Baby A: Part 4

As we approached the time to make the announcement, the world seemed in need of a little good news.  On Christmas Eve, we lost my great-aunt, who was the sister to my grandfather who we had lost in January 2020.  It was this grandfather whose birthday was the twins' due date.  Upon hearing the news, I texted my cousin, my great-aunt's daughter, and let here know I was expecting.  I was hoping maybe the joy of two new souls as we lost two would be comforting.
Christmas morning, however, still wasn't quite as joyful as I hoped.  Getting up with big sister and discovering overflowing stockings and gifts from Santa was thrilling for all, but when we were getting ready to head to my mom's for festivities, I went to set down some gifts that we were taking and...Ouch!  I pulled something in my back.  Now, I had had back issues before and I know it's a matter of time, Tylenol, heat, and Bengay, it was just a disappointing event.  Luckily, mom picked up big sister and brought back Christmas dinner.
A few days later, I was still having pain and on top of the exhaustion of this pregnancy I wasn't sure what to do.  I attended the viewing for my great-aunt and felt like I could barely breathe sitting through it. The next morning, New Year's Eve, as we were prepping lunch before the funeral, I decided to call the doctor.
I called in and explained what had happened.  I added that the pain had seemed to extend to my left side.  I also noted that I had been tracking my weight gain and wrist circumference and both had increase dramatically in the last week.  The nurse on the phone just laughed and said that most people didn't keep track of things so well.  I informed the nurse that I was at 24 weeks with twins and wasn't sure if all this was a normal growth spurt or if I should come in to get checked out.  She asked when my next appointment was (four days later) and how I would rate my pain (Who knows?  What is just before tears? Maybe a 7.).  She said oh well we close at noon today, so if your pain reaches an 8 go to the emergency room...
I though, perhaps I am just being a wimp, but I am not sure how the next four months are going to go.  Needing some cheering, I posted my pregnancy announcement for the world to see, or at least my Facebook friends, I hunkered down, tried to relax, and asked my boss if I could work from home the morning of the appointment until I could get some answers.  Thankfully, he was agreeable.  Part of me wondered if the doctor would put me on bedrest.
Meanwhile, my husband, who pre-pandemic had traveled extensively for work, was preparing to leave for a meeting in Chicago the day before the appointment.  We have had lots of experience being apart and usually it is not a concern, but this time with both expressed unease  as his absence.  It was a little disappointing because this would be the first baby appointment that he had missed.  Not to skip work unnecessarily, I arranged for my father to take me to my appointment, told my husband not to worry, and asked my grandmother to come watch big sister.

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