Today I met my sister's hump and she met mine.
Does that sound weird?
My sister Stephanie is in Arizona where doctors have inserted a balloon-type mechanism into her back. As this balloon expands so does the healthy skin, which creates a double hump on her shoulder. With this harvested skin they will be able to fix the skin on her neck and chin, thus helping her with mobility in those areas. I feel like a scientist explaining all this.
Chup had some business to do in Phoenix, so me and the little guy climbed aboard the plane with him. After we landed this afternoon we went over to visit The Nielsons. We found all to be well, the children were as spicy as ever and The Chief fell madly in love with Ollie and Gigs all over again.
We spent a good time in the backyard playing on the grass. What a novelty. February and soft grass.
Claire and Jane who have been skeptical of my pregnancy from the beginning finally admitted that my forward hump was indeed baby-induced.
"Is it like been pregnant, with your hump backwards?" I asked Stephanie noticing that she had to avoid certain positions. Like I do.
"Um. Not so much." She replied.
Of course it's not.
Truthfully, I have no idea what it is like for her. And sometimes when in crowded places I will look around and see how most people have healthy skin--unburned, untreated. My sister lives a life that very few--very few--can understand. It involves daily emotional and physical pain at levels I may never feel.
Sometimes it is overwhelming to comprehend.
Still, it was nice to sit outside until evening watching Chup throw the kids all over the lawn and discuss sisterly things like maternity leggings and growing your hair down to the bum line. Dreamy.
Someday, in a few months time, we will no longer have our matching bumps. I will have a baby to show for it, and she will have a reconstructed neck and chin. And both come with added bonuses: she'll be able to lounge on her backside, and I will once again relish face-down tummy sleep.
Looking forward to it.
On dear c jane today:
Great plates!
58 Pieces of Opinion:
I'm glad you got to see your sister. she seems SO lovely!!!! :-)
-erika
theurthmama.com
beautiful.
i can't imagine what she is going through. i think about her everyday and pray for her. what a woman. i look up to her so much.
Not much one can really say except - praying for Stephanie daily!
I'm sure Steph is very uncomfortable, both physically and emotionally. The important thing is that she is here... she is very brave.
One of the advantages of her blogging personality (and yours) is that many people are aware of her situation and because they recognize her they are kinder, and likely stare less - and approach her will prayers and kind wishes
and in turn - due to the (I assume millions of) people who are exposed to Steph's situation via the bloggy world - people around the country and around the world - are likely treating people in her same situation with more kindness and understanding than they might have without Stephanie's story.
That may be cold consolation - but I see Stephanie as an inspiration - and advocate for burn victims. That may not be what she wants to be - but there is a blessing in there somewhere. I'm sure of it.
You all are in my prayers!!
You both are wonderful!!!
Hope you are enjoying our amazing weather! Today was so beautiful! Glad to have the Clark girls in AZ again :)
~me
all my best to nie- she's forever in my prayers :)
Enjoy the warmth and your visit. I'm keeping both of your "Lovely Lady Bumps" in my prayers.
Beautifully written C Jane. You are a master of words.
As always...sending prayers and love in the direction of Arizona and Utah. Two places I have never been, but it is home to some lovely folks...
Oh, how I love your sister! God bless her!
It's funny, but I never did go back to sleeping on my tummy after all of the kids were born. Never did feel right for me again AND, it hurt my neck. Glad you got to go and see Nie. I know she loved the visit!
I understand the not being able to sleep on the tummy thing and that is disastrous for me cause I am a tummy sleeper. I am almost 8 months prego and the side while I sleep is all i can do for now!!!! I am so glad that you were able to go to Phoenix, there is nothing like having your sisters around to make things brighter.!!!! You guys are awesome and tell steph that we continue to pray for her, and on that note I pray you find a comfortable position also
luvs and hugs
Tif
Soft grass in Feb. That must be magic. I need to run away to AZ too.
Watching you, your mom, Lucy, and the whole Clark family interact with your sister, Stephanie, has been a privilege to me. Her inspiration to others is a seemingly endless gift and, although her trials of pain and fear are so terribly difficult, she has forever changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of strangers for the better. Trust God to use such a horrible situation for such random good. But, I wanted you to know watching you guys tenderly, awkwardly, sometimes successfully, sometimes not, deal with her is about the purest definition of family devotion I could ever imagine. I am awed in your collective midsts. Jenny
thinking of stephanie! :) she is lucky to have a sister like you! xo!
I can't imagine what Stephanie must be going through... I think of her often! I hope you guys have a great visit.
