A Long Journey Ends Happily

Christine and I found out she was pregnant on the morning of Jan. 5, a Saturday. The following nine months were filled with all the highs and lows expectant of pregnancy. Chris was awfully sick for her first trimester. There were mornings (and afternoons, and evenings) when we worried if it was all worth it.

There was the day in February when she was flown to Moose Factory for a checkup after her stomach pain became really severe. We were thankful everything checked out OK.

While we were out for breakup in Moosonee, she was rushed to the hospital with more unbearable stomach pain. Everything turned out to be OK.

Our biggest scare, as some of you know, came when we were down south in July. Some irregularities brought us to the hospital in Lindsay. Chris was eventually transferred to Mt. Sinai in Toronto when it was determined she was showing signs of labour. She was 30 weeks pregnant. We spent a week in hospital, with me sleeping on a cot beside here. A week later she was released, but doctor’s orders prevented her from returning to Fort Albany.

I went home to teach my class. It was hard being apart at such a crucial time. However, the support of friends and family helped us through. Five weeks later, on Aug. 25, we were re-united.

Jonas William Mackie was born on Sept. 13 to the happiest parents in the world. He arrived safe and sound, thankfully.