In May 2010, I went to see my GYN, Dr. Mestemacher, for my yearly checkup. A 10 cm cyst was found on my right ovary. I had to wait until my next menstrual cycle so that I could start on birth control to shrink the cyst. I was two weeks late. I was scared and did not want to take a pregnancy test. I got sick with a sinus infection. I went to see my doctor and she would not give me medicine until I had a pregnancy test. So, I had a pregnancy test. Remember, I wrote in an earlier post that doctors said I could not get pregnant without assistance. Well, doctors are not always right. I was pregnant. I was surprised. I was scared. I was in shock. I cried. I was turning 41 on May 20th of that year. I was too old. I kept thinking, "What is God thinking?" Noah turned 11 on April 21st of that year. I just could not believe I was pregnant.
When we told Noah, he asked if the baby could be named after him. He was excited. I explained to him that was not how it worked and then I thought why couldn't we name the baby after him. Whether it was a boy or girl, the middle name would be Christian just as Noah's.
After the shock wore off, I started getting excited. My sister in law, Katie, was 2 months pregnant ahead of me. Wow, two babies at the same time. Sundays at Memaw's and Pepaw's was going to be loud and fun. I was due in January 2011.
I do not remember all of the exact dates. After a couple of months I started getting really sick. I could not eat. I could not drink. I ended up in the hospital two times for dehydration. After the second time, my OB/GYN suggested I see Dr. B.K., a high risk pregnancy doctor. After several visits with Dr. B.K., nothing unusual was showing up on the ultrasounds. I had an ultrasound about every two weeks. J.R. was going with me to every appointment. After several appointments and no change, I told him that I could go by myself. On that appointment, the doctor proceeded to tell me things that no Mama wants to hear. He thought the baby had Trisomy 18. If the baby had Trisomy 18, I may not carry the baby to term and if I did, the baby would not live long after birth. He thought the baby may have Down Syndrome. He gave me only bad news. He wanted to perform a Amniocentesis. I agreed and thought he left the room to make an appointment. He left the room to have a nurse set up a room to perform it right then. He was talking and I could not listen anymore. I actually ran out of the office crying with Dr. B.K. still talking. I heard a nurse tell me to be back the next morning at 8 a.m. for the test. Needless to say, I did not go to another appointment by myself. J.R., Jan, or my Dad always went with me from then on.
I was so upset. I called J.R. He was working on a job. I told him I was going to his parents. I called daddy and he went and finished the job for J.R. so J.R. could be with me. We had a prayer time for this precious life I was carrying. I did not sleep that night. J.R. went with me to have the test. Dr. B.K. explained to J.R. what he thought was happening. After the test, I went home and laid down.
We decided to go out of town. On our way to Florida, the doctor's office called my cell phone. The baby did not have Trisomy 18 or Downs Syndrome. We found out the baby was a girl. We had decided if the baby was a boy, his name would be Luke Christian. If the baby was a girl, her name would be Faith Christian. So the good news was we could call her Faith now.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Friday, August 17, 2012
I am sorry I have not posted before now. We have been busy with different things in our life. I started teaching Noah two weeks ago. 7th grade. Wow, where has the time gone!! I love spending that time with Noah and watching him learn new things. And, of course, I like relearning things. There are alot of things I had forgotten about that I learned in school. We are having fun.
Sometimes around 1992, my Mama visited her eye doctor for her regular yearly check-up. The doctor saw a tumor behind her right eye. The doctor’s office scheduled an appointment with Dr. Meyer, a well- known and respected ophthalmologist, for the next day. Dr. Meyer confirmed our worst fear, the tumor was cancerous. My Mama underwent one of several surgeries. Dr. Meyer positioned a radiation implant behind her eye that would give radiation to the tumor for 4 days. Then she would go back to surgery to have the implant removed. She had this surgery of implanting and removal of the implant several times. The elevated blood pressure in her eye was very painful. Eventually, her eyeball had to be replaced with an artificial eyeball.
My Mama was known for her love for her children and her family. She was always a cheerful person and loved to laugh. Anytime you saw her she would have a smile on her face, no matter what she was going through or how she was feeling. Friends would tell her that she was such a strong person. She never gave up on God and she gave God the glory. She loved and trusted God.
As soon as I found out I was pregnant, the nausea and vomitting started and did not stop until he was born. I was very sick the whole time I was pregnant with him. I lost 40 pounds. What a way to lose weight!! I do not recommend it.
