Comments on: Scattered.

By: shauna

shauna — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 03:50:35 +0000

When I read the first two paragraphs of this, I kept thinking, “I could have written this. Thank god someone else understands. What is it with this month?”

And then I kept reading, and I felt ridiculous. Our darling daughter, who is now 6 months old, spent the first two weeks of her life in the ICU, and those were the darkest, most dangerous days of our lives. But it was nothing in comparison to what you went through. And you write it about it so goddamn beautifully that I just want to say thank you.

You reminded me to be grateful.

By: Bec

Bec — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 08:26:57 +0000

Erin’s almost two and I still have those moments of panic where everything floods back. I used to have panic attacks while watching House because all those monitors sound the same. I don’t think it ever goes away, some times I’m glad.

A friend of mine comes from a long line of prems, she said that her grandmother had a horrible time when her daughter was born (26 weeks) because of her own experiences.

By: Pam/Wordgirl

Pam/Wordgirl — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:44:26 +0000

Hi Alexa,

My mother and I were just talking about this — about my struggle with infertility and the heartbreak of it — and she talked of my birth and how, even now, when she sees things on preemies — it comes rushing back. It becomes a part of you, but she says it gets easier.

You’re a wonderful writer,

Pam

By: Jill

Jill — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:21:32 +0000

Hey, I hear you. Winter sux dux dix, if you pardon my quasi-Latin. Nobody’s dead or dying around here (that i KNOW OF) but I am descending deeper into despair with each passing day. The only thing that makes life tolerable is the internet and books about Scott’s doomed Antarctic expedition (It was colder there than here! Five of them died! They had to eat their ponies!) and the awful fate of Czar Nicholas II and his family (Deposed, imprisoned and shot!) Although, admittedly, the Urals in July are quite warm I doubt the nice weather cheered them all that much.
Getting out of the house is also good. As is coffee. Cheer up, spring has to get here sooner or later.

By: zarqa

zarqa — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 18:31:44 +0000

Ditto on what Amanda says.
Also, you’re not alone: as I embark on a fresh cycle, with a live baby girl here and a dead baby boy somewhere else, this cycle overlapping almost to a T with practically the same potential due date as the cycle that lead to the boy I lost, I’m a million different places too.
You write beautifully.

By: Kristin

Kristin — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 15:11:48 +0000

Alexa…you have captured perfectly how hard it is when joy and wonder and amazement is so closely juxtaposed with sorrow and grief. Thank you for sharing this.

By: Natalie

Natalie — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 12:10:28 +0000

I agree with Amanda…

“you are so beautiful and your grief and wonder and confusion and even, at times, peace, make being a teensy part of this story one of the most human, compassionate, joyous, grievous, and lovely things i have ever experienced.”

Thank you for sharing your life

By: Mary Helen

Mary Helen — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 03:45:11 +0000

Poor dear Alexa. You have been through so much that you finally deserve calm, peace and happiness. But I know that past experience makes it hard to just let go.

Please know that we, your readers, care about you and are wishing you the best. Please, though, if your mood carries beyond January consider talking to your doctor. There is nothing wrongbwith a little medication. It helped me reach a place I could work from.

Take care and keep sharing. We’ll be there for you.

By: liz

liz — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 02:46:20 +0000

Thinking of you.

By: T

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 00:02:53 +0000

Oh Alexa – you had to live through it all, I’m so sorry you’re reliving.