Hey All,
So it hasn’t been long since my last blog but I know that some people had difficulty accessing the blog I did last week so I thought I would write again now.
It’s been another productive week. We have bought a lightweight car seat that fits on my lap. Now we need to get the straps made to hold it in place. We have also bought a drop side crib for upstairs to go next to the bed and a similar one which is height adjustable for downstairs. If we had one that was not drop side and adjustable I would struggle to reach in and pick the baby up. Also, Louie is tall so having the option of raising it is helpful. We have struggled to find a drop side cot bed for when he is too big for the crib  so we are buying a little drop side cot which will last until he is about 2 years old. We would have liked a cot bed as they last longer  but they don’t really exist with drop side and they are quite big which makes them  difficult for me to access.
I need to say a big thank you to my Mum, Dad, and Louie who finished the nursery this weekend. We have a perfect table as a changing unit. Just a white table on legs. Just the right height for my chair to go underneath. Only 16 pounds too. It all looks so lovely up there now. Just waiting for the blinds.
I have followed advice from my consultant and started to pack my hospital bag. It’s tough as he may not come early. We have just got a few dinky vests and size one nappies. If we don’t need them, we will donate them to charity.
I have really noticed the difference in my comfort levels this week, I am fine in my chair for a few hours but then my tummy just feels cramped and I have to change position. I think this will only get worse. On a positive note, my previously slightly elevated blood pressure is now nice and low which reduces the chances of early labour. Let’s hope it stays that way. It should do if I keep going with the Clexane  and Aspirin.
The baby really kicks now too. Very reassuring. I have a big day on 7th June. Going to the hospital to have my next heart scan. A pregnant lady’s heart is under most stress at 28 weeks pregnant. This is therefore the time when any side effects of the chemotherapy I had will show on a scan. I will then see the consultant and the anaesthetist. They will assess my spine to check if they can administer an epidural in between the metalwork. I am hopeful they can as they have done so before even since my surgery. We will also have a growth scan the same day and every three weeks thereafter.
We have a consultant appointment this week and then in three weeks we have our anti-natal classes. Morally you wouldn’t go until 30 weeks but we have been advised to attend these classes earlier due to the increased risk of premature labour.
I also have some great news on the Carer front. We have found three ladies who we hope to employ. Finishing the interviews this week. Fingers crossed.
My niece Grace who is 2 has been staying with us this weekend. I have had lots of practice at lifting her on and off the stair lift. She loves it and loves riding on my lap. She isn’t phased by my chair because she has known no different. I’m sure our baby will enjoy the free rides too.
Thank you everyone for your support. Lots of love.

Hello All,
It’s been a busy week this week. I had Monday off work as I had a private horse riding lesson. It was nice to ride on my own and really helped my legs.
We then had our 20 week scan. Everything is fine with our baby. He was a bit naughty though and was quite happy to move his legs and arms but refused to change positions to allow the lady scanning him to view his spine. She was doing a thorough check for lesions and curvature (well she was trying to anyway). I had to go to the toilet to see if moving from bed to chair etc would make him move. He still refused so the lady had to get a more senior radiologist to come in and  check his lumber spine. They were both happy with everything and his growth is bang on track except for his long legs which I think he gets from his Daddy and Grandad Billy.
Whilst I was there I also had the hooping cough vaccine. I have had a sore, swollen arm all week which is normal but annoying when you use your arms  for moving around.
The dressage competition went well today. Lisa the pony was a good girl considering it was her first competition. She stopped when asked and I was pleased with my score. It was such a beautiful sunny day.
Still battling to find a carer. We have a new recruitment agency helping us now and they are really good. We have a few possibilities  to follow up so fingers crossed.
As I am sat here writing this, the baby is kicking away, such a lovely feeling but it’s a shame he stops as soon as someone else tries to feel.
My new bath cushion arrived so bath time will be much easier now. Someone from my work is also coming around tomorrow to set up a more suitable work station. I get neck pain when I lean over my laptop for long periods so want to ensure I have a better posture when I work from home more frequently as the pregnancy progresses.
Anyway, I will blog again soon but please share and feel free to ask me any questions.

Evening All,
So we are at the half way point as I am 20 weeks pregnant today! I am currently sat on a train to Birmingham travelling to spend the weekend with two of my university friends. I thought I would use this  time as an opportunity to update you all on my progress
I have noticed some real changes over the last 3 weeks or so not only in the fact that I now have a bump but also in that some tasks are getting more difficult. As I do not have much movement in my legs, every transfer I do from my chair to the toilet etc requires me to put all of my weight on my arms. Obviously the baby isn’t weighing much but the weight of the fluid is making me feel that bit heavier and moving that bit more challenging. When you only weigh 6.5 stone, an extra few pounds is a big difference on your arms. The hill from work is also more difficult. I have to stop for two rests now whereas before I got up there quicker than most people walking.
I am having a special bath cushion delivered on Monday. Pulling myself in and out of the bath on my own is no longer safe. The cushion goes in the bottom of the bath and as you inflate and deflate it, it lowers and raises you in and out of the tub. Elsa the cat loved it when I trialled it!
I have been suffering with heart burn. This is more common in women who are pregnant but especially those who are small. My curved spine means my organs aren’t quite where they should be and it’s all a bit squashed in there. When the stomach is compressed, it makes more acid. Leaning forwards to put my shoes (which I do because my legs aren’t that flexible) makes the burning worse. Never mind, it will all be worth it when baby arrives.
Louie gave the nursery it’s first coat of paint last weekend. As the baby may come early, I want to be prepared. My lovely Mummy and Daddy are coming at Easter to help build the furniture. That is one thing I can’t do is decorate but I am lucky to have support around me.
We still haven’t found a Carer but the latest advert is on my Facebook page. Please share. There must be someone out there somewhere. I have an agency who can help as back up but they can’t transport the baby in the car so it’s not an ideal scenario.
I am still injecting blood thinners and taking Aspirin. When you don’t move you are more at risk of clots. I am still riding and have stayed off my Baclofen. I am even doing a dressage competition next Friday. I hope my jacket does up!
We are buying the car seat this weekend to send it to be adapted and Dad will do the changing table at Easter. It’s hard to buy clothes and other essentials as I don’t know when our little boy will arrive. Don’t want to waste money on premature baby clothes in case they aren’t needed.
We have our 20 week scan on Thursday. We will be having slightly more detailed imaging taken of the baby’s spine due to them being unsure if my cancer was present in the womb. They have reassured us that it rarely runs in families but it’s good to have the check.
Anyway, I will blog again after the scan and my competition on Friday. Take care everyone x