Anyway, I have a lot going on - more than I can probably express today. My energy has been very low lately. I've been having some annoying pain under my left rib cage. I'm constantly bloated. My hip bones and rib bones are tender to the touch. I just don't feel "right". I finally, after avoiding it for too long, I went to my doctor. She is in the process of running tests. My blood work is "normal". I'm grateful that nothing major showed up, but now I'm back to not knowing a darn thing. I'm being sent for a CT scan later this week, as well as seeing a gastroenterologist tomorrow. (I think I spelled that correctly, Lord knows I can't say it) It's a weird place to be. Not knowing what might be wrong. Your mind plays tricks on you. God FORBID you Google your symptoms! I'm sure I'm slowly dying. On one hand, you want them to say "nothing is wrong, you'll be okay". On the other, you want a diagnosis and treatment to make you feel better. Hopefully it's only constipation or something silly like that, but the not knowing stage is pretty darn frustrating. My "gut" tells me it's probably all in my gut. I hope it's an easy fix.
Other than that, I am potentially looking at another job lay-off. My job as an Infant/Toddler specialist is state funded, and the cuts are pretty deep here in NC, as in most states. I'm only part time, so therefore, the first to go. I'll know more in the next few weeks. Two job lay-offs in one year is a pretty big shot to one's ego - let me tell you. I am trying to stay opitimistic. Sadly, losing the Infant/Toddler program means more than just losing my job. It means losing services to child care providers and families with infants and toddlers in child care. The program does good things, and a lot of people depend on it. It's sad to see how all the "little people" are still being SHAT on!
One big door that opened for me since my other job lay-off earlier in the year, is that I took a big step and started working toward my Doula certification. If you don't know what a Doula is check out my (work in progress) website. http://www.bestnestdoula.webs.com I don't have the energy to explain it all right now. I was trained in both Birth & Postpartum Doula work. The entire certification process is lengthly, so I'm not officially "certified" yet, but have started working some both privately and with a great non-profit agency called "4th Trimester". More on that another time.
I toured a new birthing facililty today at one of the local hospitals. It's called The Baby Place. Pretty neat. They have valet service, massage therapy, spa rooms, cozy birthing rooms where baby's nest in with mom, NO formula allowed (alleluia), breastfeeding friendly.... It looks like I was in the right place at the right time when I asked if they needed volunteers (networking, baby!) b/c the coordinator over the unit called me later at home and wants to see if I can volunteer at the "boutique" assisting mom's with breast pumps, baby wraps and that sort of thing. She is open and willing to me using the opportunity to get Doula clients. It's a good "in". I think good things are on the horizon.
One other good thing about the Doula work is it's a great way for me to tie in my photography - as I'm able to offer great "packages" to my Doula families. I leave you with some from one of my first Postpartum families. Looking back to why I was re-inspired to blog again today...the Circle of Life continues...
Sweet little Etta.
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