Wednesday morning I started having sharp pains in my abdomen, about 3 inches above my hernia. They were infrequent, but bothered me throughout the day. I worried a little that they might be contractions, but my stomach didn’t get tight, so I didn’t worry a lot. I mostly just felt sad.
During the night they got worse. A lot worse. I felt like I was going to vomit with each one, I couldn’t move, and they were happening every couple of minutes. I woke up Steve, he said a prayer with me, I decided they were the world’s most horrible gas pains, and I did my best not to move the rest of the night. It was the first time I’ve ever thought to myself “If someone asks me where I am on the 1-10 pain scale, this is definitely a 9.” They got better, I got a few minutes sleep, and as the day progressed I started to feel a little better.
I had an OB appointment Thursday morning, so I talked to my doctor about it and he examined me. It seems likely now that I was experiencing a strangulated, or incarcerated hernia that somehow managed to relieve itself. The part about it “relieving itself” is fairly unlikely, however, in the course of history. That doesn’t happen. A strangulated hernia requires emergency life-saving surgery, which would have been even scarier since I’m 28 weeks pregnant. But I’m okay, and my baby is okay, and I know that it was through the power of prayer.
I have a strong testimony of prayer. I know that my Heavenly Father loves me, that I am one of His daughters, and that he is aware of my needs. I know that He loves to answer sincere prayers, and that His blessings are available to everyone. I also recognize that the answers don’t always come the way we expect or want them to, and that sometimes He has to answer with a “no.” But my perspective is so tiny, and His covers each person and all time.
So now my weight limit has changed from “no lifting anything 20 lbs or more” to “no lifting” and I’m told to spend as much time as possible laying down. Poor Evelyn is so unhappy with me. Bed rest may be likely in my future. For now, however, I’m counting my blessings and I’m so grateful for what I have been given.
