do with
their
child and
therefore,
my restrictions were no
different. Emotional
roadblock resolved? Check!
I
was now okay with having a child,
but there were still physical and
financial roadblocks that needed to
be resolved. Obviously, I wanted
to get my symptoms manageable
enough so that I was excited by the
idea of having a child rather than
overwhelmed. Working with my
team of doctors and body therapists, I established a treatment protocol that works well for me--a combination of medication, myofascial
release therapy, massage, aquatic
therapy, surgeries (cervical facet radiofrequency
ablation) and regular sleep.
I also eat an anti-inflammatory diet and try to
practice moderation in all
my activities. On my way
to feeling well enough for
motherhood? Check!
T
hen there were
financial matters to
consider. Since sleep was
(and is) critical to manage
my pain, I knew getting up with
the baby throughout the night
would be a very bad idea. I also
did not want the entire task to fall
to my husband. Translation? We
will need a night nurse. With a
baby in the home, I would not be
able to work. This meant that all
financial responsibility--our daily
living expenses, my medical bills,
child care costs--will fall to my
husband. I also knew that to stay
“healthy,” we would need to secure
day time child care so I could keep
up with my treatment and selfcare (an average of 10-15 hours a
week).
W
hile I am lucky enough to
have two parents whom,
despite living on the other side
20 Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain
Life
of the country, are willing to be
with us the first few months to
help in any way they can, I knew
this was not a long-term solution. Unfortunately, my husband’s work keeps us on the West
Coast while my family remains
back East, so we absolutely will
need child care, at least parttime. The price-tag here in San
Francisco? Up to $2000 per
month! So for the last 4 years we
have built up our savings while
my husband secured his position
at work. Financial obstacles considered and addressed? Check!
D
uring this time, I decided
to broach the topic of pregnancy with my rheumatologist, a
wonderful doctor who treats my
FM as our common enemy. She
has always encouraged me
to do what makes me happy
and not let my limitations
rule every aspect of my
life. I trust her opinions
immensely. She mentioned
that pregnancy would Z