My Daddy asked me to quit my job and work for him. I was working at Wilder Youth Development Center in Somerville, TN. I told him that I had good insurance working for the state and that I could not quit until after Noah was born.
Three weeks before my due date, I had my weekly appointment with my OB. I was 4 cm dilated and 70% efaced. Dr. Moise told me that I would deliver before the weekend was up. She told me to go to the mall and walk and walk and walk. I did that until I was tired. It was two weeks before I went into labor. I woke up one morning and thought my bladder was leaking. It was my water leaking. I arrived at the hospital at 3:30 A.M. and they started inducing at 5:35 A.M. Noah Christian Doyle was born on April 21, 1999 at 11:20 A.M. He weighed 7 pounds and was 21 inches long. That day changed my life forever, for the better. God proved once again He was in control. Prayers were answered in God's time not ours.
I was off work for 6 weeks after I delivered Noah. When I returned to work I turned in my resignation. I worked longer than a regular 2 weeks notice. I did not want to leave my friends before the year-end ended. There were a lot of things and paper work for the year-end with the state. So my resignation was for June 30, 1999. I started working for my Daddy on July 5, 1999. So now, J.R. and I both worked for the company.
My Mama had to have a blood stem transplant. After a little while of waiting, a match was found. My Mama and Daddy had to move to Seattle, WA for six months. The transplant was a success. J.R. and I ran the plumbing company while they were gone. God again proved that J.R. and I working for the company was a part of His plan.
During the first few days that Mama and Daddy were in Seattle, Noah jumped off of a play desk and hurt his arm. He did not cry. J.R. was working on a job that was close to our house. He came home, checked Noah's arm, and told me he thought it was broke. I was fine until he said those words. Noah had to have surgery and two pins inserted. Once again God proved that working for the company was His plan. I was able to care for Noah and work.
Throughout the rest of Mama's life, she had stomach cancer and brain tumors. Her last 6 weeks on earth were spent in the hospital. She was admitted for pneumonia. While in the ICU, the doctors discovered more brain tumors and she chose to take radiation treatments for the brain tumors. She was one strong, courageous fighter. My Mama’s health insurance told the doctors that it was time to send her home. I was out of town on a business trip for the plumbing company when she came home. When my Dad and sister got my Mama home and situated, my sister called me and asked if I wanted to talk to her. I said sure not knowing that would be the last time that I would talk to my Mama. She was still drugged from the medication for the ambulance ride home. I told her that I loved her and she told me that she loved me. That was the last time that I spoke with my Mama. She came home, went to sleep that night, and woke up in heaven with God. I can only imagine what she saw when she met God. I have a problem forgiving myself for not being here. But I have had to come to realize that me not being here was God’s plan. I have had to find a way to accept His will. My Mom fought cancer for 13 years. I miss my Mama very much but I would not even think about taking her away from God and Heaven, where she is eternally healed.
Mama, I miss you so much and look forward to the day that I see you again.
Sometimes around 1992, my Mama visited her eye doctor for her regular yearly check-up. The doctor saw a tumor behind her right eye. The doctor’s office scheduled an appointment with Dr. Meyer, a well- known and respected ophthalmologist, for the next day. Dr. Meyer confirmed our worst fear, the tumor was cancerous. My Mama underwent one of several surgeries. Dr. Meyer positioned a radiation implant behind her eye that would give radiation to the tumor for 4 days. Then she would go back to surgery to have the implant removed. She had this surgery of implanting and removal of the implant several times. The elevated blood pressure in her eye was very painful. Eventually, her eyeball had to be replaced with an artificial eyeball.
My Mama was known for her love for her children and her family. She was always a cheerful person and loved to laugh. Anytime you saw her she would have a smile on her face, no matter what she was going through or how she was feeling. Friends would tell her that she was such a strong person. She never gave up on God and she gave God the glory. She loved and trusted God.
As soon as I found out I was pregnant, the nausea and vomitting started and did not stop until he was born. I was very sick the whole time I was pregnant with him. I lost 40 pounds. What a way to lose weight!! I do not recommend it.
My Daddy asked me to quit my job and work for him. I was working at Wilder Youth Development Center in Somerville, TN. I told him that I had good insurance working for the state and that I could not quit until after Noah was born.
