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| Alex - First Christmas |
I would like to share a personal story with you. It is about a journey that my second husband and I went through several years ago when we wanted to have a child together. A journey that could only have been orchestrated by God because everything fell into place so perfectly. You see, I couldn't have any more children because when I was married the first time, I made the decision to have my tubes tied after my second child was born. I was young (25), scared, and more than a little foolish. As a matter of fact, if it wasn't for God's grace and "second chances" and for Him bringing a good friend back into my life, my husband and I wouldn't have our youngest son.
At first, we tried in vitro fertilization (IVF). If you have ever tried IVF or have considered it, you know it is very expensive. I found out that it is not for every woman either. The hormone shots were horrible for my body. I must have gained 10-20 pounds and I felt awful. I tried to remain positive. I was so sure that IVF would work for us the first time. I was so sure that God would give us a child. When I knew that it didn't work, I was crushed. We really couldn't afford more rounds of IVF and I didn't think I could go through another loss. We were not against adopting. We were considering where we should go to find out more about adopting. However, God was already working on the plan He had for us.
It was around this time that I got back in touch with a very good friend from school. We met each other in third grade and became great friends. We sang together every chance we got including the school bus ride to and from school every day! She got married in our senior year in high school and I got married a year after that and moved out of the area for several years. Our lives were actually on a similiar course. Unfortunately, we didn't always keep up with each other through the years. I believe God brought Tina back into my life for a reason. Tina is the one who told us about the possibility of having a tubal ligation reversal. I didn't know that was even possible. Tina is the one who gave us the name of a doctor in Kentucky who specializes in tubal ligation reversals. His name is Dr. Richard Levin. When I met Dr. Levin on the phone for the first time, I instantly liked him. At that time, Dr. Levin had helped over two thousand women; women with stories a lot like mine. Dr. Levin told me that he was only the vessel that God used. Dr. Levin still does tubal ligation reversals and, to date, he has helped over eight thousand women. (I wrote a testimonial for Dr. Levin in 2003 that is still on his website.)
In April of 2002, my husband and I decided that I would have the tubal ligation reversal surgery in Louisville, Kentucky. Tina volunteered to go with me to drive me back so my husband didn't have to miss work. We had so much fun on that trip and even though it should have been my husband that went with me, there is a very good reason I am glad that I had a chance to "re-bond" with Tina.
In September 2002, my husband and I found out that Alex was due in May 2003. For us, the tubal ligation reversal surgery was successful. However, I truly believe that the surgery was only successful because it was God's plan for us.
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| Tina Nash |
In March of 2004, almost one year after Alex was born, Tina left this earth and went to join our heavenly Father. Today would have been Tina's 50th birthday. So, that is why I am so thankful that I had the trip with her to Kentucky to giggle like school girls. This picture of her is one of my favorites because the Tina I remember was always laughing. I honestly did not plan the timing of this blog post to fall on Tina's birthday. I only realized after the schedule was put together that I chose December 3rd to post this story.
God bless, ladies!
Kathleen
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