After a Month Long Absence….

Family Life Pictures 2015-1-73I’m back!

Wow. It’s been over a month since I last posted a recipe. I don’t think I’ve ever been away from blogging for more than a week since I first started. That certainly wasn’t the intention. In fact, before I had my c-section, I made sure to store up about a month and a half worth of blog posts in advance to post while I was recuperating.

A lot has happened in the past month, and even though I had those new recipes developed and photos taken, I just did not feel well enough to edit photos and work on transferring the recipes from my handy dandy notebook to a blog post.

I never expected to have such a hard time recovering after the c-section. I thought that after having the baby I would be back to my normal self and feel good again. That was not to be.Family Life Pictures 2015-1-48

I lost so much weight after having the baby that the doctors decided to put me on TPN for a little while to give me a boost of nutrition. (TPN is total parenteral nutrition, basically nutrition given intravenously. It’s a mixture of electrolytes, proteins, lipids, vitamins, etc, that you would normally get through the gastrointestinal tract that is given intravenously.)

“When it rains, it pours”, as they say. My incision was not healing properly, my GI system was acting up like crazy (I’ll spare you the details there) and my electrolytes were wacky (for those of you in the medical field – I was getting 4-5 grams of magnesium IV every day). I was dealing with so much pain I could hardly function. I also ended up getting a blood infection in my PICC line which meant I had to spend a week in the hospital and get IV antibiotics for a few weeks and get another PICC line in my other arm. (A PICC line is a peripherally inserted central catheter, that is a more permanent type of IV, through which I’ve been getting IV fluids, TPN, IV medications and lab draws.)

Family Life Pictures 2015-1-46

Family Life Pictures 2015-1-47Throughout this pregnancy, I’ve been to more doctor’s visits than during the rest of my life combined.

Family Life Pictures 2015-1-44I was getting so discouraged and just felt miserable all the time. Every time I would start to feel better, I would eventually have one setback after another. I just begged God for a little relief.

My only comfort and distraction was my precious baby boy and my sweet, caring husband. Even though we were confined to the house and couldn’t really do anything fun, at least I could cuddle with Nathaniel, talk to him and just enjoy my little baby.Family Life Pictures 2015-1-43
It was scary to realize that week after week I just wasn’t getting better. I spent the last 8 months confined to the house and even though I am an introvert and a home body, after a while it started to feel like the walls were closing in.

Despair and dejection have a way of closing in when you’re sitting at home alone, not having any energy to get anything done, in extreme pain and simply feeling wretched. Sergi had to take off a lot of time from work when I was hospitalized, for all the doctor’s visits and on days when I felt especially bad.

Family Life Pictures 2015-1-55So many times when I just didn’t have any strength left to pray and felt hopeless and scared, I knew I had to lean on a strength that wasn’t my own. I made a playlist of all my favorite songs a while ago and it was especially soothing to turn it on and listen to it.

The song “Shoulders” by the band For King and Country was a favorite of mine.

Finally, this past week and a half I started to feel better. Thank God!

I went for a walk around the neighborhood with the baby all by myself, just breathing in the fresh air and savoring the feeling of being pain free and feeling happy!

Family Life Pictures 2015-1-64I am finally off the TPN and hopefully my labs will be normal and I won’t need to have any more IV intervention. If all goes well, I’ll finally say good bye to my PICC line and Lovenox. What a celebration that will be! Sergi and I recently counted that I’ve had more than 450 shots in the past 8 months. That’s right. That wasn’t a typo – a minimum of 2 every single day, not counting all the other ones, such as B12 injections, Rhogham, and lab draws when I didn’t have the PICC line. I’m beginning to feel like a pincushion.

Family Life Pictures 2015-1-60Even though I’ve always been really grateful for good health, I will now be even more thankful. Every day that I wake up feeling good, I will be especially intentional to thank God for good health.

Last Sunday, I finally felt well enough to go to church for the first time since giving birth. As I sat in the sanctuary listening to God’s Word, I just closed my eyes and took comfort in being in the house of God and couldn’t help getting emotional and crying just a bit:).

Celebrating my first Sunday back in church by going out for brunch.

Celebrating my first Sunday back in church by going out for brunch.

On a positive note, our baby is growing, changing and becoming more alert and playful. He is such a joy to both my husband and myself. We are so grateful that God blessed us with his miracle birth.

PicMonkey CollageI look forward to finally being able to take him on walks, to the park, the beach and on errands with me. Even trips to the grocery store sound like fun.

