It was shaping up to be a rather uneventful day. October 4, 2012, dawned on a Friday, the start of Columbus Day weekend. My husband, Mark, had a half day off work, and we planned to enjoy lunch together and tackle a few errands. I had a quarterly CT scan scheduled for the following Tuesday morning, and the imaging center had reached out to me earlier that week with the usual inquiries:
- “What is your weight?”
- “Do you have any allergies to latex or contrast solution?”
- “Any issues with IVs?”
- “When was your last period?”
As for that last question, I hesitated. I hadn’t had a period in a couple of months, but I was certain I couldn’t be pregnant. Mark and I had been trying for three years, consulting fertility specialists and going through various treatments like Clomid, multiple rounds of IUI, and even IVF, all without success. After being diagnosed with a rare cancer in early 2010, I’d endured invasive surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy. I was then told I was entering perimenopause—at just 41, it didn’t come as a shock.
So, when the imaging center informed me that I needed a blood test to rule out pregnancy, I was frustrated. I had hoped for a pleasant afternoon, not to spend it taking a pregnancy test. Since my CT scan was scheduled for early Tuesday morning, I needed the results to be expedited. After the test, Mark and I managed to have lunch and complete our errands, but I was glued to my phone, coordinating with a nurse named Amy who was handling my paperwork.
Later that afternoon, I found myself wandering the aisles of Hobby Lobby, not really familiar with the store or their views on women’s health, which I later learned was a significant detail. I was searching for yarn to crochet a scarf for my mother’s Christmas gift, while Mark was off looking for supplies for a model car project. When my phone rang, I felt a surge of relief, as Amy had promised to call with the test results.
“Hi, Amy,” I said, juggling an armful of yarn.
“Hello, Jenna,” she replied with an upbeat tone. I chuckled, relieved we were nearing the end of this ordeal.
“Thank you for your help today,” I said gratefully.
“Of course! But, are you sitting down?”
At that moment, I sensed something was amiss. My heart raced, and I felt lightheaded.
“No, Amy,” I replied, “I’m standing in the yarn aisle of Hobby Lobby.”
“Well, we have your results… you’re more than five weeks pregnant!”
Those words were beyond my comprehension. I was in disbelief. “There must be a mistake. Are you sure?”
“We’re sure!” she laughed.
In that moment, I bombarded Amy with questions about how this could be possible. She patiently reassured me, finally saying, “Congratulations! Go tell your husband!”
“Alright…” I said, still clutching my yarn as I started searching for Mark. If you’ve never been to Hobby Lobby, it’s a maze, especially when you’re in shock. Thankfully, Amy stayed on the line until I found Mark, who was still perusing decal paper.
“MARK!” I shouted, drawing his immediate attention. He later told me my tone had alarmed him, making him think he had done something wrong. Quite the opposite!
I placed my hand on his chest—partly for connection, partly for stability—and shared the news. He blinked repeatedly, processing it, then his eyes welled with tears as he embraced me.
The rest of the day was a whirlwind. I did manage to purchase the yarn—the last time I would ever support Hobby Lobby, mind you. Amy arranged for an ultrasound at a nearby hospital, and soon we were gazing at our tiny baby, just a speck at that point. To our astonishment, I was actually closer to six weeks along, and we could hear the heartbeat for the first time.
If you had told me how this day would unfold, I would have found it laughable. Yet there I was, feeling the rhythm of life within me, a stark contrast to the battles fought against cancer just two years prior. It was mind-blowing, and I still find it hard to comprehend.
“We’re having a baby,” Mark and I repeated to each other in a daze of disbelief, joy, and confusion. “WE’RE having a BABY.”
For those embarking on a similar journey, whether through natural means or considering options like an at-home insemination kit from trusted providers like Make A Mom, know that you aren’t alone. For more insights on overcoming challenges with fertility, check out this excellent resource on infertility. If you’re interested in learning more about cervical insemination, this blog post is a great place to start here.
In summary, what began as an ordinary day transformed into a life-changing moment, revealing the unexpected twists and turns of the journey to parenthood.
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