Do you have a time of year that is evokes higher emotions than another?
For me…..that is the month of November.  Honestly, it’s my least favorite. “How can that be?  It’s a month of Thanksgiving and appreciating all that you have and the people in your life!” — you may be asking right now.  I will explain, but first I must say that it is getting better with each passing year.  I’ve found ways to replace the emotional memories with new ones…..fitness related ones.  And, we all know that exercises releases endorphins which help make us happy……they are literally our ‘happy drug’.  Therefore,  I have found that I get through this month a lot better when I have some sort of race planned. The ‘Ragnar Relay Race’  helped me tremendously this year!

I can attest to the healthy and healing powers of exercise. When I am training/exercising, I am a much happier, healthier, more focused person. Despite the fact that my long mileage runs can be stressful and physically demanding, I find that it refuels my body both physically and mentally. I feel exhausted in so many ways as a Mom, co-worker, small business owner, sister, daughter, coach, and a busy work schedule that exercise makes my focus much clearer and gives me time to find solutions to my worries.  A good sweat session clears my head and often leaves me feeling powerful and ready to conquer the world!
Endorphins & mental strength have also aided me in pushing me past where I thought my body could no longer go…..and takes me to a new goal. Now that I’ve clarified that…… onto why I could hibernate in November and all would be fine.

I live in Indiana.  This state can turn cold at the drop of a dime and starts getting dark at 5pm in November.  That’s enough to make someone curl up in a ball and hide under the covers for weeks.

The main reason I struggle with Novembeer is because I suffered 2 emotional and scary miscarriages related to November.  My first was Thanksgiving morning when I arrived at my Grandmother’s house 4 hours away.  I ended up in the hospital by 6am the next morning and experienced my first loss as a Mother.
The very next year, I was pregnant and my due date was Thanksgiving.  My Sister-in-law said, “This is a good thing!!  It’s a good omen!”  Unfortunately, I suffered a ‘partial molar pregnancy miscarriage’ 12 weeks into that pregnancy.  One of the worst days of my life……. it’s very difficult to see your baby via ultrasound without a heartbeat.  I had surgery the next day and needed to have blood tests the next 6 months to rule out possible cancer.  Talk about scary!!
Both of those miscarriages were related to November.

November is also ‘prematurity awareness’ month through the March Of Dimes. This warms my heart & creates sadness at the same time.  Personally….it’s a triumph knowing God chose me to be a Mommy to a premature baby.

Jacob Caldwell Bashford, born May 23. SURPRISE!

This picture is of my firstborn child weighing 3lbs. 15oz.at birth.  (The miscarriages occurred after Jacob was born). The picture was taken within a couple hours of him being born. Jacob Caldwell Bashford was born unexpectedly when I was 32 weeks into my pregnancy. He spent five weeks in the NICU and for a few years after that we were constantly in various doctor offices because he was constantly Ill. He came home from the hospital with heart and lung monitors which he would sometimes pull off in the middle of the night and scare the bejeezus out of us!!  He had numerous tubes in his ears and a Tonsillectomy at 18 months old.
{Every year, about 450,000 babies are born too soon in the United States. After rising by 36 percent over 25 years (1981-2006), our country’s preterm birth rate has declined by 11 percent over the last 7 years. However, the U.S. preterm birth rate remains too high at 11.4 percent, which is higher than that of most developed nations. – March of Dimes}

My first time getting to hold my baby…about a week after he was born.

Then….at the age of 2, he had a minor heart surgery to repair an open PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosis).  Basically…..it’s an unclosed hole in the aorta.
{Before a baby is born, the fetus’s blood does not need to go to the lungs to get oxygenated. The ductus arteriosus is a hole that allows the blood to skip the circulation to the lungs. However, when the baby is born, the blood must receive oxygen in the lungs and this hole is supposed to close. If the ductus arteriosus is still open (or patent) the blood may skip this necessary step of circulation. The open hole is called the patent ductus arteriosus. – American Heart Association}

My baseball player. He may be little, but he’s fierce & his love for the game is contagious!

 No worries though… Like a warrior he pulled through it!!!! He is now a handsome, active, smart, amazing baseball player at the ripe old age of 10 years old!! As he would say…. “I’m a ‘swag boss’!” (Whatever that means in 10 year old language)!!  I think in the 70’s the term was…. ‘super groovy.’  🙂

I feel it is important to bring awareness to premature births because many of them can be prevented and if the mother recognizes some symptoms, the doctors can be more proactive with her in hopes of continuing with a healthy pregnancy. I recognized the signs with my daughter at 30 weeks and we were able to keep her in the womb until week 38.  My symptoms were simply an intense low back pain and the baby starting to drop.  As a first time pregnant woman, I had no idea that was abnormal.  I didn’t even realize what it looked or felt like when the baby ‘dropped.’  In hindsight….I remember my patients and co-workers telling me “You look different today.  You look bigger and uncomfortable.” (I didn’t appreciate that too much and made a mental note to never wear that white maternity top again)!!  Now, I know they meant no harm, but that there was a noticeable difference than the day before.  I delivered Jacob the very next day.

Jacob & I at his first 5K race which my company helped to sponsor. He ran his first 5K in under 29 minutes!

Jacob & I watching our favorite Baseball Team…Cincinnati Reds!

It is November….. so I also must remind myself to be thankful… Thankful for the medical staff took care of Jacob and myself, thankful to God for allowing me to be the mother of a premature infant, thankful I delivered a healthy full term baby girl, and remind myself that I have 2 angels watching over me. ❤ ❤

I share this with you today… To bring awareness to premature births, to remind you to be thankful for the ups and downs in life which teaches a lesson… and to remind you that having a fitness goal/focusing on it and working towards it can help decrease stress & ease emotional discomfort. I didn’t exercise back then like I do now.  And if I didn’t start running about 5 years ago….God only knows the hot mess I’d be today.  I’m thankful for a body that allows my brain to push it so hard…..and for being able to reap the benefits.

I pray you all have an amazing November and don’t forget to pray for the babies who are fighting for their lives, or are in heaven, and the families who love them. A little extra prayers never hurt anyone.

For more information on pre-term labor and prematurity, please visit http://www.marchofdimes.org/mission/prematurity-campaign.aspx