I had a March of Dimes meeting last night to plan for Prematurity Awareness Day. I really hit it off with one woman who had her son at 26 weeks – he’s four now, and no longer needs special developmental treatments. I also found out that our county offers those treatments FREE for preemies, regardless of income. Yet another reason I love the place I live!
Anyway, I volunteered for two things that will really stretch my bravery, but I think I did the right thing. First, I’m going to go to the hospital where Rivi was born and meet with the marketing person about lighting the hospital up blue and white on 11/15, and having a press conference/moment of silence. I haven’t been back into the hospital since Rivi died, and I’m worried how I’ll handle it. I’ve been by it, I just haven’t been in. I've also got to hound the press to cover the event (other people will be sharing this duty with me, at least).
I also said I’d give a short speech at the press conference, from the perspective of someone who’s lost a baby to prematurity. YIKES! I failed every speech class I ever tried to take – I’m okay with small groups, but crowds scare me. So I’m working on the speech. It’s going to be challenging, since I wasn’t that pleased with the NICU docs. I’ll focus on the people who gave us hope and fought with us – I just won’t mention the negativity. And I’ll concentrate on the fact that Rivi had a chance that he would never have had, without medical research and new treatments. I’ll finish by saying that the MOD is doing research that will give preemies even more chances, and save other families the grief we’ve endured. Sound good? I’ll post it when I have it done. After I finish, we’ll either light candles or release balloons to symbolize the number of babies lost in MD in a year to prematurity. That’s a LOT of balloons. Sigh…
Viv,
YOU will do wonderful!! Just speak from the heart, and if you get choked up it is completely understandable. I am so proud of you!! I say do candles. I don't like releasing balloons b/c birds can get caught in them, they can land in a pond/lake/ocean and other animals get caught in them. But that is just me. Maybe you could get blue/white lawn flags/windblowers made to put outside the hospital for the month??? Just some ideas. Good luck, but you won't need it, you will do great!
Your speech sounds like it will touch a lot of people and truly get your point across. You are very brave to do this, and I admire your courage. Good luck with the crowds - they scare me too! I'm sure you will do just fine because you will be talking about something very close to your heart (not some random speech class topic!). I like both the idea for the candles and the balloons, but in different ways. The candles seem more reverent, but the balloons seem more hopefully. I'm sure either way you choose to go will be beautiful.
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me - 30 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. dh - 28
dx 5/5/05
BFP 7/19/05....missed m/c 9/05
BFP (clomid 50mg + trigger + IUI) - 4/30/06!
Twin boys born @ 33wks... 29 days in the NICU
BFP (clomid 25mg + trigger + IUI) - 12/19/08!
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Viv...i'm so proud of you!!! You've come a looooong long way cyster...little Rivi will be showering you with angeldust he'll be so proud of you too.
__________________ Kim 40 PCOS/IR/IC/PIH/PTL
DS6yrs-preemie-30w)Twins-Met,Prometrium, Puregon Injectibles DS3YRS
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TTC#4 w/Injectibles-IVF conversion/CERCLAGE/6.2mo bedrest/emerg c-sec at 38wks
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Viv, you are going to do AWESOME. We will be cheering you every step of the way! I can't wait to see your speech. (You WILL submit it to us first for proofreading, right? : - ) )
OMGosh, you are such a wonderful person to take your experience and turn it into such a positive thing. Your speech will be very touching and i'm sure it will bring a great deal of awareness to a wonderful cause.
I wish you all the very best and I'm looking forward to reading your speech. G/L
you are very brave, so i know you can do it. this might even be a nice, meaningful project to keep your mind too busy for worrying.
i can't wait to read your testimonial (sounds better than 'speech' lol). you are a great communicator and very diplomatic, so i know you will be able to focus on those rays of hope instead of the disappointing doctors.
i'm very happy that you are finally getting this opportunity!
__________________ Metformin 1500mg, Yasmin, managing IR/pcos with lower carbs
First pregnancy ended at 23 weeks due to incompetent cervix.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Mary Catherine will be in our hearts forever, November 28, 2003.
Second loss March 9, 2004 at five weeks
Third pregnancy, Cerclage at 13w
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Fourth pregnancy, Cerclage at 13w
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TAC placed 6/28/07 at University of Chicago.
Moving on to IVF after a year of infertility and 3 Femara cycles. Lupron started on 7/27.
What have I gotten myself into??? 
You've come a looooong long way cyster...little Rivi will be showering you with angeldust he'll be so proud of you too.
