The sun shone in through the small hopper window near the ceiling. I woke up slowly and watched the sun beams that drifted to the floor. I knew it. I was a mother. From the outside I did not look ready for motherhood.
In my heart, I was ready. I smiled. I quit smoking.
The next week I went to the Doctor’s office for a pregnancy test. I didn’t bother buying one from the store because, well, as I said – I knew.
The test came back negative. The nurse and I spoke a bit about why I thought I was pregnant. (For the record, I did have real physiological symptoms which I will not bore you with.) She shook her head dismissively and wrote in the chart. I began eating lemons; friends just looked at me and shrugged. Three weeks later I bought a pregnancy test at the drug store and it confirmed my knowledge. I returned to the doctor.
I wasn’t what anyone would call glowing and lovely. I worked in a Mexican/American fast food restaurant. Cleaning tables at the lower, sunny end of the dining room I remember thinking, as the feeling from my stomach took over my whole body, Is this what it feels like to have to throw-up? I scooted into the bathroom. I was right.
The tumultuous relationship with my boyfriend got worse and worse, my friends and family urged me to leave and one night, I did. My mother, in what appeared to be her first ever truly maternal moment took me into her home. Well, kind-of, it was her boyfriend’s home – but she lived there and now, so did I with a mattress on the floor of the living room.
No one was interested in hiring a 19 year old, 5 months pregnant, with a green complexion. My mother said I looked like an olive with a toothpick stuck through it. Likely a very accurate description.
On Valentine’s Day, my baby gave me a lovely gift. He kicked. I still battled nausea daily, but he was growing and moving. I told my mother, “I don’t know why this baby and my body don’t agree, but every time I am sick I know he is a fighter.”
That doesn’t mean I was chipper about the whole sickness, thing. However, the time a relative said to me in my feeble state – “If you really wanted that baby, being sick wouldn’t bother you.” I stood shocked and crushed, “WTF?” was not yet trendy but summed up my internal reaction.
Because the fact was, I did want “that baby.” More than anything I ever knew before. Enough to take a chance with my mother, then take a chance with Marcus’ father, again. Enough to wade through the bile and weakness that filled my being when strength and self-sufficiency were my previous avatars.
At almost exactly eight months, just when I was starting to feel hungry, BAM – pancreatitis. That sucked, for the record. I reached a friend’s door and said, “Is everything supposed to hurt?” She helped me to the emergency room where, just inside the doors, they sat me in a wheel chair. Then the contractions began and I passed out from the combined pain.
Soo, in my blacked out state I was given medication to stop the contractions. (Remember the doctor believed we were only seven months in.) The next day I had my first ultrasound. My little one confused the technician with his head size compared to his overall body weight/size.
The technician pointed to the screen, “Look, he’s sticking out his tongue.
“Oh great,” I said, “He’s already ornery for the camera.” I laid looking at the ceiling,
“I foresee years of difficult school pictures ahead.” (I was right about that – see exhibit A)
I stayed in the hospital a few days. The heart monitor attached to my belly echoed a swooshing sound for the baby’s heartbeat. Every nurse commented on it. I felt my doctor knew I didn’t have help at home and, though I was on government assistance, he was kind enough not to quickly “boot” me out. I was released with medication to stop the contractions and a very strict and limiting diet. I was allowed 3 grams of fat A DAY. Think about that.
In order to keep contractions under control, I learned the real trick was to sit still and not stress. I also learned to live on baked potatoes with fake butter and fire ball candies. My friend Kelly would come over and we played solitaire, next to each other, for hours. Calm. Still. Don’t Stress.
Back to the due date issue, I trusted my baby would know the right time to appear and I reminded him, “I know, as soon as you can make it outside of me, this body will kick you out. Cook until you’re ready, little man.” And I was right. The morning of June 19 my water broke. Nothing would stop him from coming now. I knew the time was right.
Maybe I’ll share the labor story sometime, but today let’s leave it at, 25 hours later…my son was born.
Side bar: Since the doctor and I disagreed the entire pregnancy about the false negative. The first thing I said once Marcus was born was: “When did I say this baby was due?” “He does look fully term,” he conceded. I reveled in that small victory, but admittedly he seemed a little distracted while he wiped the babe clean.The doctor wasn’t worried about prematurity. In hind sight, I believe he took in those small indicators that the technicians and nurses glazed over (in my presence). The Down syndrome features did not surprise the doctor.
Another sidebar: People have asked me when I’ve mentioned this, “Why didn’t he tell you?” Really? What good could come from telling an already stressed out, 8-month pregnant, 19 year old, single mother (in 1990) that her baby showed signs of Down syndrome?Those 9 months were the longest of my life. With at least 6 different “homes,” and I use the term loosely. Sickness, hunger, fear, anger, disappointment, shock, revelation…all of this dissipated when I held my son in my arms.
Sure I was shocked and scared when three hours into my official motherhood I heard the phrase “Down syndrome.” However, no label could ever ever overpower the connection between us, my son and me.
I was a mother.
His mother.
The world became ours in that moment.
In the frantic worries of the next few weeks, I did not yet know how many more precious, wonderful moments awaited us.
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This week is Marcus’ 23rd Birthday, WHAT?! Nope. This is a re-re-post, originally posted 7 years ago. Now we’re coming up on Marcus’ 25th 30th Birthday! Whoa – much to celebrate while also looking forward to te many more joyous moments to come. –
Sharing again for new friends, this is the beginning of our story.
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Beautiful post! Thanks for sharing your story. So honest and beautiful!
Thank you for stopping!
You are lucky to have each other! <3
That I’ll take. 🙂 Thank you.
Wow, that’s beautiful!
Thank you.
You are blessed to have one another. And yeah – sometimes we just know things. Happy Mother’s Day to you!
What a story. Thanks for sharing and Happy Mother’s Day to you.
Stupid doctors. But you knew. I mean, you quit smoking and everything!!! Wow to 27 years later. To the 25 it was at first when you wrote this. So glad you linked up and happy Mother’s Day to you, my friend. You and Marcus have done some pretty amazing things. Also? I’d love to read more of the story of the six homes and your mom and and… xoxo
Its terribly disappointing when doctors don’t take their duties seriously, especially since their prescriptions and diagnoses are nothing less than verdicts . I admire your strength , determination and deep love for your yet-to- be -born child , without which it would have been impossible for you to fight against the odds during your pregnancy. You are an inspiration , in so many ways and a mother that Marcus is definitely proud of.
My best wishes to you both and a very Happy Mother’s Day to the strong mother in you .
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Thank you!
Forever linked, you two. What a beautiful and tumultuous story. And I’m sorry your pregnancy and baby didn’t agree with each other, but I think the two of you as people really did/do!
I had that with my second pregnancy. It was like everything that could go wrong did. And I’m close as anything to that little boy, who just turned eight. No idea why his sister’s pregnancy and now his little brother’s pregnancy was/is so far much easier.
Thanks for reading. Yes, you are right. We are forever connected. Thank Goodness 🙂
Although I don’t have other children, I can see in your shares my suspicion that these bonds can certainly begin before you meet face-to – face. Amazing.