On December 3, 2009 we welcomed Leona Janae Pearcy. Born at 1457, she weighed 7lbs. 0.7oz and measured 20 inches long. What an exhausting time!!! The journey of her arrival actually began 2 years earlier when Joe and I first decided we wanted a baby. However, God had a much different plan. On November 29, 2007 (my birthday, by the way) I went in for a routine eye exam. For several months I had been experiencing some painful migraines and occasionally my vision would become distorted. A co-worker suggested I get an eye exam because I might need glasses. So off I went. It's never a good sign when a doctor begins their evaluation with "Well...." After examining photographs of my eyes my doctor had discovered some small hemorrhages. She then went on to say the my optic nerve was bulging through it's cavity related to pressure from behind. I asked, "So what does that mean?" She was unable to give me the answers I needed and recommended I see my PCP. I scheduled an appointment immediately! After seeing my PCP, I still had concerns and questions. Both of which she could not help with except to refer me to a neurologist. Again, I went home feeling deflated and helpless. Joe and I didn't know what to think except for the worse; BRAIN TUMOR!!!
After my "all too informative visit" with my PCP, I scheduled an appointment with Dr. Wilson. Joe offered to tag along with me for support, but I shewed him off to work allowing him to believe it was no big deal. When I arrived at the neurologists office the typical new patient routine set in. Receptionist: "Can I help you?" Me: "I have an appointment with Dr. Wilson." Receptionst: "Ok, I'll need to see a copy of your insurance card and please fill out this paperwork." With the stroke of a pen I was officially the patient of a neurologist; something my professional life told me was not good. After a short wait the nurse called me back to my room. I was convinced this was going to be the room where the bearer of bad news (Dr. Wilson) was going to make his grim diagnosis. After what seemed like eternity, Dr. Wilson graced me with his presence. He wasn't at all what I pictured; kinda scrawny and nerdy. He sat down next to my chair and started to gather a history of my symptoms. I explained to him that I had been having right sided headaches and neckaches for the better part of a year. After thinking about it, I began to recall having these migraines all the way back in the early years of college. Along with the headaches I started having difficulty seeing at times. As I went on about myself, Dr. Wilson listened and occasionally typed something into his computer. After it was all said and done, he looked at me and said "I think I can tell you what's going on." Based on all I had said he started to describe something call Pseudo Tumor Cerebri or Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension. Basically, I had too much cerebral spinal fluid build up in my body. He said it so matter-of-factly; like it was no big deal. To me, it was a huge deal. He wanted a few tests to confirm his diagnosis. The first step was to get and LP to measure the opening pressure of my CSF. Normal was les than 20. Mine was somewhere in the 40s. After I had 12ml of CSF drained from my back, I was headache free for the first time in forever. After some blood tests, MRI, MRV and and an MRA (to rule out an actual tumor or blood clot) I started on a daily regimen of Diamox (diuretic). I began taking the Diamox sometime in December, and by February I was in the ER twice for kidney stones. Plan B doc! After switching to Lasix, I was eventually taken off of my medication in May 2008.
For someone who was always relatively healthy, this was quite a set-back in the quest to get pregnant. By the time I had finished my treatment my baby fever had broke and I was back to wondering if having a child was a good idea. After all, my brother had just announced that he and his wife were about to have there first. I didn't want to steal their thunder. Joe and I went about our lives like normal again, focusing on family and work.
February 2009 we decided that the time was right. By March we received the greatest knews of our lives. We were pregnant!!! I was in such disbelief that I took three pregnancy tests just to confirm it was true. When we found out about our little "Babel" I was only 3 weeks 5 days pregnant. This was going to be a LONG pregnancy. The first trimester went very well. No morning sickness, nausea, cramping, etc. We were certainly blessed. We both agreed that gender didn't matter so we decided to aim for the element of surprise. By the time I was about 25 weeks along I started experiencing significant swelling in my lower extremities. As the weeks progressed, so did my swelling and eventually my blood pressure. My doctor put me on weekly appointments which turned into two appointments per week, nonstress tests, 24hr urine screens and transitional duty at work. All I wanted was to have a healthy baby. I've seen so many sick kiddos that were a result of prematurity or complicated pregnancies. I kept thinking about being the mother of a special needs child. The day that scared me the most was when I went in for a "routine" visit and got placed on bedrest. I was 34 weeks; not anywhere near full-term. I desperately wanted my baby to be healthy, but everything kept getting worse. I remember being at the OB's office complaining about my swelling and weight gain. "I don't know where all this fluid is going," I said to Dr. Fenoughty. In the most non-sympathetic tone she replied, "Have you looked in a mirror lately?" To be honest, that's what I respected most about her. She was frank and to the point; traits more physicians should adopt. I couldn't help but laugh.
4 weeks pregnant
37 weeks pregnant
Week 35, 36, 37 and 38 came and went. I don't know who had it worse? Me or Joe? Sleeping was a luxury anymore because my hips would cramp up after lying on one side. It was getting harder to breathe as my baby grew and grew. I was physically and mentally exhausted. I finally pleaded with my doctor one last time to induce me. We agreed that at 38 weeks 3 days I could be induced. I was elated!!! Finally, there was light at the end of the tunnel. However, part of me felt guilty and selfish. Was I really doing the best thing for my baby? I knew in my heart that if this was not the best coarse, then I would not have come to this decision.
Joe and I checked into the hospital on December 2, 2009 at 4pm. I was induced at a little after 6pm that same evening and by 1457 on December 3, 2009 we were overjoyed with the arrival of our baby girl. Nothing compares to the moment I heard her first cry and when Dr. Fenoughty placed her in my arms. I knew instantly that this was my purpose; to love her endlessly. Everything that had happened over the last nine months had dissolved into a distant memory. She was mine!!! I couldn't believe that Joe and I had created something so beautiful. I will never forget those first few moments as a family.
Right where she belongs
Such a peanut
Proud Papa
Now for her name. Throughout the pregnancy we had mulled over several names; boy and girl. The bottom line was that we wanted her name to be significant and meaningful; just like her life.We decided on Leona Janae Pearcy. Her first name has significance to my side of the family because it's in honor of my grandmother "MeMe." Janae (although spelled with an "E") was Joe's mother's middle name. We wanted to honor both of their memories because they meant so much to our lives.
Deep in my heart I always knew I was meant for marriage and motherhood. You might ask "What's next," but these are two things that I will spend the rest of my life trying to perfect. I may never achieve perfection, but I will know that I am doing my best to love my family the way they deserve. Cheers!
Leona Janae Pearcy
Here's to US!!!
