Sunday, May 13, 2007

Motherhood







21 years ago today after years of fertility treatments I felt my first labor pains and, after nearly 24 hours, no pain medicine, no food, not even a sip of water, and a crushed tailbone, my 9 pound 2 1/2 ounce first-born child who was turned posterior came into the world with the assistance of a really good doctor using forceps. During this time of labor, we had some very dangerous moments and I felt death. It was an incredible experience that remains so vivid in my mind it seems like yesterday. Thankfully, God guided the doctor, and my life and the life of my son were spared. We named him Bryce Anthony and he was beautiful. However, because of the extensive damage I suffered during childbirth, I don't recall many of the "first" things. I was not released for work for six months and I survived on pain pills for eight years. Finally, I got enough nerve to go the doctor, had reconstructive surgery, and was able to live without daily pain medicine. At the end of 1995, I had a positive pregnancy test and fear gripped me. Shortly after the test, I was experiencing extreme pain and was rushed to hospital. There, I was given a pediatric dose of Demoral and it knocked me out for more than eight hours. A remember the doctor coming in and telling me I had to have surgery because of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. This doctor saved my life and corrected some things that were contributing to the infertility I had been experiencing. After losing this pregnancy, I felt depressed but it wasn't too much longer and I was expecting. In 1997, Blake Austin was delivered via cesarean section. YEAH!!! That was a piece of cake after what I had experienced 10 1/2 years earlier. This son was gorgeous, too. His head looked as if it had been dusted with orange blush and his skin was milky white. Two weeks later, we went to church together. Then in 2001, at the age of 41, here came (via cesarean section again) the grand finale - the princess - the girl who also had red hair and milky white skin, and we named her Bryn-Anika. Motherhood - it has its share of pain, but I believe I can honestly say, the joy far exceeds the pain. I'm sure the mom's who read this can share many of their experiences, too. Feel free to write your story in the comment box. My children are now 21, 10 and five years old, and being their Mommy has been the greatest experience of my life. I want them to be the best, I want to give them the best, and wish everything wonderful for them. Reality is they will have pain in their life and someday they can write their story. As much as I would like to block any hurt in their life, I can't. I just hope that I can live such a positive example of perseverance in front of them, that they will know how to best handle the hurts that come their way. To all mothers, I wish you a blessed and happy Mother's Day.
The pictures are my three last month, Bryn at her first church service with Grandma, Bryn at her second service with me.

17 comments:

  1. Happy Mother's Day, Jana. LOve, Helen

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  2. Helen - I hope you have a wonderful day full of the honor you deserve. XO

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  3. Jana:

    Wow! It's amazing what you went through and what we moms go through to birth our children. What an amazing story you have. Thank you for sharing it. I too had a difficult pregnancy with Jeremy. I developed a heart condition called Mitral Valve Prolapse. They also discovered that my thyroid was overactive, and I had to go on medication at 6 months pregnant. It was a rough time for me. I wondering if my baby would be born normal. the doctor said he had a chance of being born with a goiter because of the thyroid meds. I'm thankful to say that Jeremy weighed 8 pounds 4 oz and 21-1/2 inches long. My labor was only 9 hours, and he was born healthy. Although I still have some heart problems, the thyroid problem disappeared and has never returned! I admire your courage and fortitude through those hard pregnancies. God is so good! And now you have 3 beautiful kids. Are you related to the Allards in Modesto? Hope your mothers day is blessed. Love ya,
    Karen : )

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  4. Hi, Karen, - I hope you have been having a great day. You know, it is amazing what women go through to birth children. Only a mother understands the meaning of "a mother's love." After all the infertility problems, I was overwhelmed to have my children.

    Yes, we are related to the Allard's in Modesto. Stephen Allard is my husband's younger brother. Stephen is more like a brother than a brother-in-law. We have so many great memories.

