Happy Fathers Day

I just wanted to wish each of you men in my life a very happy Father's Day. I know this blog is supposed to be about my truck through surviving Accreta and featuring other women who are going through Accreta as well, but I am going to sway just a bit on this post from my usual. Though it does have much to do with how I survived Accreta. I originally started this blog to inform friends and family members on my days in the hospital. Then it quickly turned into raising awareness about Accreta.

I have always been open with my religious views and feeling on this blog, but never really explained meanings etc because my initial audience was mainly members of my faith, or knew about the Mormon religion. We have people from all over the world viewing this blog now and people from many different faiths. Ill try to do better at explaining things so you all understand it a little more.

I want to share a few things that I haven't shared before. Men, especially my husband have played a huge and vital role in my story. I have shared with you some of the many amazing men in my journey and how they have helped me and my family throughout our journey. I haven't. Shared a few of the miracles yet and thought today would be a wonderful time to do so.

We found out that I had Accreta on Jan 22, 2013. My dear husbands 33rd birthday. We had been doing a little studying about Accreta up to that point because our doctor was suspicious that I may have it. I was optimistic and really, I was naive to its severity. My husband however was the one doing most of the research and he had a different impression of it all. Practically every website talked about death and destruction for lack of a better term. He was terrified when it was confirmed that I did in fact have Accreta. It was there that they mentioned increta and percreta and they weren't sure what form I had. Trever immediately began worrying about life without his sweetheart by his side. He kept it to himself and cherished every moment he could. It was two days later that I received a phone call from Dr. Wolfson saying that they had been talking and Dr. Clewell would be calling me in a few minutes to talk about getting me to the hospital that day or the next.

In our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints, also known as the Mormons... We have something called the priesthood. It is the power given to act in Gods name. It is given to men who are living their lives worthy of the responsibility. So if they are living a life that god would approve of... Then, he is willing to share his power with them so that they can bless others lives. The thing about the priesthood power is that it's not to bless yourself, it's to bless and strengthen others.

When you receive a "blessing" from the priesthood, it is a prayer of sorts offered in your behalf. One or more priesthood holders will place their hands on your head and say whatever god would have them say to you. I guess in a prayer we are speaking to God. In a blessing, he is speaking back. I guess you could say it is a reverse prayer.  Blessings aren't the only way he speaks to us though. When we read and study the scriptures, he speaks to us, he speaks to us through his Holy Spirit, as we pray and ponder as well. Priesthood blessings are usually administered during times of trial. An extra boost to make it through. We will be made promises, given council etc in these blessings. You don't have to be a member of our religion to receive these. They are available to all who need them. God loves each of us no matter our religion. It is up to our faith, whether or not these things actually happen. There are times where my faith isn't as strong, and I ask my husband for priesthood blessings more frequently, so I can feel closer to my Father in Heaven. Also when we are sick or hurt, we can receive blessings of healing.

I received many blessings of healing throughout my journey this year.  Usually, you don't need multiple blessings for healing. Once you are administered to, it is sufficient and you will be healed according to your faith. In my situation, there were many new complications that arose, so I frequently got blessings of healing and comfort for those new complications. Anyway... Back to the story...

Before I went into the hospital, I asked Trever if he and our dear friend, would give me a blessing. When you have a blessing of healing, one person will anoint your head with oil first. Our friend did that part. As he was anointing me, I could hear him tear up. I thought that was interesting, but didn't think much more of it. He and Trever then gave me the blessing. As Trever was talking, I remember him saying something about the Joy I would feel as I held my son and as he would call me mommy. I remember feeling such peace at that moment. I knew that I would live through the surgery and so would he. I was able to confidently go into the hospital and await that horrifying and miraculous day.
After the blessing, we started to chat. Our friend shared with us why he was so emotional. He said that he had never felt such healing power during a blessing. He felt so strongly that Heavenly Father was holding us in the palm of his hand, protecting us. Again, I was so comforted in the fact that I would be able to come home again. I was also comforted by my patriarchal blessing that night. (another blessing we receive, usually as a teenager or hound adult, to help guide us throughout our lives). Without details because my blessing is very sacred to me... It shares moments in my life that would come later in life. Things I haven't been able to experience yet. I knew that this couldn't be the end for me!

I was so thankful for that comfort. There were times throughout my hospital stay that I needed some extra comfort and a reminder from Heavenly Father. I was so thankful to have the priesthood there, to heal and comfort me.

The day of surgery came. My ward and family was fasting and praying for me and Caleb. As well as Trever and the doctors. Our dear friend David, came down to sit with Trever through those long hours. Trever was so thankful to have someone to distract him. I am so thankful that he was there to comfort my sweet husband in that scary time. Trever had not yet felt those things that I felt, so he was still bracing himself for the news of my passing. 9 hours passed without an update from the doctors. He and David sat and waited. They decided to go to the ICU in hopes of some sort of answer that night. They said that I was just being admitted there. He had no clue I was even out of surgery! I don't remember much about that night, thank heavens! But I do remember feeling like something was terribly wrong! I somehow knew in that moment that if I received a blessing, that I would be ok. I was still intebated and very drugged, but somehow I knew it would all be ok if they could just do that for me. I managed to put one hand on top of the other (like they would do on my head, and the point to Trever and David with my sausage fingers. Trever was having such a hard time understanding me. Then I heard David say, I think she wants a blessing. I felt like tapping my nose as if we were playing a game of charades and they finally got the winning ticket! I don't remember what was said, but I was able to sleep and have very little distress that night. Trever and I both know that it is because of that blessing.

A couple of weeks after surgery, I was in a rather dark place with worry and fear. My complications were multiplying and I was overwhelmed with my recovery. I again turned to my sweet husband and to my brother for a blessing. I was told that it was because of the faith and prayers of ward members specifically, and of family members that my life was spared and I would be able to carry out my life's work. I was so comforted in knowing that prayer really works. The Lord honors the prayers of the righteous. I am so thankful for the faith of those who offered up their sacrifice that day for me.

What a blessing the priesthood has been in my life. It has healed me. It has carried me through. I know that God is mindful of us and wants to speak to us. He speaks to us through his prophets. He speaks to us though prayer, through priesthood blessings, through his scriptures. I am so thankful for that knowledge. I could not have made it through this trial without the blessings of the priesthood!

I am so thankful for worthy men who honor the Lords priesthood and who see if for the responsibility that it is. I'm also thankful that I was not entrusted with that responsibility! I am thankful for the responsibility of being a mother. I know that these beautiful children were meant to come to our home. They were meant to be mine...ours... I know that the church if Jesus Christ of later-day saints is the true church. I know that God does speak to us and he does have a prophet alive on the earth today. Thomas S. Monson is the true and living prophet. I know that the priesthood is real and true.  I am so thankful for it. I am thankful for all of the amazing men in my life who have served and blessed our family. Who have sacrificed so much for me.