Hello to all of our Generous Supporters and Friends!
We are always so grateful for your involvement in our lives
despite the distance. Whether it be packages sent or notes on Facebook and
email, we know that we are in your hearts and thoughts on a regular basis.
Thank you.
In my last blog, I gave you the great news that I was
pregnant, and I also explained that I was suffering some severe symptoms.
The condition that I have is called hyperemesis gravidarum.
That’s basically a fancy phrase for a very extreme form of morning sickness.
And since the end of September, I have been battling with this condition. I
have had days in which I vomited at least 10 times. I have had days in which I
only moved from the bed to the bathroom and back. In that time, I have lost 16
lbs. I have gone to the hospital several times for IV treatments for
dehydration. In the beginning, I was given a medicine for nausea and vomiting,
but with little effect. Although Brazil does offer a public health system, the
care is often indifferent and slow.
A few weeks ago, I was in really bad shape. I was so weak, I
could hardly stand. Finally, with the financial help of some family members, we
were able to visit a private doctor, and she admitted us in a private hospital
for a few days. There, along with IV treatments, they gave me a medication that
finally started making a difference. It is a drug often given to cancer
patients to treat the nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy
treatments. With this medication, I was able to get some relief. I was able to
eat and drink again, usually only vomiting once a day.
As I explained before, the assumed cause for morning
sickness is associated with the hormones flooding the body in order to develop
the fetus. In the first 3 months of pregnancy, these hormones double every few
days, therefore, the nausea and vomiting often grow stronger as you reach the
end of the first trimester. After that, some of the hormones begin to subside,
and most often, the symptoms of nausea and vomiting begin to subside as well. I
have just reached the peak end of my first trimester. This week, despite the medicine,
my symptoms have worsened again. Thankfully, nowhere near the level of before,
but each day is a rollercoaster. My prayer is that now that I am at the end of
the first trimester, the nausea and vomiting will start to lessen with each
day. There is no guarantee of this, as some women suffer from these symptoms
throughout their pregnancy. Please pray with me that this is not my case.
Despite these hardships, there has been some good things. Ronã,
for one, has been amazing. He has gotten me everything I needed, made
appointments with all the doctors, cleaned up after me, held me when I was
moaning in pain, and so, so much more. He has served me and our baby so
faithfully. I am so blessed to have him.
Another wonderful thing is that our baby is totally healthy
and developing normally. We just went for an ultrasound yesterday, and we can
already see it’s head and little arms and legs moving around, as well as it’s
little heart beating so strong.
Though I have had to stop most of the things I was involved
in before, on my good days, I have at least been able to continue meeting with
some of the girls I have been counseling. It makes me very happy to know that I
can still walk along side them in this time as they continue to grow.
Our friends and the other missionaries here have been very
helpful and supportive of us. We are so grateful for their loving kindness.
Again, I want to say how much we appreciate your prayers and
support. God bless and keep all of you.
Additional Prayer Request:
-A Visa for Ronã to travel to the US and Canada
-Increase in Financial Support
-Continued health of our Baby
-Wisdom as we serve
Love, Allison and Ronã
