Lisa Marie Taylor - BEATS THE ODDS!

Lisa's Story: "When I was fifteen years old, I was diagnosed with a rare and sometimes fatal bone marrow disease called Aplastic Anemia. Doctors told me and my family that the best bet to treat this disease was a bone marrow transplant. Everyone in my family was tested, and thru the grace of God, my younger sister Kathryn was a perfect match. The doctors said that to be any more of a perfect match, we would have to have been twins! I underwent chemo therapy and radiation before receiving my sister’s bone marrow in June of 1994. Before my treatments, I was told that I would most likely never be able to have a baby due to the side effects from the radiation. It seemed a small price to pay at the time in order to regain my health. Sure enough, over the next five to seven years, I had to take a hormonal supplement to help make my body more “normal”. In fact, whenever I had my own hormone levels checked, the answer was always the same- I was menopausal. Then, in 2005 I was diagnosed with early stage thyroid cancer and thru some additional testing & surgeries that I had done at the time, I found out that my hormone levels were back to normal and all systems seemed to be up and running. In the meantime, I met my now husband and the love of my life. We were married in September of 2006 and to our great surprise, I became pregnant just three months into our marriage. Owen Patrick was born nine short months later in September of 2007. I truly never expected to have a baby and was so thankful that God had counted us worthy to be the parents of Owen. As I have learned, you should never limit the miracles that God can perform as we are happily awaiting the birth of our second child, a girl, just before Christmas."

How did you feel during your pregnancy? "During both of my pregnancies, I had some morning sickness which was really all day sickness and a lot of fatigue which lasted until about week 15. With my current pregnancy, I had a metal taste in my mouth most of the time until around week 20. Other than that, my first pregnancy was great and this one has been great so far!"

Thanks to Lexington Aesthetics for sponsoring gifts!

Any advice for women in early pregnancy?
"The fatigue of early pregnancy is intense, so rest as much as you can. Also, early in pregnancy, 40 weeks can seem like a long time, so try to take it one day at a time and you’ll be amazed at how fast it goes. Every birthing experience is different, so don’t let any one scare you with their birthing story."

Helpful resources? "What to Expect When You’re Expecting”, Babycenter.com

How you have prepared? "I wasn’t prepared for the extreme fatigue that sets in after you get home with your baby. I have looked back on those first few weeks and there’s a lot that I just don’t remember. I learned quickly to nap when the baby napped which really helped a lot."

Healthcare provider "Dr. Sharon Steele"

Hospital or Midwifery "St. Joseph East"

Is being a mom what you expected? "Being a mom is so much more than I ever expected. I have always looked up to and cared deeply for my own mother, so to actually become a mom was really a dream come true. I have realized that being a Mom is a very special calling and that along with my husband, we are responsible for molding our children into the kind of people we’d like to see them become."

What's the best thing so far about being a new parent? "The pride & joy that I feel every time Owen learns something new!"