And I am pregnant too... girl I DREAM of sleeping on my stomach again! AHHHHHHHHHH it will be so VERY nice to have a good nights sleep (ha after baby arrives... ha ha ha ha ha ha) with my leg kicked up to the side on my stomach. SO dang dreamy! Sorry I related to that maybe a little too much:)
Glad to hear that things are going well for Stephanie and her beautiful family! You are both very inspiring women and I look forward to reading your posts daily.
On another note, you were in my dream last night...we were going out to dinner with a group of people and you said that you would only go if the restaurant had organic peanut butter...random, i know.
Glad you got to see your sister!
LOVE this post - LOVE the sisterly bond you share with Stephanie - I admire both of you so much - my thoughts and prayers continue to be with Stephanie - you are both wonderful.
Hugs
I am so glad you are able to spend time with your sister!
I was thinking that I missed sleeping on my tummy while I was pregnant as well. My friend missed it so much she tried to convince her husband to cut a hole in their mattress so so she could still sleep on her tummy. She said they needed a new one anyway. He said no. Just thought I'd share1
You make me wish I had a sister...
My niece was born with a birthmark on top of her head that has a high risk of being cancerous. The doctors needed to remove it but she didn't have enough skin to cover it, so they put a balloon like that--in her head! Right under her scalp. This baby had a hump right on top of her head that my sister had to inject with saline daily for more than 6 months. It looked a little odd, but now you can't even tell it was there, and she is far better off for it. I hope it's the same story with Stephanie.
What an interesting way of looking at both bumps! You are so wonderful with words. Hope you're feeling well!
haha love
I hat that people are leaving nasty comments so you have to moderate them, Courtney, although, I do understand!
And poor Steph, huh? We are all keeping her in our thoughts and prayers! As I'm sure she knows, it will all be worth it in a couple of months time.
And a new baby for you is not so far off! You are definitely rocking that pregnancy glow, Court!
I can't wait for face-down belly sleep! Please hurry little boy!
Is it weird, after everything Nie has been through, that I envy you sisters for being in such close proximity to each other? I am far, far way from mine and when I hear about your kids intermingling and coming over and you guys sitting together and chatting...aaaaa, I do feel jealous. It's nice that you have each other.
I saw on nie's blog that she's having "hunchie" blown up again. How long is this process going to take? I feel so sorry for her... it sounds very, very painful.
Praying for her, and you, and all your bumps of promise.
needed prayers for this little boy! I don't know him, but know they need all the prayers they can get.
http://stakerzxposed.blogspot.com/
So glad you could see Stephanie!
I wish I could Tummy Sleep... My Baby is 4 months old... but those lovely food-giving pillows will not let me... only about another year or so until my ENTIRE front is mine agian... Oh then in to drool-dom I come.
GREAT post!
Poignant cjane. You are fun, and then
sensitive, like a good seminary teacher. I opened up your link saying to myself, "make me laugh cjane" because that is how I first knew you and how I just have to call you, and you made me laugh out loud with your title. SERIOUSLY!!! That was your title??!! Oh, still chuckling;). Thanks girl. Needed it today.
Hope AZ is still warm and sunny.
she is so brave! our thoughts and prayers are with her! love your baby bump!
We all have our humps, now don't we?
And I believe that if it weren't for my sisters, I just may not have made it over the last one.
Humps and bumps, they come and go...
but sisters are forever.
(can't wait to see the new life both your humps will bring)
Chup's business was at my work. As I was looking at him with that "you look really familiar" look, I realized who he was. It was like meeting one of my favorite characters from a book. You are amazing and I thank you eternally for sharing your thoughts, your feelings, your opinions, and your family with us.
I have been reading your sister's blog... poor thing! Not that she wants people to feel sorry for her. She is just amazing! I didn't realize exactly what it is for, so I am glad that I am following both of you. :)
Your sister is AMAZING! seriously and she is lucky to have you!
tara
I love the way both Nie and you write - but I finally figured out why Nie's posts seem so familiar - the words she uses, etc. remind me of Anne from the movie Anne of Green Gables. Just today, saying she is in peril (and I know she is - bless her heart) reminds me of Anne. And treasuring vintage, embracing tradition...calling her husband "Mr." ~ love it. Love you, too! L in AK
so glad stephanie is spending time with her family. my thoughts and prayers are with her and everyone! if she had her comments on i would tell her myself!
i am going to see MY only sister tomorrow: i am in florida and she is in California so i know how lovely sister time is. enjoy each other. (i know you are)
Hello, I discovered your blog a few months ago from stephanies. Just thought I would tell you that I think you are an awesome chica and I LOVE your blog. You have an amazing family and a talent for sharing things in such a way that I feel like we are friends even though we have never met. Also, you have a funky and cool retroish style that is to die for! Love it!
