tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963115104853889303.post1594438515809543963..comments2023-10-09T02:25:35.076-05:00Comments on Musings on Hope: Patience, patienceAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01770896471495080911noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963115104853889303.post-32040190788791938152010-04-05T17:01:57.850-05:002010-04-05T17:01:57.850-05:00Hey Lee, sounds like you are very overwhelmed. I f...Hey Lee, sounds like you are very overwhelmed. I feel like reading your post is how I felt with just one health baby, all the stress, and not having any patience and praying every night for more patience. I know my situation is not the same as you but we are both separated from family which makes it sooooo much harder. I agree with Michelle about asking for help it seems like you have so many nice friends who would be more than happy to help with a few little things. Which would make things just a tad bit better.<br />I think about you girls daily. <br />PS<br />What is going on with Maggie’s decreased appetite? How was her weight?<br />Alison CardenasAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963115104853889303.post-83131861559173647362010-04-02T16:59:19.879-05:002010-04-02T16:59:19.879-05:00You are amazing Lee and your feelings are so norma...You are amazing Lee and your feelings are so normal. Use me! I will do whatever I can do help. Praying for ya, TessaTessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07630261951922650311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963115104853889303.post-34588205003014524872010-04-01T08:23:14.984-05:002010-04-01T08:23:14.984-05:00Lee - I have nothing to offer in the way of advice...Lee - I have nothing to offer in the way of advice or such seeing as how I have only a dog, but I love you and am still praying! Kisses. AnnaBirdiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06554138918596412612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963115104853889303.post-3668298058255899322010-03-31T21:18:05.907-05:002010-03-31T21:18:05.907-05:00Oh Lee, I have been in your shoes with a preemie n...Oh Lee, I have been in your shoes with a preemie newborn, and I had postpartum depression and think I cried away most of his first year of life! I have few happy memories of him as an infant, so I know how stressful this time is. I think two things really strike me now (9 years later) about how I could have coped better:<br />1) get more help from other. I didn't reach out, didn't ask friends, didn't hire people. That was very ignorant and proud of me. I should have gotten more people involved. Maybe you could get a friend to have ML play with her children at their house to give her more social time, pay a sitter to stay with ML and take Maggie to a few appointments alone, etc.<br />2) Learn to let go of expectations. Yep, that's a big one. I was in postpartum due to this one. My child wasn't what I expected, and I resented my new life. But now, 9 years later, I think about how SHORT that time with a preemie was in the big scheme of things. My son has been "normal" with no therapy since age 2, so we've had lots of outings and activities for 7 years now. I hardly remember that first year of confinement. Realize that this is a SEASON and not a permanent condition. Find things to do at home that you won't be able to do later once you can go out, like rent all the DVDs for a tv series off Netflix and watch them (not that I did that or anything!).<br />3)Be thankful. Continue to remind yourself that Maggie's therapy appointments and limitations now are far less than people who are carrying for a terminally ill child or one with a life-long disease. Follow a blog or two about those stories, and it puts it all into perspective.<br /><br />Lots of prayers,<br />Michelle CearleyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com