When I found out I was expecting, my doctor was taking maternity leave for her first child. I called her practice and asked who was seeing her patients, while she was on leave. My doctor delivered our boys (Drew and Luke) and had been a huge support over the years. I wished she could be part of the journey with our new little one.
My favorite tv show is This is Us. The first episode chronicles a young couple expecting triplets and the heartache of losing one of the triplets. I remember watching that first episode about a year ago, not knowing we would be going through heartache a year later. The doctor on the show (Dr. K) is genuine and played by actor Gerald McRaney. Even though he is a character, he showed support and encouragement. When I went to my first appointment with my new doctor, I came home and told Matt, “He is so supportive and genuine.” Matt replied, “Well, I guess you have your own Dr. K, like on This is Us.” I smiled at the parallel of the similarity.
When the time came to deliver our son Hope, I tried to prepare myself. The night before, I was looking on-line for information. I become apprehensive, while reading what the experience would entail. After admittance to the hospital, I asked the nurse to tell me what to expect. She was honest and I appreciated her honesty, as I needed to be prepared.
My new doctor said to me prior to delivery, “I know Dr. ___ delivered your boys. I called her. She wants to be here for you.” I was filled with emotion. She just returned to work when we lost Hope. They decided if I would deliver that evening, he would deliver. If I delivered in the morning, she would be there for delivery. Hope arrived in the early morning hours, so my new doctor delivered. Later that morning, as we were preparing for Hope’s baptism, I noticed a woman to the side of the room. There were so many people…chaplains, nurses and the social worker, that I had to focus for a minute to see who came into the room. It was my doctor who delivered Drew and Luke. She had been there for me over the years in the joyous times and here she was again in the sorrow. She hugged, cried and sat with me and joined us for Hope’s baptism. Her personality shines and she always shows care. I will always remember what she said, “We have been together for a long time. This is not the end of our journey together. We have more times ahead.”
I saw a sign posted on-line by my vintage store friend Jane the week I had Hope. She owns a store here in Washington, MO The Vintage Trader. The sign said: This is Us~Our Story. Our Life. Our Home. I felt like that sign was made for us. After coming home from the hospital, Jane was nice to hold the sign until Matt could purchase. The sign sits on our porch. When I go on our porch to have quiet time, I look at our sign. .
Here is the link The Vintage Trader: