The Ups and Downs of Pregnancy

 These past few weeks have been full of ups and downs which is probably why it has taken me so long to update.  Where should I begin?

I have been asked to speak at several different places about my story which is great.  The first was a group of junior high BMX riders.  The next was a group of young adults at Capital Christian called Epic Life.  That was amazing.  I think it was my best one to date.  My dad even said, "I lived through it, read all of your blogs, listened to you tell your story numerous times and I never get tired of it!"  It really was a pleasure for me to share my testimony and add some humor.  I had them laughing and crying at the same time!  I really feel this is the direction God is leading me.

Swimming is continuing to go well.  My leg is remaining fairly strong with rehab and light weights.  I know the elliptical is helping out with this as well.  Every once in awhile I lose my balance but mostly I am walking better than expected.  The balance thing usually gets me at night when I can't see and I really need to go to the bathroom.  I start to sit down and fall forward.  I have to laugh because it is pretty funny! 

I finally got a call from my oncologist about my MRI from a month and a half ago.  He said everything looks good no sign of cancer!  That really made my day.  I have now cleared three scans and it has been over a year since my second surgery.  Things are definitely looking up.

I am having some trouble getting comfortable.  The more weight I gain from the twins the more pressure on my tailbone (which is still not healed) when I sit.  Lying down is not much better especially on my bad side and I can't lie on my back which leaves only my right.  After awhile I feel too much pressure on the kidney making it painful until I move.  I am reading a book about things to expect while pregnant but it doesn't really address all the extra things with my disability.  I can't complain though because I am still walking and that is a blessing!

The only real disturbing news came from the specialist I see for my pregnancy.  They are a little concerned about my cervical opening.  Right now it is right at 2.5 which means I will most likely be hospitalized about 2-3 weeks before my scheduled c-section.  I go back next week to have it remeasured and if it is any smaller I will have to go into the hospital even sooner.  Apparently this is common in pregnancies with multiples and there is no explanation nor is there anything I can do about it.  They are still allowing me to swim and rehab my leg but no heavy lifting (I already knew that one!)  I am definitely dreading the possibility of ending up back in the hospital.  My veins are dried up and I just spent the last year and a half in and out of hospitals.  You could say I am pretty sick of them!  I was prepared to handle maybe a week after the c-section but 2-3weeks before, maybe more . . . Yikes!

Courtney and my Dad have been hard at work fixing up the boys' room.  We are going with a desert camo theme.  It looks dope! 

Please pray that the twins hang in there safely and don't join us until their time and please pray I don't have to go into the hospital until absolutely necessary!

Powered By God,

Jamie

A Child’s Prayer

There is nothing like a child's prayer.  It is so heartfelt and pure.

Last week I went to speak to an Awana kids group at Sierra Bible Church.  It is something I have done every year for the past five or six years just before the Xterra USA Championship.  There is a bike race and then we gather the kids together so I can talk about racing and how important God has been in my life.   I missed last year because I was still in the hospital so it felt good to be back.

I shared what has been going on for the past year and a half and how God's strength has seen me through it all.  The children listened closely for 20 minutes then asked question afterwards.  In the end three volunteered to stand up and pray for me.  Their words were touching and inspiring.  I would like to thank Clif Bar for donating Zbars and Twisted Fruit.  The kids loved them!

I am now five months along and showing.  Walking is still difficult and only going to get harder as I get bigger.  The doctors aren't sure if I will end up in a wheelchair or just needing a walker.  They encourage me to keep up the strength in my left leg.  This isn't as easy as it sounds.  I took a few days off of the elliptical and weights and my leg suffered.  It is amazing how quickly it goes into atrophy without a nerve and glute muscle.  It usually means I have to work that much harder to get back what I lost.  I think that is the biggest difference these days when I work out.  It isn't about training or putting the mileage in . . . it is about maintaining the mobility of my barely functioning leg.  People are always saying I am doing a lot but the reality is if I don't use it I will lose it!  And if you have seen me walking you know how difficult and labored it already is!

My tailbone is still healing.  After a year I thought it would be fine but I am still having trouble sitting for longer than 45minutes.  The memory foam pillow is helping a lot.  The doctors aren't sure about the long term effects on my back with how lopsided I am.  So far I am trying everything I possibly can to prevent future trouble.  We are trying to have an outside gel pack made to put in place of the missing muscle.  It would be like a wonder bra but only for one side.    

Things have been looking up and I am continually blessed by family and friends who have shown so much support!

Powered By God,

Jamie

Keeping It Together

In these tough times it is easy for our faith to be tested. I feel that way everyday. I wonder how I am going to make ends meet when I can't really work. Because I am so young it is going to be hard to get disability and yet I have to do something. Courtney and I have truly been blessed through the past year and a half with so much support from everyone. We are so grateful!