I am slowly starting to get back to cooking again and can’t wait to share more recipes with you. I still have quite a few recipes stored up to share which I developed in February and will share with you soon. However, I still recovering and get tired very quickly, so please be understanding when I don’t answer your comments or e-mails quickly. Thank you so much for all your prayers and support. Please continue to pray for our family and for my health to continue to improve and for me to get strong again.Family Life Pictures 2015-1-65

46 Comments

  • Caitlin

    Hi Olga! I read your blog and love your recipes 🙂 Just wanted to say that I’ll be praying for you and your sweet family during this crazy time! I also am still recovering from a complicated delivery in March, and am so encouraged by your perseverance. Even during all the difficulty, God is using you to bless others! God bless xxx

  • Viktoriya

    Olga! You are such an inspiration! Praise God for his healing process even if it’s taking longer than you expected. I enjoy cooking your recipes for my family and always get wonderful feedback. Thank you and may God bless you even more! Praying for you and your family!

  • Tanya

    Three words “you are a blessing” May God strengthen you physically and spiritually.
    “What a blessing it is to be a blessing…”

  • Jules4v

    I am so glad you are feeling better. Our sons are exactly a month a part. I too had a c- section and was on many medications to keep myself and baby alive. My first day to church was on Easter I cried the whole service in awe and wonder of our gracious God. When I finished my levonox shots we celebrated with ice cream.hope you recover fast praying for u guys

  • Lena

    Dont even stress about not posting on your blog, just take care of yourself and your baby. I am praying that you will get all better soon. That last photo of you and your baby is just precious. So beautiful!

  • Lyuda

    Praying for you!! You story is inspirational and encouraging, reminds me that God is always faithful. Hang in there girl, and enjoy the good in life. 🙂

  • Nina

    My dear child! Reading your blog and crying! You are such a blessing and inspiration to me and to many of us following your blogs! I am amaized of how much you been through, amaized of your strengths and positive attitude, amaized of your faith! I know you cried many times during the days and duting nights, but it’s not in your writing! May our Heavenly Father hold you and your family in His strong hands, and may you find comfort in Him always! You have an adorable and precious child and a husband- man of God! Be blessed!!!!!

  • Natasha

    I love your story, your life and your little family ! I enjoy reading your blog so much! Thank you for sharing your miraculous adventures with all of us! God bless you sweet girl.

  • Anna

    Oh how happy I am that you are feeling a bit better! Health is such a gift! This hard time was a chapter in you life for a reason, but none the less I am ecstatic that you are Lord willing moving on the the next chapter! Which will hopefully be full of Delight in the Lord and endless joy!!! 🙂

  • lyuda voytovich

    HI Olichka ! every time I read your post updates I cannot do it without crying. You are a very strong woman. What you went through in half of your life, most people don’t get even close to in their entire life time. I’m so happy that our most awesome and almighty God has given you such precious little joy , a child ,a miracle that testifies there is nothing impossible for our God. Your baby boy is so precious and adorable, love his smile :)). I know that your little baby is your encouragement and strength to get through those difficult times. I will keep you in my prayers so that you may completely recover and feel better than ever. Thank you for sharing your experience, your struggles and joy with us . it really makes me to think twice, be more thankful and see that my problems are not problems at all. I would really like to visit you if you don’t mind . if you are up to it let me know your address so I can meet your little miracle and you can meet mine :)).

  • Yelena

    So happy to see you back! May God give you strength and you get stronger every day! Your smile is contagious! Keeping your family in our prayers!

  • Valya @ Valya's Taste of Home

    I can’t even imagine going through what you when through. No matter how hard my pregnancy is ( the most difficult out of all) I’m thankful to God, because it can be so much worse. Following you through all your pregnancy and recovery, you are such an inspiration to me to stay strong and not complain. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Stay strong Olga! We prayed for you, God answers prayers! Sometimes it’s just to hard to wait. You will be in my prayers Olga! May God continue healing your sores.God’s blessings to your family!!! 🙂

  • Julie

    I went to church yesterday and King and Country were there leading the worship. They sang this song. My eyes got teary listening to the words. I just wanted to say you are so brave, and you are such an inspiration to everyone. We all love you and are praying for you! May God Bless your family. Also, Nathaniel is so handsome! 🙂

  • Tatyana

    Olga,

    You are an amazing woman! Thank you for sharing your story. Keeping you in thoughts and prayers.

    Tatyana

  • oksana kaftanatiy

    Olga, you are such a strong and beautiful person! As i read your post I cant hold back my tears, looking at your life and what you have been through makes me so thankful for everything i have and everything i go through. I pray our heavenly father will touch you with His strong healing hand and may you be restored to fullness! You are such an inspiration to so many people and i thank God for your blog! Your family is in my prayers!

  • Tatyana

    Olga, praying a lot for you. Being a nurse myself and actually taking care of patients on TPNs, etc., on daily basis, I completely understand how you feel. You and your precious family are in God’s hands. May He bless you with good health. You are an inspiration to me and to many. God bless your family.

