THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 7, 1994 TAG: 9408050477
SECTION: HAMPTON ROADS WOMAN PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 113 lines
HERE'S WHAT the past two months has been like for Debra Owen:
JUNE 10: I blew out my second pair of walking shoes today. It costs an arm and a leg, but there is something athletic-feeling about it. I didn't move enough in four years to blow out a pair of shoes before!
My weight seems to be up. It's probably just water retention, but it doesn't feel good at all. I talked to Wendy about it today, and she reminded me how unimportant that scale is. I don't know why I'm having such a hard time with that concept. Mostly I think I'm concerned about what's printed in the newspaper article, but even that shouldn't matter. Oh well, I've come a long way and I won't stop.
-
JUNE 13: Now I know why my body has been feeling strange, swelling, no weight loss, nausea . . . Yesterday I found out I'm pregnant! After nine years, I'm pregnant. I had surely given up on that concept years ago. I'm so excited! I can hardly believe I'm pregnant. I get to raise another child. What an honor.
JUNE 14: Brooke is a bit concerned about ``sharing'' her parents. She had a moment of fear. She said the baby would take all my time, throw things at her and cry. But after a long conversation and a lot of convincing, Brooke has decided to be excited about the baby . . . but she wants it to be a girl.
JUNE 29: I went to the doctor today. I met Dr. Grey. It was so pleasant to meet with a doctor that had plenty of time for my questions, a doctor who seemed patient and gentle. I'm looking forward to my experience with him. I found out I'm at least 10 weeks, my due date is Jan. 26 (I'll be 37 on Jan. 15), and I can keep up my same exercise and diet. Lane, the dietitian, knew me from the article and felt that my diet was appropriate for pregnancy. I had a serious case of toxemia in my first pregnancy when I gained about 100 pounds. Forty-five were water. It was a very dangerous situation. Although they don't know the cause of toxemia, I feel that my new way of life will prevent it. I left the doctor's office today walking on air. I'm determined to make this a healthy pregnancy.
JUNE 30: I can't believe the drastic change in my appetite. I actually gag at the thought of sweets, especially chocolate! This from a woman with a major sweet tooth. What do I want? Hamburgers, french fries, steak, baked potato, big food! I feel nauseous most of the time and when it gets close to meal time I must eat - but NOT crackers! It's weird; I don't want most of the stuff I've been eating. Pretzels and Snackwells gag me - I want BEEF! This must be a boy.
This appetite does present a challenge. I need to satisfy it, but watch the fat. I made some excellent meatball subs. I used three-cheese Prego, very, very lean meat and breadcrumbs and fresh Italian bread. It was great.
JULY 2: I cry at the drop of a hat. Keith wouldn't listen to me the other night, and he trimmed the bushes too much. I cried. Is that dumb or what? I also cried at the thought of gaining weight. I do feel a bit afraid. I worked all year to be healthy and it was so great to get smaller and smaller. Yes, I know I can still be healthy and having a child is the most awesome thing - but I do fear getting bigger and bigger.
This heat makes it hard to walk, but I must keep it up. Wendy comes on Monday; that's always a surge in my routine. I'm so thankful for her, even though I see her once a week - it helps me stay on track.
JULY 8: Keith and I could feel a slight protrusion under my belly this morning, about the size of a grapefruit, I guess. It was so neat. It's a precious little life growing in me. I wonder if it's a boy or a girl. The names we like so far are Blake and Sascha, but we're still open on that subject. We also are still working out how to add a nursery to our house. This was something that I didn't even consider to be a possibility. It's taking a while to sink in; I'm also concerned about child care. I hope to find a gentle, loving person to watch both kids in my home or in my neighborhood.
I've been working out about three times a week. I feel sort of sick all the time, and the heat is horrible.
JULY 11: Well, I guess the word is out now. My article came out yesterday and everyone is congratulating me. The phone number wasn't in the paper so I haven't heard what the readers think. I hope to hear from people next time.
Reading the comments from people who read my story was one of the most fulfilling events in my life. It made putting my weight and personal feelings in the newspaper worth the effort. I try to believe that good things can come from bad. If my personal, lifelong struggle and now my education can help or influence others, then it makes my effort a lot more meaningful. It makes my life more meaningful. I thank you all for calling and writing.
JULY 14: I'm totally amazed at my appetite. I'm hungry all the time. I'm sick hungry. I'm shaky and weak and nauseous, and a good meal is the only relief. I've stepped up my aerobic exercise. I walk with my neighbor, Lisa, who likes to go at least four miles. Also, I'm trying to ``move'' more often. I hope I don't gain weight. At least I've lost my taste for sweets and snacks. Most of the foods I eat have a good amount of nutritional value. I hope I can control my health. I admit I do have fear about my weight gain.
JULY 17: We went to the beach yesterday. It was fabulous. We haven't been in ages. The air was fresh, the water cool and I felt great! It was a great day!
JULY 20: Another fabulous day. We had our first ultrasound today. It was wonderful! What a miracle. I could see the little guy so clearly. Technology has come a long way in nine years. The technician said I definitely have a boy or a girl - big help! Hopefully, I'll know more in six or seven weeks when I have a second ultrasound. If possible, I'd like to know the sex. Right now the baby is 2.5 inches long with all the necessary parts. I'm so happy!
They asked me about amniocentesis. I decided against it. They can't discover anything that could be treated, the test is not 100 percent accurate and abortion is not an option for me. So why stick a big needle in my belly? I'm not going to do it. I just know this baby is fine.
JULY 21: Rough day. I have had an excruciating headache all day. It's my sinuses. It's so painful, and there's no relief. I hope I can sleep. I hope it's gone by tomorrow. The frustrating thing is that I've had these all my life and a couple of sinus tablets would knock it right out. I'm a pill away from relief, but I can't have any! (I was afraid of the effect it would have on the baby.) ILLUSTRATION: Photo
JIM WALKER/Staff
Debra Owen exercises with her daughter, Brooke, left, and her friend
Angelique Ferrante in Chesapeake's Great Bridge.
by CNB