 - Baby Shower Day! The overwhelming amount of  love and support showered upon me from my friends and family was amazing!

March 12, 2015 - Baby J was born! He was healthy and strong! 11:42 am; 5 lbs 8 oz; 18.5 inches. The birth didn't go exactly as planned but the fact that I made it that far was more than enough for me. All that mattered was that my prince...the love of my life...my heart outside my chest...arrived safely. And he did! With a full head of hair!

I did it! I did it! I did it!

#Winning

You can do it too! Nothing is impossible with God!

What Can't You Do???

As soon as someone gets a new diagnoses the first thing that comes to their mind is "What can't I do? How does this change my future? What will I have to give up?" Trust me when I say this...there is nothing that you CANNOT do if you put your trust in Him. You may not be able to do rigorous tasks that you were able to do years ago but you can always modify it to your current ability.

When I was in high school...I was in the marching band and the color guard. Best years of my life. Performing was my passion. If I even attempted to do now what I was able to do then...I would break myself. Why? Not because I am old...I am still young. Simply because of MCTD. My joints are not as strong as they were in high school. Does this mean I CANNOT perform anymore? No!

When I was in the last years of my Bachelor Degree program...I received admission into medical school. My diagnosis of MCTD etc came 3.5 months to the time that I was suppose to leave. At that time I could not leave my treatment and my medical team. I had put my trust in my support system and made a decision to stay. Does this mean that I CANNOT further my education? No!

A lot of MCTD, Lupus, Autoimmune Disease, and other Chronic Illness patients are told that they CANNOT or SHOULD NOT have children because of one reason or another. Doctors, Physicians, and other Medical Professionals DO NOT have the final say. You do! So what if your pregnancy or your wife's pregnancy is labeled high risk?!?! That is just a term. Just keep taking care of yourself and your bun in the oven. Get a strong support system because you will need it. Husbands/Boyfriends of high risk pregnant women...Your wife is suffering even if she says she is not. It is already a hard task to bring a baby into this world but when you add a disease that is attacking her body from the inside out...it becomes even harder. It takes a strong man to handle something like this. Your support system is NOT only your spouse. It can be as big or as little as YOU want it to be. This is ALL about YOU.

There are so many more things that you are told that you CANNOT do and I just touched on 3 very important subjects: exercise, education, and childbirth. So I ask you again...What is there that you CANNOT do? NOTHING!

#Winning

She's back!!!! With a new name and new attitude!!!!

It has been over a year since I have sat down to blog about my life, my battle, my struggle, Lupus, or MCTD. It is a battle that MANY people have lost and are currently losing. I have watched people on their journey with this chronic illness and have seen them lose the fight. Many people do not know much about MCTD or Lupus. You cannot look at someone and just know....Oh, they have Lupus or Oh they have MCTD. With that being said...My name is Sheila and I have Mixed Connective Tissue Disease. My main disorder is Lupus. I am fighting this fight and I am choosing to count every daily victory as a win.

Anyone going through this or something similar...can relate to the fact that some doctors are very quick to say that because you have XYZ you cannot do this or you cannot do that. Meanwhile, that thing is something you have wanted to do your entire life! We will not give up. We will take control of our lives together. No matter what your hiccup is...we are all fighting the same fight! Anyone with any kind of chronic illness knows exactly what fight we are fighting...LIFE! We have one life to live and we will live this life to the fullest! We will win together!

#Winning