  • Inna

    Милая Оличка!! Во имя Иисуса Христа будь полностью здорова и восстановлена!! Ранами Иисуса Христа мы уже исцелены!! Всякой немощи и болезни и всяким симптомам я приказываю убраться вон во имя Иисуса Христа!! Я говорю твоему телу полное исцеление , восстановление и жизнь!! Слава Иисусу Христу за Его страдания и пролитую кровь !! Будь здорова телом, духом и душой!! Благословений тебе! С уважением Инна. Ты прекрасный человек Оленька, и помни Он всегда за тебя!!

  • Vera

    Dear Olga so happy you feel better! Praying for your full recovery. May God bless your beautiful family. You are such an inspiration for all us! 🙂

  • Deb

    May God bless you and your special family with all that you are in need of at this time. So glad you are beginning to recover. Looking forward to new posts to your blog. Let us know of your progress as we have missed you and hope for all good things for you and family.

  • Irina

    Olga, I’m so happy to see you are back! I bet you had everyone here worried about you.
    Glad to hear you are feeling so much better and you are also looking great!! Little baby is so precious!!
    All the best wishes to you and your family!

  • Olga Andron.

    Olga, I am so glad that you are finally feeling better. You are such an inspiration to many of us. Sometimes I start complaining about my pregnancy but then I always compare myself to you and my little discomforts are so minute to what you went through. You are truly a warrior!!! May God continue His healing in your life and bless your family. Your son is just a miracle and so adorable!!!! God bless you dear and our family will keep yours in our prayers : )

  • Moms Dish

    Hi Olga, thank you for sharing your update. I am so happy your are getting better. I have been visiting your blog from time to time waiting for an update. Your boy is adorable. Get well dear!

  • Julie

    Thank God you are feeling better. May God bless you, your husband and precious Nathaniel aboundentely. May He give you strength and full recovery. You are a beautiful soul. I realize we are so different in our walk before God, but I am sure of one thing; it’s the unity I feel through Gods love no matter how diff we are. You are an encouragement in my life and blessing. I wish for God to bless you in everything! I love your recipes, very rarely post but very often cook from your website. Thanks and God bless. I love you with the love of Jesus.

  • Joyce

    I was so concerned when I did not get a blog post from you. Every day I tried to really pray for you and awaited anxiously for a post from you. Both my husband and I were trusting God for a miracle for you. Was so relieved to get this post. I won’t stop praying for you. We lived for years in Estonia where we moved in the early 1990’s and founded a Russian speaking church. We had many wonderful years there and so love the Russian people. Many came to Christ while we were there. We built our church by evangelizing in the streets and outdoor markets and so many came to know Jesus as Lord and their lives were amazingly transformed. We had a church and bible school. Even the Russian grandmothers would often walk many miles in deep snow to hear and learn about Jesus. Bless you and know that He has good plans for you and your family and never forget that He loves you and so do we! And we won’t stop praying for you!

    • ElizabethS

      Hi Joyce! That’s so interesting about Estonia because I have had contact with believers there too, in Johvi. We have ministry partners there.

      • Joyce

        Such a big part of our hearts and lives. Our years there in Tallinn was the most wonderful of our lives. How we loved the Estonians and the Russians. Estonia is the most beautiful nation on earth. We traveled to many places in Estonia to minister and tons of places in Russians and many of the former Soviet States. We love each place and the all the wonderful people we met. How glad the people in Estonia…both Russians and Estonians were to hear about Jesus. In 1990 when we started there the people used to follow us down the streets to see us for we were some of the first Westerners they had ever seen. How they loved the music we played and sang in the streets. and love the word of God we preached in our newly founded church. How we pray for Estonia now and for our people and all the people there. May God keep them safe and free.

  • Norma

    Dear Olga — I was so relieved to see your post in my inbox this morning! I have been very worried about you during your absence, and knew there had to be major troubles going on in your life for you to be silent for so long. I haven’t commented before but have been reading your blog for probably a year now, and also caught up on all the archived stories. During all this time I have come to feel that I know you and your family quite well, and thus was seriously concerned for your well-being and that of Nathaniel and Sergi. What a joy it is to finally know you are on the way to being well again, and to see Nathaniel smiling (beautiful!!!) and obviously happy and healthy. Thank you for making the effort to let this virtual “friend” know you are better now, and to provide us with such a detailed account of your painful journey. I write this with love and best wishes for you always — Norma

  • Katy | Her Cup of Joy

    Hi Olga,
    I am so glad that you are gaining your strength and health back! Praise God! I will be keeping your family in my prayers, I have been checking your blog lately and have been worried! You are an amazing woman, just know that you have many people praying for your health daily. Your son is an adorable, happy, miracle baby; he looks just like your husband!

