I was in labor about 5 years ago for 12 hours with Ella. I'll spare you most the details, except for the important points for this story with the title of this blog post. Unfortunately it is a very long entire story since I was in labor for 12 hours. I had to have a C section late at night when she wanted to be born but it wasn't happening.
I was pissed off when it was over. They take your glasses when they put you in the OR. I had not yet seen my baby even though she was out and alive someplace. I could hear them sewing me up even though I think I was supposed to be unconscious. When I was being wheeled down the hallway I shouted for my mother to GIVE ME MY GLASSES! I wasn't going to see Ella. Her Apgar score was too low. I wasn't happy. People kept telling me to go to sleep. I had major surgery. I was anesthetized. Shouldn't she be asleep? Passed out? NO! My best friend who knew I wouldn't rest until I saw her went to get my midwife. My midwife signed for the baby, and they brought Ella to me so I could see her WITH my glasses on. Then I was happy and passed out. I woke up to feed her a few hours later, and was able to ask for them to leave her in my room when she could be there. But she needed the lamps because she was jaundiced.
I woke up in the morning and asked the nurse to take off my IV and my catheter. I was ready to get up. I was met with a nervous giggle. Really? No one ever has asked for that so soon, they said. We have to ask someone. The head nurse took one look at me and knew what had to be done. She took me off the catheter. She watched me pee. Then I walked to see Ella. No one could keep me down. I had a mission.
Today I was very impressed with how Ella was dealing with her stress before her surgery. When we got there a co-worker friend of mine was there with her daughter to have their 4th procedure. The girl was upset and Ella walked right over and comforted her. She told her that both of them were going to be ok. Ella had never had surgery before and was already acting like it was no big deal but only in front of the other girl. But it was amazing to see her ability to help the girl cope. Ella only cried coming out of the anesthesia. She felt like puking for a little while, then ate two ice pops before we left. She was irritated, took a long nap, and then woke up 5 hours after the surgery and is acting as if nothing is wrong. "I was sick, now I am better." She said. "My soul is good."
I have to remember who I am, how I am, and where I come from when I am upset about things. I have to remember that I am strong. That we are strong. That bouncing back means you deal and you live and you get better. That just because things are not going the way you planned them, that things will still be ok and recovery happens. First ice pops, then ice cream, then soft foods, then pizza time. It's easy.
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