Three weeks before my due date, I had my weekly appointment with my OB. I was 4 cm dilated and 70% efaced. Dr. Moise told me that I would deliver before the weekend was up. She told me to go to the mall and walk and walk and walk. I did that until I was tired. It was two weeks before I went into labor. I woke up one morning and thought my bladder was leaking. It was my water leaking. I arrived at the hospital at 3:30 A.M. and they started inducing at 5:35 A.M. Noah Christian Doyle was born on April 21, 1999 at 11:20 A.M. He weighed 7 pounds and was 21 inches long. That day changed my life forever, for the better. God proved once again He was in control. Prayers were answered in God's time not ours.
I was off work for 6 weeks after I delivered Noah. When I returned to work I turned in my resignation. I worked longer than a regular 2 weeks notice. I did not want to leave my friends before the year-end ended. There were a lot of things and paper work for the year-end with the state. So my resignation was for June 30, 1999. I started working for my Daddy on July 5, 1999. So now, J.R. and I both worked for the company.
My Mama had to have a blood stem transplant. After a little while of waiting, a match was found. My Mama and Daddy had to move to Seattle, WA for six months. The transplant was a success. J.R. and I ran the plumbing company while they were gone. God again proved that J.R. and I working for the company was a part of His plan.
During the first few days that Mama and Daddy were in Seattle, Noah jumped off of a play desk and hurt his arm. He did not cry. J.R. was working on a job that was close to our house. He came home, checked Noah's arm, and told me he thought it was broke. I was fine until he said those words. Noah had to have surgery and two pins inserted. Once again God proved that working for the company was His plan. I was able to care for Noah and work.
Throughout the rest of Mama's life, she had stomach cancer and brain tumors. Her last 6 weeks on earth were spent in the hospital. She was admitted for pneumonia. While in the ICU, the doctors discovered more brain tumors and she chose to take radiation treatments for the brain tumors. She was one strong, courageous fighter. My Mama’s health insurance told the doctors that it was time to send her home. I was out of town on a business trip for the plumbing company when she came home. When my Dad and sister got my Mama home and situated, my sister called me and asked if I wanted to talk to her. I said sure not knowing that would be the last time that I would talk to my Mama. She was still drugged from the medication for the ambulance ride home. I told her that I loved her and she told me that she loved me. That was the last time that I spoke with my Mama. She came home, went to sleep that night, and woke up in heaven with God. I can only imagine what she saw when she met God. I have a problem forgiving myself for not being here. But I have had to come to realize that me not being here was God’s plan. I have had to find a way to accept His will. My Mom fought cancer for 13 years. I miss my Mama very much but I would not even think about taking her away from God and Heaven, where she is eternally healed.
Mama, I miss you so much and look forward to the day that I see you again.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
J.R. and I bought the house on Mebane Road in Oakland on May 20, 1994. I lived in our house until we were married on November 18, 1994. When we got married, J.R. was working for Ring Can Corporation in Oakland and I was working for Wilder Youth Development Center in Somerville.
In 1995 I started trying to get pregnant. After one year, our doctor started having test ran on J.R. and me. All test results were normal. I was really having a hard time. I wanted a baby so bad. This is all I could think about. Every month I would think "this is the month". My father-in-law, Rudy, told me that God was not going to let the love that our family had to go to waste. I did not know if that meant getting pregnant or adoption. I started reading alot of books on adoption. After another year and I still wasn't pregnant, we decided to try fertility pills. I took them for 6 months. After 3 1/2 years, I still was not pregnant. We decided to visit a fertility doctor to see what our options were. All of the options were very expensive. After much prayer, on our last visit to this doctor, we told him we had decided to not go that route.
My Dad and his brother owned a plumbing company called Culver's Plumbing. Around March 1996 my Dad asked J.R. to go to work for him. I did not want J.R. to work for the company. I was afraid that it would be a problem for Daddy and J.R. to work together. So J.R. told him he did not think it was a good idea. In April 1996 Daddy asked J.R. to go to work for him again. This time J.R. thought it was a good idea. So J.R. started working for the plumbing company. From the first time J.R. and I met, God was shaping our future and we did not even realize it. In May 1996 my Dad and his brother split the plumbing company. My Dad's company is called Jerry Culver's Plumbing and Septic Co., LLC. His brother started a plumbing company with his three sons, who were working for the company. J.R. has been working for my Dad for 16 years.