  • ElizabethS

    Olga, I’m so glad to hear you’re feeling better. I could echo what everyone else has said. 🙂 I remember my first time back at church after giving birth. They were playing the song “Blessed be Your Name.” When it got to the words, “When there’s pain in the offering,” I cried so hard! It was such a fragile place to be in. Even though your trial has been extreme, I think we can all relate to those moments of begging and begging God to feel better or be delivered from a specific anguish. Thank you so much for your testimony!

  • Stephanie

    So relieved that you’re starting to feel better! I hope that you have truly turned the corner and that recovery will be easy from here on out. Praying for you and your beautiful family.

  • Oksana

    Olichka, I am so glad to hear you are feeling better now. I kept checking your website and began to worry after not seeing new posts in a while. May God bless you and your family, I hope you will be much better soon and I will keep you in my prayers.

  • Alina

    Olga! I am very happy to see u again:) I was worrying about you! I’m happy God gives u strength. Poor u so may shots! Hope u will feel all well again soon! Your boy is very handsome! Is he a quite baby? Does he sleep thru the night?
    Hope to see many more new recipes from u:)

  • Aly

    READ PSALM 46. 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-4 “BLESSED BT THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE FATHER OF MERCIES AND GOD OF ALL COMFORT, WHO COMFORTS US IN ALL OUR TRIBULATION, THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO COMFORT THOSE WHO ARE IN ANY TROUBLE, WITH THE COMFORT WITH WHICH WE OURSELVES ARE COMFORTED BY GOD.” THEREFORE WE DO NOT LOSE HEART. EVEN THOUGH OUR OUTWARD MAN IS PERISHING, YET THE INWARD MAN IS BEING RENEWED DAY BY DAY. FOR OUR LIGHT AFFLICTION, WHICH IS BUT FOR A MOMENT, IS WORKING FOR US A FAR MORE EXCEEDING AND ETERNAL WEIGHT OF GLORY, WHILE WE DO NOT LOOK AT THE THINGS WHICH ARE SEEN, BUT AT THE THINGS WHICH ARE NOT SEEN. FOR THE THINGS WHICH ARE SEEN ARE TEMPORARY, BUT THE THINGS WHICH ARE NOT SEEN ARE ETERNAL. (2 CORINTHIANS 4:16-18) “HIS ABUNDANT MERCY HAS BEGOTTEN US AGAIN TO A LIVING HOPE THROUGH THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD, TO AN INHERITANCE INCORRUPTIBLE AND UNDEFILED AND THAT DOES NOT FADE AWAY, RESERVED IN HEAVEN FOR YOU, WHO ARE KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD THROUGH FAITH FOR SALVATION READY TO BE REVEALED IN THE LAST TIME. IN THIS YOU GREATLY REJOICE, THOUGH NOW FOR A LITTLE WHILE, IF NEED BE, YOU HAVE BEEN GRIEVED BY VARIOUS TRIALS, THAT THE GENUINENESS OF YOUR FAITH, BEING MUCH MORE PRECIOUS THAN GOLD THAT PERISHES, THOUGH IT IS TESTED BY FIRE, MAY BE FOUND TO PRAISE, HONOR, AND GLORY AT THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST, WHOM HAVING NOT SEEN YOU LOVE. (1 PETER 1:3-8) THEREFORE LET THOSE WHO SUFFER ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD COMMIT THEIR SOULS TO HIM IN DOING GOOD, AS TO A FAITHFUL CREATOR. (1 PETER 4:19).

  • Elizabeth

    I have missed you. I am very happy that you are starting to feel better. Prayers and blessings for your recovery. Enjoy this special time with your son.

  • Brandy VanDeKop

    My mom, a faithful reader of yours, has turned me on to your blog and I LOVE it! You are a strong woman with an ADORABLE baby boy! Congratulations to you and Sergi… I’m glad to see you are doing better!

    • olgak7

      No, I didn’t know about this specific website. Thank you so much for pointing it out to me, Irina.
      It’s unfortunate, but many websites do this, especially Russian ones. It’s sad that they don’t have a conscience when they just steal someone else’s hard work.

  • Mary

    Sooo glad to hear things are falling in to place
    isnt that such a blessing
    Your baby looking adorable and looking so forward to your blog, because it’s awesome!

  • Janet

    I’ve been checking your page daily looking for an update after the birth of your baby. You have been in my prayers!

  • kel

    Take good care and come back slowly. I am praying for you and your family. Hugs to you through the internet….

  • Ruth Ann Vokac

    Olga, what a struggle you have had! I am sorry you had to experience all that, but having that sweet little boy is such a blessing. Keep getting better–take really good care of yourself!

    I will look forward to more pictures that show your growing family!

    You are in my heart and prayers!

    Ruth Ann

  • Inessa

    Love following your blog and making your yummy healthy recipes! Thank you for sharing your story during pregnancy and after. You are one strong woman and one strong family with one cute baby!!!! Praying for your recovery!
    -Inessa Bilak-

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.