So it's not a cooking post, but this story illustrates how something good can come out of something bad.
I've alluded to Mary's birth and subsequent health issues on this blog, albeit vaguely. Although I'm not typing the whole story out right now, I'll go into a little more detail. I mentioned previously that I've had HELLP syndrome. HELLP stands for hemolysis (breakdown/death of red blood cells), elevated liver enzymes (causing inflammation of the liver), and low platelets (those nifty little cells that help your blood clot). You can Google it for some interesting details in how it can manifest in pregnant women. It's extremely rare to have it in the severe form I had it - generally speaking, the cure for it is delivery of the baby. My HELLP was so rapid and severe in its onset - and its rarity - that my doctors didn't realize it for what it was until it was almost too late. Were it not for my OB, who had seen it before just once in her career, neither Mary or I would have likely survived. I like to refer to her as my guardian angel.