In 1998 a friend had just found out she was pregnant. She called Jan, my mother-in-law, and told her she was about to call and tell me before I heard it from someone else. She wanted Jan to check on me after I recevied the news. I did not receive the news well at all. I remember crying, well more like sobbing. I could not believe she was pregnant and I was not. I remember thinking why would God allow her to get pregnant and not me. She already had one child. I was hurting so much. I did not understand why God was not hearing my prayers. God had other plans.
I was pregnant at that last fertility doctor's visit and did not know it. I was pregnant when my friend called to tell me she was pregnant and did not know it. When I thought I was pregnant, I took a pregnancy test and it was positive. I told J.R. and he told me to not get my hopes up and to take another pregnancy test. It was positive. J.R. once again told me to not get my hopes up and to take another pregnancy test. It was positive. I took one more home pregnancy test and it was positive. J.R. once again told me to not get my hopes up and to go to the doctor and let them test me. I did and it was positive. I asked J.R. "can I get my hopes up now?" That was a total of 5 positive pregnancy test. We did not tell anyone what was going on. We had talked about painting our house. So we decided to have a paint party with our families and give them the news. Everyone was so happy.
In 1995 I started trying to get pregnant. After one year, our doctor started having test ran on J.R. and me. All test results were normal. I was really having a hard time. I wanted a baby so bad. This is all I could think about. Every month I would think "this is the month". My father-in-law, Rudy, told me that God was not going to let the love that our family had to go to waste. I did not know if that meant getting pregnant or adoption. I started reading alot of books on adoption. After another year and I still wasn't pregnant, we decided to try fertility pills. I took them for 6 months. After 3 1/2 years, I still was not pregnant. We decided to visit a fertility doctor to see what our options were. All of the options were very expensive. After much prayer, on our last visit to this doctor, we told him we had decided to not go that route.
My Dad and his brother owned a plumbing company called Culver's Plumbing. Around March 1996 my Dad asked J.R. to go to work for him. I did not want J.R. to work for the company. I was afraid that it would be a problem for Daddy and J.R. to work together. So J.R. told him he did not think it was a good idea. In April 1996 Daddy asked J.R. to go to work for him again. This time J.R. thought it was a good idea. So J.R. started working for the plumbing company. From the first time J.R. and I met, God was shaping our future and we did not even realize it. In May 1996 my Dad and his brother split the plumbing company. My Dad's company is called Jerry Culver's Plumbing and Septic Co., LLC. His brother started a plumbing company with his three sons, who were working for the company. J.R. has been working for my Dad for 16 years.
In 1998 a friend had just found out she was pregnant. She called Jan, my mother-in-law, and told her she was about to call and tell me before I heard it from someone else. She wanted Jan to check on me after I recevied the news. I did not receive the news well at all. I remember crying, well more like sobbing. I could not believe she was pregnant and I was not. I remember thinking why would God allow her to get pregnant and not me. She already had one child. I was hurting so much. I did not understand why God was not hearing my prayers. God had other plans.
I was pregnant at that last fertility doctor's visit and did not know it. I was pregnant when my friend called to tell me she was pregnant and did not know it. When I thought I was pregnant, I took a pregnancy test and it was positive. I told J.R. and he told me to not get my hopes up and to take another pregnancy test. It was positive. J.R. once again told me to not get my hopes up and to take another pregnancy test. It was positive. I took one more home pregnancy test and it was positive. J.R. once again told me to not get my hopes up and to go to the doctor and let them test me. I did and it was positive. I asked J.R. "can I get my hopes up now?" That was a total of 5 positive pregnancy test. We did not tell anyone what was going on. We had talked about painting our house. So we decided to have a paint party with our families and give them the news. Everyone was so happy.
Friday, June 8, 2012
My heart has been heavy over the last couple of days. I know exactly what Lucy Krull's mother and Trey Erwin's mother are going through right now. It is very hard to watch your child's health decline and not be able to do anything about it. I know it seems as if God is not with them, but God is with them. God sees their pain and for some reason, this is God's plan. We are not called to understand God's will but to trust Him. It is hard to trust Him through the pain but we must trust and obey. My heart and prayers are with these two young children and their families.
