Tuesday 10 June 2014

A timetable of calamities and blessings.

It's been a bit of a roller coaster!

1998 My then boyfriend (now husband) and I immigrated from South Africa to Australia. Immigration by the way, is not for the faint hearted.

2001 We got married.

2004 Our beautiful first born son arrived.

2005 Dear Husband got diagnosed with prostate cancer, at the absurdly young age of 40. My article The Day I Got the Willies was widely published.

2006 As a result of his surgery, we were unable to conceive a much wanted second baby without IVF assistance. We commenced the first of ten (yes, ten!) assisted conception cycles. I spent years pining for another baby.

2008 We became pregnant on our tenth cycle. We are still pinching ourselves.

Late 2008 I went into labour at 23weeks and was told that our beautiful son would not survive his premature birth. Unquestionably the worst night of my life. The gods intervened though, and I managed to stay pregnant until 34 weeks. However I was on hospital bed rest for three months due to complications and constant premature labour. Yes, I was in labour for three months.

2009 Our little miracle man was born six weeks premature, but thriving. Joy to the world.

2010 We moved from Sydney to Perth. Like immigrating all over again.

2011 I consolidated various early attempts at running into a reasonably consistent program. I entered and completed several races, culminating in my first half marathon in 2013.

2014 We moved from Perth back to Sydney. Because stability is not something we appear to do.

During all of this I calculate we have moved six times in fifteen years, including two immigrations. We've weathered (I think) four retrenchments, eight surgeries between all of us, two healthy children, one cancer diagnosis, one wedding, ten IVFs, six houses and countless bouts of helpless laughter. When they said for better or for worse, in sickness and in health they weren't joking! Every calamity though, has turned out to be a blessing but boy, I wouldn't mind a quiet life from now on.

(Links and updates to follow.)