My Life as an African Gypsy

Here we are, 32 weeks along.

My back went out on Christmas Eve, sending me to the ER, multiple doctors' appointments, and eventually driving to South Africa in search of a Chiropractor knowledgeable of working with very pregnant women. Thankfully we found one, I was adjusted, and I am on my way to complete recovery.

With my previous back problems and at this point in pregnancy my muscles beginning to relax in preparation for labor, it made it easy for my spine to sort of slip 'out-of-whack'. Looks like for the next 8 weeks I will need to be a little more cautious. =/

Maybe my 60 hours of constant pain was good practice for labor without pain medication, allowing me to discover "comfortable" positions for this big ol' pregnant bod of mine. Hot showers and the exercise ball were some of the only relief.


Other than that lovely experience the only other ailment has been my big fat swollen feet at the end of the days. I've never had swollen feet/cankles in my life. It's not that I find them hurting as much as just creepy looking.

Anaya has moved herself more on top of my bladder. Lovely. I have already had one little accident sneezing. I looked at Jon and said, "I have to go change; I think I peed myself!" Isn't that just one of the nice perks of this journey? I have lost all confidence in myself being able to hold it in, so I tend to frequent the toilet, I am sure well before the need. Nights are full of me trying to roll this whale of a self out of bed, waddle to the bathroom in the dark, and then climb back in bed, adjusting the 50 million pillows surround me.

Oh! (I guess I lied when I said swollen feet were the only ailment... they keep coming to me!) I no longer have room for food. Indigestion is a regular part of life now, and the desire for food is quickly diminishing. Small meals will be key I suppose. Maybe it will help the weight slow down.

I think I've gained somewhere between 22 and 25 pounds. I am not positive because this morning I was down. I think the holidays coming to a close and my lack of desire for food has balanced me out. We'll see where I end up. I'd love to stay at 30 or below, but since I still have 8 weeks, I'm not sure that's going to happen. =)

Anaya is active, what seems like all day every day. Sometimes I think she'll push right out of there! My tummy looks like rolling waves, all to the right one second and then to left the next. Nice thing was, even with all my back pain, she kept up her movements, allowing me peace of mind for her safety.

We are getting closer to being finished in her room. I am anxious to have it all ready for her. I'll post pictures when it's completed. I still need to sew curtains, but I'm waiting until my back feels up to sitting in front of a sewing machine for an hour or two.

Well, I've written a lot. Hope you feel updated! Can't wait to meet my baby girl.

Joanna -

Joanna is 26, the same age as me. Young. Her mom has died and so has her only daughter. "Bad luck," she told me. She only has her sister, who is as poor as she is, and works a lot, not allowing her to visit much, and even then is unable to bring much comfort food or drink.

I met her about 5 months ago. She had just had her right arm amputated, due to cancer. Since then her health has been deteriorating. She's back in Oncology right now. She is terribly thin. The wound where her arm was cut off has never healed. You can smell the rotting flesh. Now she has more wounds on her body; they are so deep I can see her muscles. It amazes me how the human body can keep on.

She is unable sit on her own, so when I come, she likes to sit up. It wears her out.

Fruit. Fruit juice, fresh juice... it is all she wants. It's not much, but that I can do. For her last few days, I can bring her a few comforts.

Pray for Joanna. For her pain. For her approaching death. For peace. For her soul.

Jonathan -

Jon's friend. He lived in Zimbabwe for some time, so he speaks better English than Portuguese. He loves chatting with Jon about the Lord. Jon gave him an English Bible. Jonathan hasn't seen his wife and children in a year. Before coming to Oncology he was at another clinic.

Jonathan has tumors all over his body. Recently, they seem to be growing at an amazing pace. From week to week, Jon can see the difference; they are bigger. He's having a second surgery soon.

At this point, Jon and I believe the cancer has spread too much to contain.

Pray for Jonathan. For his pain. For wisdom on when to go home and see his family... even if only for his last days. For acceptance. For his soul.

Alexandre -

A young boy, I believe to be 11 years old. He has the best smile... seriously it is contagious, beautiful, sweet, bright, etc. He holds a dear place in our hearts; we love him. He is having his last Chemo treatment at the end of this month, and he and his mother believe he is going home to live a normal full life. We unfortunately know otherwise. A nurse told our friend that the doctors have decided there is nothing else they can do for him.

Pray for a miracle. Pray for healing. Pray for time with his brothers. For his precious soul.

Lucia -

Lucia is 13. When she first arrived at the hospital, I thought she was pregnant. She is/was not. She has a massive tumor in her stomach. Lucia is precious to me. She give great hugs and kisses on my cheeks. Her nails are frequently painted. She a regular teen... other than this ugly sickness.

From what we know and have experienced, her tumor is too far progressed for the Chemo to help. She is now having new pains. They are thinking about operating. Her sweet father has grown more and more worried, as have her mother and sisters back home.

Pray for wisdom for her father. Pray for wisdom for her doctors. For her pain. For hope. For her young soul.