This past weekend we took a trip to Utah to help me feel better and get away. We went to watch the Xterra USA Championship race. It was exciting and rewarding to see everyone. It was also a little sad because it was another race where I was sitting on the sideline instead of racing. I did get to announce a little which was great but it would be even better if I could make a living at it. I have been trying to contact some folks to see if they will hire me next year but no word yet! I guess I have to be the squeaky wheel and get my foot in the door.

A good friend of ours GL Brown is putting together a fundraiser at the Xterra World Championship। He has been growing his hair long all year and is going to have it cut at the Paul Mitchell Cut-a-thon in opes of getting a lot of donations। Right now he is asking everyone to join his cause and donate one dollar. He wants to get thousands of people involved around the world and make this happen. I should have more info soon if anyone wants to get involved. Right now it is about passing the word along. Thanks GL for the help! If you would like to donate or learn more, please click here.

Every day seems like a struggle but the goal is always the same . . . just get through and maybe tomorrow will be better! I have been praying for God's strength. I know he has a plan for me but sometimes it is hard to completely trust. Lately I have prayed that he helps me with that. I think that is the hardest part for everyone, to stop trying to be in control and trust God. In the end I know he will provide so why am I so worried?

Powered By God,

Jamie

It's Boys

We found out we are having boys!  Courtney is very excited and I am still overwhelmed.  I am going to be out number unless you count our two female dogs!

 

Don't gt me wrong I am excited but the stress of paying bills is keep me up at night and not eating much.  I pray that everything will work out but I am still worried.  With me not working things are really tight and the medical bills seem to keep rolling in.  I don't like checking the mail any more.  I can't imagine if I didn't have insurance because with it you still pay an arm and a leg!

 

I guess I will have to pursue coaching a little harder and really sit down to write my book.  I need some source of income to help out.  I would really love to announce more races as well because it would allow my family to watch the kids while I worked.  I know I am not the only one in this position with the way the economy is.  I just wish I were still able to work the way I used to!  Any ideas out there??

 

Please continue to keep me in your prayers . . . that everything works out the way it is supposed to!

 

Wow . . . I'm having BOYS!!!

 

Powered By God,

Jamie

The Simple Things

When I look back over the course of the last year and a half it is hard to believe what has transpired.  There were times when life barely seemed to move.  I often think about how much pain I was in and how hard it has been to fight to get back to "normal."  No matter how still time seemed to stand, life does go on.  I am living proof of that!

 

It is true that you never look at life in the same way when a traumatic event happens.  These days I find myself watching how people move.  It could be in a yoga class, riding a bike or running.  I think about how simple the movements look and wonder why it is so difficult for me?  Do people realize how lucky they are? 

 

This past weekend I drove to Pacific Grove with my Dad to help announce the triathlon.  I needed to do something and terry Davis was kind enough to give me the opportunity to work with some awesome people.  With Xterra races always starting at 10:30am, I was not used to being ready to go at 6:30 but I managed.  I began with Julie Moss, an Ironman legend, at the swim start.  She introduced a few of the athletes in each wave and got the spectators pumped up while I informed the athletes of how much time before each start.  I also did the count down before the horn!  It was so much fun and very busy.  We worked really well together!

 

Once we sent all the waves I migrated over to the bike tower where I worked with Nick Tuttle.  We called off names as the bikers lapped around us.  I had to climb a ladder to get to the top of the ladder.  We weren't sure if I could make it up but some how I managed.  Don't ask me how because I am still trying to figure that out!  For the elite riders I explained why they were able to draft and not the age groupers along with other tid bits of information.  I was starting to find my niche!  Towards the end of the race I was at the finish line tower bringing home the athletes after a hard days work.

 

I also helped with the awards which gave me an opportunity to share my story with a bunch of new people.  It was a long day and i enjoyed every minute of it.

 

The next day for the sprint distance it was pretty much the same thing except I was able to go solo in the bike tower for awhile.  I am not going to lie, I was a bit nervous at first but I got comfortable pretty quickly!  I had to sit a lot because of being pregnant.  I find myself out of breathe and feeling dizzy which the doctor says is normal.  It may be normal but I am not used to feeling that way.  I like to go, go, go!

 

As we drove home Sunday afternoon, I knew I had found something I enjoyed.  I only hope I get hired to do more races!

 

As the nausea gets better I am able to do more and more.  My swimming is up to 2500-3000 yards 3-4 days a week.  I just found out my elliptical trainer should be arriving within the week.  Thank you Matrix and Cal Fit for making this happen.  The more I use the elliptical machine the stronger my leg gets.  Not to mention it is easier to workout on it then it is to walk.  I can hardly wait!

