[blparent] Article by one of our own

[Bridgit Pollpeter]

First, Marsha, no problem sharing this. I usually send the blog link out
anyway so thanks. I haven't been advertising it as much since my new
editor started, and  they have significantly been rewriting my blogs
eliminating my unique writing style and voice. As a writer, this has
been frustrating not to mention unethical on the part of the editor.
Nonetheless, I am glad for the opportunity to share my knowledge and
experiences.

Terri, yes, I not only understand the frustration of trying
unsuccessfully for a child but that I too would opt for fixing health
concerns before blindness. I'm currently healthy and though I've been
type 1 diabetic for 27 years, my minor complications do not directly
stem from diabetes but from a viral infection that almost killed me 8
years ago and simultaneously had adverse affects on my diabetes. A 10
year eating disorder also complicated my health as well. My diabetes has
been well managed and maintained for the past 8 years but as a result of
both anorexia and the infection, I have tachycardia, which is an
elevated heart rate, extremely low blood pressure, which I've always
had, but after the infection, my BP dropped to dangerously low levels,
minor issues with my GI system where I don't digest certain foods as
quickly as I should, very mild neuropathy, though I've never had
numbness but pain from time to time and of course blindness. None of
this actually keeps me from conceiving, but a couple of medications I
had been on were not safe for pregnancy so I have to be off of them for
now, and of course, pregnancy can always have a negative impact on
health concerns if not monitored. And in general, any pregnant diabetic
will experience fluctuations with their glucose levels. I have to keep
detailed records that I send weekly and my doctors and I make weekly
adjustments to my insulin routine as the pregnancy progresses.

Though I was finally told a pregnancy was possible, no one expected
conception itself to be easy or happen quickly, least of all me. Imagine
our shock when after a month of getting the green light we found out I
was pregnant. No one expected such quick results, and so far,
thankfully, both baby and I are doing well.

In order to ensure the best possible outcome, my life has become this
pregnancy. I'm not working so I can focus on maintaining my health along
with eliminating a stress from my life. I test 12 to 15 times a day and
continue my pre-pregnancy work-out routine. I see both a high-risk OB
and endocrine OB anywhere from every 2 to 4 weeks depending on how
things are going. Since my first month, things have progressed well
enough that we have been able to reduce visits to every four weeks.

I'm incredibly blessed that after three years, we finally have a child
that will be completely our own. However, our goal has always been to
start a family. We didn't necessarily have a rigid idea of how that had
to happen. When we thought a natural pregnancy wasn't possible, we moved
onto our next option which was adoption. We were actually in the
beginning stages of that process when this all happened, and we are not
ruling adoption out for the future. We wanted a family and were willing
to pursue any route to make it possible.

I wish you, Terri, the best of luck. I know the struggles of less than
stellar health along with not being able to conceive or maintain a
conception. My thoughts are with you, and I wish the very best for you.
All I can say is never give up because I can't tell you how many times I
wanted to just quit and accept what I thought was the reality for my
life. I need to take my own advice at times, grin, because I truly
believe that where there is a will, there will be a way.

Sincerely,
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Read my blog at:
http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
 
"History is not what happened; history is what was written down."
The Expected One- Kathleen McGowan

Message: 4
Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:11:04 -0400
From: "trising" <trising at sbcglobal.net>
To: "Blind Parents Mailing List" <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [blparent] Congratulations on your Article and on your
	precious	little one!
Message-ID: <A7EFDBC717C34EAE95886AFC3E8928FF at userPC>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="iso-8859-1"

Congratulations Bridgit on a really well written article and on your
pregnancy. My husband and I have been trying since we got 
married almost seven years ago, and still no baby. I was born with septo
optic dysplasia, which involves endocrinological problems 
due to an almost nonexistent pituitary gland, along with total blindness
from a lack of optic nerves. Individuals ask me if I would 
like to see given the chance. I surprise them by saying I would fix
other health issues rather than my blindness.

Terri Wilcox