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  5. Sis Allard,
    Happy Mothers day.
    I just wanted you to know that today in our mothers day service it was off the hook. When one of the sisters read what you wrote about sis Pryor they had a photo of you and her on the screen at her birthday party. O my word sis you lost so much weight, I did not even know that was you. You look great, good job. It was a nice surprise for sis Pryor. I hope you had a great day even through all that you and the family are going through.

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  6. Jana, Thank the Lord for His keeping you through all of this. You do have 3 beautiful children. I hope your Mother's Day was blessed beyond measure.

    www.iluv2prshim.wordpress.com

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  7. Beka - I am so glad that your Mother's Day service turned out so nice. I know Sis. Pryor was surprised. Thank you for honoring her - she is worthy of double honor. Thanks for your compliments. Since March 2006, I have lost about 25 pounds. I really need to lose more for my health sake. Pray I can continue to lose. My heart is enlarged and a valve is beginning to leak. Losing weight could help correct those problems. Underneath all this fat, I have a very small bone structure and it can't hold this much weight without adversely affecting my heart. I hope you had a wonderful day!

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  8. Ronda - I really didn't want it to seem that life has been too rough, but I do want people to know that motherhood is not easy - but definitely worth it. We were married almost seven years before Bryce came along. We went through all the fertility treatments including taking Clomid. I am so thankful that God gave me children. They truly are a blessing of the Lord. I told my kids today that I am so happy to be their Mommy. I'm sure your family lavished love on you today and I hope you were able to enjoy every minute of it. Love you!

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  9. Sis,your right that sis Pryor is worth all the honor that we can give her and more. I will pray for you and your health condition. Keep up the good work.

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  10. Jana,

    God has blessed you with 3 beautiful children. Thanks for sharing your story and may you continue to enjoy the blessing of being their mom. :-)

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  11. Sister A, wow to think that Bryce is 21 that is amazing, he was 2 when I got in church, and he has grown up to be a very nice young man, very gentlemanly, and on fire for GOD, what else can a mother ask for, Please tell Bryce Happy Birthday for me. I will never know the *pain* of giving life to children, but I pray one day that I will know the joys of being a mother, and the blessings that come with having and raising children. I love all the children in my life. I love you sister Allard, HUGS TO YOU

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  12. Beka - thanks, I believe in the power of prayer.

    Carol - isn't being a "Mom" the greatest feeling? It is also scary when you think of the responsibility. I do remind myself all parents had to learn through trial and error. All parents were without experience and kids don't come with instruction manuals. Now having said that, isn't amazing that God would trust us with such precious cargo?!?!

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  13. Cheri - I believe you would make a great mother. I hope that dream comes true for you. I will give your love and greetings to Bryce.

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  14. Hi again, Jana:

    Stephen Allard used to preach revivals at our church about 10 or more years ago. Jeremy became friends with their son Bradley, and he spent the night at our home a few times. Jeremy told me the other day that your kids reminded him of Bradley and Cammy. Glad you have a brother-in-law that is more like a brother. My sister-in-law Kristin is like that to me.

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  15. Karen - thanks for dropping by. We love Stephen's kids. I probably shouldn't say kids because they are so grown up. Bradley is 20 and Cami is 17. Bryce says he would rather hang out with Cami than any other girl in the world. They are two clowns! Bryn absolutely adores Cami. Blake loves to terrorize Bradley. These cousins really do love each other.

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  16. Hi I use to go to Brother Allards church in Modesto. There was this song we use to sing and the only part I know goes like this "Thank God I'm not, not what I use to be." It's a worship song. It is such a beautiful song. I have been looking for this song for 5 years with no success. If you happen to know the name of the song, the artist or where I could find it please email me at anglop24@yahoo.com Thank you very much and God bless.

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  17. Anonymous - thanks for dropping by. So many songs have similar words, so I am not sure if I know the song you are talking about. There is a song written by Nancy Grandquist that has those same words. It is a song with verses and a tremendous song. I haven't heard the song used during praise and worship, but I am sure her song could be used for that purpose.

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