 

I am now 18 weeks along and still barely showing.  Most folks at the race didn't even know until I told them.  Some thought my stomach was just bloated from the surgery.  I had to laugh . . . my stomach has never been this big.  According to the doctors every thing is fine and my first two blood tests have come back negative for any problems.  It doesn't mean there are none, but it is a good indicator that things are doing well so far.  I keep praying the twins are healthy both physically and mentally.  That is all I care about. 

 

We are hoping to find out the sex of both by next week so my next update should be informing everyone what we are having.  Make sure you check my website!

 

Tomorrow I head to San Fransisco for a cancer scan.  I can only get an MRI and I am praying it comes back negative. Please pray for no cancer!! 

 

Until next time,

 

Powered By God,

Jamie

SHOCKING BUT SURPRISING

Over the last year and a half I went from being a professional triathlete to fighting cancer and becoming disabled.  My life has completely changed.  Just when I thought I was adapting pretty well I got hit with more life altering news.  The doctors figured out why I have been so nauseous since my last surgery . . . I'm pregnant . . . with TWINS!

You read it correctly I am pregnant with twins and due sometime in late January, early February.  When I first got the news I was pretty shocked.  Even more shocked when they told me there were two.  Both of them went through the surgery with me so they are already proving to be pretty tough.

I am trying to adjust to the idea of this but there is a huge overwhelming feeling lingering over me.  By the time I am ready to deliver it will be less than two years that I had three major surgeries, cancer and almost died from a kidney infection.  But I take great comfort in knowing this latest news is great news.  We were so scared that my kidney was being rejected in the new location and that I might need another surgery.  Thank goodness that is not the case!

I am still having a lot of issues with nausea and headaches even though I am already in the second trimester (16 weeks along.)  The anti-nausea meds help but some days I can't move from the couch.  I am hoping this will not last the entire pregnancy.  I have already been through so much.  I am already dreading the fact that they have to perform a C-section.  I will have to be cut open once again and this time I will be awake and strapped down.  This is freaking me out!

I also spend some days wondering, "How am I going to do this?"  How am I going to walk in a few more months?  I already have poor balance and I don't want to end up in a wheelchair.  Thank goodness my physical therapist is making sure I am strong enough in my core and quad so that I don't need the wheelchair.  I may need the walker but at least I will still be walking on my own.  Then there is the question where so we put them?  We need Extreme Home Makeover now more than ever.  We only have two bedrooms and one bath.  This is going to be interesting.  And last but not least our financial situation.  I am still paying off medical bills, trying to save enough to make our bathroom more disabled friendly and now we have more medical bills and two little ones coming.  It is very stressful for me.  I have to constantly remind myself that I am not in control and God will provide.  It usually calms me down!  Besides at least we are getting a 2 for 1 on the maternity deal!

So that is the latest and greatest news.  It is definitely shocking since we didn't expect this.  We didn't even think we would be able to conceive on our own which is why we spent a bundle on harvesting eggs.  I guess we didn't need them but at least it is better to be safe than sorry.  What a surprise!  Who said God didn't have a sense of humor? 

And my story seems to continue . . . .

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Jamie   

BACK AT IT!

I am happy to inform everyone that I have been doing really well lately.  I made my way back to the gym where I have been putting in about 2hrs of various things like elliptical trainer for 20-30min, weights for 40min then swimming for about 2500y.  It has been great.  I almost feel normal again except for the limp!

 

At first it was hard.  My legs were so week form 2 months of lying on the couch.  Even swimming felt awkward.  But after a week, things started to get better especially with swimming.  It feels wonderful to be back in the pool.  It had been a year since the last time I was able to swim and with the hot summer the timing couldn't have been better.

My strength is getting better each week and it has only been 3 weeks.  It is always the first hurdle you have to get over before things start to come around.  I am able to vacuum which is not my favorite thing.  This may not seem like much but one month after surgery I could barely push the vacuum across the rug!  I had to have my Dad come up and help clean my house.  Thanks Dad!

These days I am getting to the gym about 3 days a week and resting the other days.  I am hoping to be getting a special elliptical trainer for my home so I can work out more.  We also have our endless pool up and running so I have been using that.  What a great tool to watch my stroke more closely.  One of my athletes will be up next month for a training camp and we will be able to video tape and analyze his stroke.  I am very excited to finally be able to do that!

In the meantime I am sorting through about 2 years of paper work and rereading all the cards everyone sent me while I was battling cancer.  It is nice to look back and see how far I have come especially when I get frustrated with my situation.

Thank you so much for your continued support and prayers!

Powered By God,

Jamie

PS I've already sold one bike. . . 4 to go!