Ps your son is ADORABLE, and hilarious!
I can't believe you compared your bump to Stephanies... and I REALLY can't believe you asked her if it's like being pregnant except for on her back. Are you ok? WOW...
Your sister is amazing! She reminds me of the character out of "These Is My Words". Someone who keeps going forward even when things seem impossible.
Ok and I just have to say one other thing, but be honest. Did you have the Black Eyed Peas song going through your head when you wrote this? If you did, it made me laugh!
I'm sorry but there's really no comparison here...try being more sensitive for your sister's sake.
Good luck to your sister and your pregnancy.
Funny header! You are awsome!
Your family is amazing! The way you support each other!
I think there is a song called "My Humps" --possibly by the Black eyed Peas??? It may not be appropriate but maybe a little laughter for the both of you would be awesome! You could just change the words to "My Bumps".
Really....I'm a total stranger but read both your blogs daily and continued to be inspired! I pray for your family and especially for Stephanie and her husband and kids! Keep keeping on!
hello, miss cjane! don't know if you remember this old gal from the old ward, but i don't think i have taken the opportunity to tell you congrats and how happy, happy i am for your upcoming bundle! i still remember a day long ago when we both sat in my living room talking about how hard it was to have kids. and now we are both on our seconds! pretty dang cool if you ask me! much love to you and your beautiful family. oh, and your sister just rocks. she is amazing. as are you!
I found Nienie a few months ago and I have been inspired every day since. She is a courageous woman. I have enjoyed your blog too until this last entry. How can you possibly compare or find humor in your two situations, especially knowing how badly Stephanie wants another baby. Sometimes in an effort to be funny we can take very serious matters and make light of them. I don't think you meant to offend but make sure you don't sacrifice feelings for a little bit of "funny". I think you're a better sister than that.
It is so good you can be with your sister, being sisters, and talking sister things. I talked to 2 of mine today and it brightened up my whole day--I know what it's like to need sister time.
I cried when I read this post today. Your love for Stephanie warms my heart. You are both blessed.
--Mari
I didn't say anything because I thought I'd get "moderated". Maybe I will. I just have to say that I also thought it was a bit insensitive to compare your baby bump to the hump on Nie's back and ask her if it felt like being pregnant! She is a dear, forgiving soul for not being upset with you.
I didn't say anything because I thought I'd get "moderated". Maybe I will. I just have to say that I also thought it was a bit insensitive to compare your baby bump to the hump on Nie's back and ask her if it felt like being pregnant!
***************
What she said. Especially because Stephanie wants a baby so badly.
Holy Smokes! cjane must be asleep at the wheel. People are getting to say what they want to on here and aren't getting deleted!! Go wild folks, while you can.
I've been thinking about you and Stephanie today and remembering yu both in prayer as you spend this special time together. I just wanted to let you know how special it is to read your thoughts on your sister.
--Mari
God bless you, sweet Stephanie. I only comment here when a post of Stephanie's pulls at my heart. Her recent posts have moved me. You are brave Stephanie. And how you make yourself focus on the positive is praiseworthy.
As well as we readers feel we know this family, I am amazed that some people feel like they can, and should, instruct C Jane on what to say or not say to her sister.
No, not telling her what to say, just pointing out her insensitivity.
so i was thinking about the comment in question. and i, too, thought it was kind of insenstive when i first read it, but then i started thinking about my relationship with my sister. she's been through some hard and ugly stuff and i've always been able to ask her questions about her life and her thoughts and feelings that i would never ask anyone else in the world. not even a very best friend. and i think she would say this kind of dialogue is reciprocal. i can't speak for this family, but i know that i would much rather have my sister ask questions that are a little insenstive than ever feel like she had to tiptoe around me (we're very stream of consciousness in our chatting). that would completely change the flow of our relationship. and when things are hard or sad or bad, i really need my relationship with my sister to be consistent.
My mom was burned over about 60% of her body as a little girl. She only survived because she had an identical twin and doctors willing to experiment with the new-fangled idea of *grafting.* I posted about it here, once--about the way our lives intersect and the random becomes the miraculous. I'm sure my mom would be happy to chat with Steph if she ever needed to talk with someone who's been through that kind of pain. my email is kerryspencer at byu dot edu. xoxo
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