Navigates the highs and lows of both career and personal life. Glimpse into the world of professional sports. But beyond the confines of the basketball court, the journey is also filled with a cast of characters, from loyal friends and relationships.
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By the time my eyes opened, it was after two in the morning. Jermaine had already rolled to his side of the bed. I laid there, still, trying to figure out what had woken me. It wasn't my bladder this time, which was usually the case. I felt a burn in my chest and struggled to roll onto my back.
Trying to convince myself it was just indigestion, I propped myself up and took a few deep breaths, hoping the pain would go away. When it didn't, I grabbed the glass of water on the bedside table and sipped it slowly, trying to soothe my dry throat.
After 15 minutes passed and I still felt no relief, I got up and searched the bathroom for Tums or Pepto Bismol. Chewing a couple of Tums, I leaned on the vanity to try and ease the pain, struggling to relax.
When the pain spread to my lower back, I started to panic. Making my way back to the bedroom, I shook Jermaine awake, trying to keep the panic out of my voice. He asked what was wrong, noticing my discomfort, his eyes wide with concern. He quickly got dressed and carried me down the stairs, my body wracked with pain, as we headed to the Jeep to go to the hospital.
Half an hour later, my eyes flicked from machine to machine. A moment later, we heard the doctor tell a nurse both the baby and my heartbeats are good. The doctor turned to Jermaine and started firing questions. "Has she eaten anything unusual today?"
"No. we had a barbecue today with some friends and family. Grilled chicken, salad, wings, some pie, uh, breakfast. Eggs and, um, toast. She was snacking on stuff this afternoon, but nothing she hasn't eaten before," Jermaine listed.
"Any food allergies?" the doctor asked.
Jermaine shook his head and answered, "No, not that we know of."
Redirecting her attention towards me, the doctor stated, "Mrs. Renae, the chest pain you are experiencing could be resultant of heartburn brought on by the greasy food consumed during the barbecue. It is not uncommon for pregnant women to undergo heartburn owing to hormonal alterations that result in the relaxation of digestive tract muscles."
I nodded, relieved that the issue was not a serious one. The doctor prescribed antacids and advised me to avoid certain foods for the duration of my pregnancy.
I closed my eyes for a moment and sighed, "I'm sorry you had to drive all the way here at this time especially when your flight scheduled early in the morning."
"Nae, there's nothing to be sorry for," he said as he smoothed my hair back from her forehead. "You didn't feel right. We did what we needed to do. It's better safe than sorry. I'm just glad you and the baby are okay."
I rested my head against his chest, feeling grateful for his support and love. Once the doctor checked everything over, I was cleared to go. As we drove back home, the sky was just starting to lighten. I felt a sense of relief knowing that it was just a case of heartburn and nothing more serious.