On a lighter note, when J.R. and I were looking at the house on Mebane Road (before he asked me to marry him), my parents were with us. I kept asking J.R. his opinion on certain things in the house. When we left the house, we followed my parents to Lewis' Restaurant in Moscow, TN. I was driving my car to the restaurant when J.R. pulled an engagement ring out of his pocket. I was surprised!! At that moment, he did not actually ask me to marry him. Halfway to the restaurant, my Daddy pulled his van over and told me to drive my Mama and he was going to ride with J.R. J.R. got the speech. "What are your intentions with my daughter? Why were y'all asking each other's opinions about the house? Are you going to be there when the house needs painting? Are you going to take care of my daughter?" J.R. asked my Daddy for my hand in marriage.
My Mama started asking me questions. The only thing I could tell her was that J.R. showed me an engagement ring. At this point, I still did not have it on my finger. After we ate, J.R. and I went to the Fayette County Jail. Yes, I said the Fayette County Jail. Ok, a friend of mine was the dispatcher. She helped J.R. pick the ring out. J.R. proposed to me sitting in the Fayette County Jail parking lot. How about that for a proposal!! LOL Earlier that day, J.R. asked his Mama to meet him on the steps of the jail. He told her he was planning on asking me to marry him. She asked him if he was sure about that and he said yes.
On a lighter note, when J.R. and I were looking at the house on Mebane Road (before he asked me to marry him), my parents were with us. I kept asking J.R. his opinion on certain things in the house. When we left the house, we followed my parents to Lewis' Restaurant in Moscow, TN. I was driving my car to the restaurant when J.R. pulled an engagement ring out of his pocket. I was surprised!! At that moment, he did not actually ask me to marry him. Halfway to the restaurant, my Daddy pulled his van over and told me to drive my Mama and he was going to ride with J.R. J.R. got the speech. "What are your intentions with my daughter? Why were y'all asking each other's opinions about the house? Are you going to be there when the house needs painting? Are you going to take care of my daughter?" J.R. asked my Daddy for my hand in marriage.
My Mama started asking me questions. The only thing I could tell her was that J.R. showed me an engagement ring. At this point, I still did not have it on my finger. After we ate, J.R. and I went to the Fayette County Jail. Yes, I said the Fayette County Jail. Ok, a friend of mine was the dispatcher. She helped J.R. pick the ring out. J.R. proposed to me sitting in the Fayette County Jail parking lot. How about that for a proposal!! LOL Earlier that day, J.R. asked his Mama to meet him on the steps of the jail. He told her he was planning on asking me to marry him. She asked him if he was sure about that and he said yes.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
God has been dealing with me about writing this for a while now. I am not a fan of putting my words and emotions in writing. But I want to obey Him, so here it goes.
First of all, this blog is NOT about me and what I have done. It is about God and what He has accomplished and what He is achieving in our lives. I am praying that this blog brings glory to God. Second of all, this is very hard for me. A lot of different emotions and thoughts will flood me and I am not looking forward to that. Lastly, I write like I talk. Sorry about this.
J.R. and I had our first blind date on January 16, 1994. J.R.'s cousin married a friend of mine and that is how we met. I told him on our first date to NOT get serious on me. I was not looking for a lasting relationship just a friendship. After we had been dating a month, J.R. told me he loved me. I said, "Take me home". It was a few weeks before I spoke to him again. I forgave him. HAHA. On April 8th, J.R. proposed to me and I said "Yes". On May 20, 1994, we purchased our first house on Mebane Road in Oakland. I moved in our house and J.R. moved in after we were married on November 18, 1994.
First of all, this blog is NOT about me and what I have done. It is about God and what He has accomplished and what He is achieving in our lives. I am praying that this blog brings glory to God. Second of all, this is very hard for me. A lot of different emotions and thoughts will flood me and I am not looking forward to that. Lastly, I write like I talk. Sorry about this.
J.R. and I had our first blind date on January 16, 1994. J.R.'s cousin married a friend of mine and that is how we met. I told him on our first date to NOT get serious on me. I was not looking for a lasting relationship just a friendship. After we had been dating a month, J.R. told me he loved me. I said, "Take me home". It was a few weeks before I spoke to him again. I forgave him. HAHA. On April 8th, J.R. proposed to me and I said "Yes". On May 20, 1994, we purchased our first house on Mebane Road in Oakland. I moved in our house and J.R. moved in after we were married on November 18, 1994.
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