Support Network Suggestions?

[jaydoc]

I am a surgeon, mother of three, married to an executive, and I had a positive pregnancy test yesterday am and this am.
We are using a combo of creighton and sympto-thermal.
Took a risk last month one time on vacation, and here we are.
I am ridiculously fertile…ridiculously.
Have worked with a Creighton nurse out of cincinnati remotely and we don’t have the best chemistry.

Real reason for post is that I am trying to locate a support site.
I am a “crazy convert” as my husband likes to call me and have spoken at the diocese Fertility conference, member of the CMA, monthly radio show on the catholic radio station, weekly adorer in adoration chapel, was up for parish council of 3,000+ family parish, etc.
I am fine with numerous children. Husband? Not so much.
He has very slowly come around. He is a Cradle Catholic with minimal to no catechetical teaching. He was not my sponsor.
The last two years have been a labor of love in bringing him closer to his faith and God. He actually went in for reconciliation this Lent, first time in over 30 years. Wow.
I am in need of a support network of other ladies. Not just for this situation, but in general.
I run a solo practice which I am working to bring under the umbrella of a larger group locally. This will not go into effect until several months after supposed delivery date. Last delivery resulted in me being off from work for 6 days, don’t ask. Was only half days, but when you are the only person who can bill and you are gone, there is no cash flow. I am on call for my patients 24-7 and service call(ER consults) about 30-50% of the month.
My goal was to push back to 3 days per week, 2 days off with kiddos, home, errands, self. Our children are very high maintenance with the eldest having ADHD and scary smart(not bragging, this is very hard work). For example, we are currently driving him up to Cincinnati every Saturday for their supersaturday program(www.supersaturday.org).

Hopefully you are beginning to understand my desperate plea for a support network. I participated in Cursillo and have a great small group, but those ladies are in different stages of their lives(either retired or not married yet and building careers). My situation is unique and I understand that. Even finding like-minded gals with the same framework in my city is difficult. This is why I was hoping for a support blog/network on the web. Any suggestions?

 

[EasterJoy]

Are there any Catholic or pro-life physicians groups in your area? How about a Catholic group of university women? Female physicians and scientists (I’m going only on personal experience) have this tendency to marry other go-getter physicians, scientists or lawyers or something of that nature, and also have this tendency to have scary-smart children, some of whom not uncommonly are also go-getters and easily bored. That might be the demographic that has the help you need.

You may not need a support “network,” but one or two close friends who can at least imagine what you’re going through. These might be places you could find them. That, and of course ask God to help you find somebody. God does have this way of lending help, when asked. Something on-line could be helpful, but it is worth finding even one or two people near you, people who obviously “have skin on.” Virtual friendship just isn’t the same as real-time friendship.

I hope you’re also getting whatever help you can with domestic tasks that can be delegated to outside help. Since your job requires you to be sharp, make that a priority, even if it is only a break-even proposition financially for the time being. As an advocate for your care, no one will ever replace what only you can do for yourself.

 

[jbarbaretta]

I am a surgeon, mother of three, married to an executive, and I had a positive pregnancy test yesterday am and this am.
We are using a combo of creighton and sympto-thermal.
Took a risk last month one time on vacation, and here we are.
I am ridiculously fertile…ridiculously.
Have worked with a Creighton nurse out of cincinnati remotely and we don’t have the best chemistry.

Real reason for post is that I am trying to locate a support site.
I am a “crazy convert” as my husband likes to call me and have spoken at the diocese Fertility conference, member of the CMA, monthly radio show on the catholic radio station, weekly adorer in adoration chapel, was up for parish council of 3,000+ family parish, etc.
I am fine with numerous children. Husband? Not so much.
He has very slowly come around. He is a Cradle Catholic with minimal to no catechetical teaching. He was not my sponsor.
The last two years have been a labor of love in bringing him closer to his faith and God. He actually went in for reconciliation this Lent, first time in over 30 years. Wow.
I am in need of a support network of other ladies. Not just for this situation, but in general.
I run a solo practice which I am working to bring under the umbrella of a larger group locally. This will not go into effect until several months after supposed delivery date. Last delivery resulted in me being off from work for 6 days, don’t ask. Was only half days, but when you are the only person who can bill and you are gone, there is no cash flow. I am on call for my patients 24-7 and service call(ER consults) about 30-50% of the month.
My goal was to push back to 3 days per week, 2 days off with kiddos, home, errands, self. Our children are very high maintenance with the eldest having ADHD and scary smart(not bragging, this is very hard work). For example, we are currently driving him up to Cincinnati every Saturday for their supersaturday program(www.supersaturday.org).

Hopefully you are beginning to understand my desperate plea for a support network. I participated in Cursillo and have a great small group, but those ladies are in different stages of their lives(either retired or not married yet and building careers). My situation is unique and I understand that. Even finding like-minded gals with the same framework in my city is difficult. This is why I was hoping for a support blog/network on the web. Any suggestions?

Congratulations!

I would certainly look into the various pro-life groups in your area as they should have like minded women that would be very supportive. I’d also check into various Catholic organizations, such as Opus Dei, that would probably have a good support network for you. There are other possibilities,such as Catholic Professional organizations, that might help, but whether you ran into others at a similar point in life would be hit or miss.

We are starting a couples support group in our parish. If you are motivated, you could build your own support network. I’m sure you are not the only pro-life, professional, mom/crazy convert in your parish or at least your diocese.