I am so privileged that I get to be surrounded by so many inspiring women. My cousin Angela is no exception. Angela and I have walked hand in hand through the years experiencing miscarriage and pregnancy loss. Our stories and lives are not exactly the same, but they have paralleled each other. I am so grateful that I have had her to cry with, talk to, and vent when my heart has been broken.
She is a beautiful wife, and mother of two. Her two young daughters are so lucky to have a mother who is the perfect example of unwavering faith, kindness, joy, and finding hope in devastating situations.
As I was experiencing my ectopic pregnancy earlier this year, she was experiencing a molar pregnancy. I admire her so much for being strong through uncertainty and continual blows of life-changing news.
This is her story...
"Before being blessed with my first daughter Hayley, I experienced two miscarriages. My second daughter Emrey came just 23 months after Hayley was born. As I prepared myself to become pregnant again, I had many thoughts. The most prominent thought being, “You have already experienced two miscarriages. You have gone through enough. Everything will be fine.”
On January 9, 2018, I went into my first OB appointment thinking I knew everything about infertility and pregnancy loss. At that appointment, I was told that I had a complete molar pregnancy. I had never heard of a molar pregnancy before. A molar pregnancy is a tumor that develops in the uterus at the beginning of pregnancy. Molar pregnancies always end in a loss. I left that appointment with a scheduled D&C two days later.
After my D&C, I did my best to get back to life. I had two previous D&C’s before Hayley, so in a way, I knew the routine. My treatment plan following my D&C from a molar pregnancy was a little different. In rare cases, molar tissue may remain in the uterus and continue to grow following a D&C. This can be very dangerous. The condition is called persistent gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. To treat GTN one must have chemotherapy in order to eradicate the remaining tissue. To check for GTN, I was scheduled to have my blood drawn once a week to monitor my HCG levels. HCG levels become elevated if there is persistent molar tissue in the body. My first scheduled lab draw went great. In all honesty, I was not expecting anything else. I had the same thought process as before. “You have now experienced three miscarriages. You have gone through enough. Everything will be fine. “
I was running on the treadmill (trying to get back to normal life) when I got a call from my OB. My second-week lab results had come back with an elevated HCG. The next week at my blood draw my HCG levels would need to come into normal range. If it did not, then I would be sent to an oncologist to begin Chemotherapy treatment. I ended that call feeling completely confused. In my mind, I thought, “I have experienced enough. Everything will be fine.”
The next week came and my results were in. I had GTN. During the next eight weeks of my life, I was repeatedly poked by needles, had endless doctor appointments, and weekly chemotherapy treatments.
My chemotherapy treatments are now over. I am in remission. The doctors recommend that I wait a year to try and have another baby. The next year will be spent having my HCG level tested often to ensure I am molar tissue free.
This diagnosis has left me a lot of time for thought and growth. I have never been one to beat any odds. The year 2018 has been my year to beat all the odds. 1 in 4 women experience miscarriage. I am the one. 1 in 1,000 pregnancies is a molar pregnancy. I am the one. 1 in 5 women experience a condition called GTN following a D&C of a molar pregnancy. I am the one.
Would I trade being the one for the lessons that I have learned? I am still working on being thankful for my trial, but as each day passes, I become more grateful for a Heavenly Father and a Savior who knows me. They know what trials will best strengthen me and make me the best ONE."
I love how Angela is turning to the Savior and Heavenly Father to be "the one" He would have her be. Even if that requires trial, heartbreak, and lots of patience. Thank you, Angela, for sharing your story!
If you are experiencing a molar pregnancy please reach out if you need support. Also, share some love for Angela below for her bravery of owning her story.
