Breaking Free

49.

Kierra woke up feeling a little better than the previous day, but she still wasn't completely herself. She was relieved that Tasha had scheduled an appointment with Dr. Adams. The nausea and fatigue had been draining, and she needed answers.

Tasha was already up, sitting at the kitchen table with her laptop open, looking over the itinerary for the "Good News Tour" that was set to start on Thursday, October 3rd. She had been juggling a lot between her work and preparing for the tour, but she made sure to stay focused on Kierra's health, never letting her own schedule interfere with being there for her wife.

Kierra walked in, rubbing her eyes, still waking up. Tasha glanced up from her screen, immediately noticing how tired Kierra looked.

"Morning, babe. How are you feeling?" Tasha asked, getting up to pour Kierra a glass of water.

"A little better, but still not great," Kierra replied, accepting the glass and taking a sip. "I'm really glad we're seeing Dr. Adams today. I need to know what's going on."

Tasha walked over and rubbed Kierra's back gently. "We'll get some answers today, I promise. You and the baby are going to be just fine."

Kierra nodded, appreciating Tasha's optimism, but she couldn't shake the underlying worry. "I know... I just want to be sure everything is okay."

They spent the morning taking it easy, and soon it was time to head to Dr. Adams' office. Tasha drove, keeping her hand on Kierra's thigh the whole ride, a quiet gesture of reassurance. Kierra leaned back in the passenger seat, looking out the window, trying to calm her nerves.

When they arrived at the clinic, Dr. Adams greeted them warmly as always. She was a calm, comforting presence, and Kierra felt a little more at ease as they were shown into the exam room.

"So, Kierra, I hear you're still having a rough time with nausea and not being able to keep much down," Dr. Adams said, reviewing her chart. "Let's see how we can get you feeling better."

Kierra nodded, explaining how she'd been throwing up frequently and struggling to eat. Tasha chimed in, adding that Kierra had been dealing with this for a few weeks now and that they were concerned.

Dr. Adams smiled kindly. "It's not uncommon for some women to experience severe morning sickness, but I want to run a few tests to make sure we're not dealing with anything more serious."

After a quick physical exam and a series of blood tests, Dr. Adams gave them an update. "It looks like you're dealing with a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum. It's essentially extreme morning sickness, but the good news is that we can treat it with medication and some changes to your diet. You'll start feeling better soon."

Kierra let out a relieved sigh. "So, the baby's okay?"

Dr. Adams smiled again, reassuring her. "Yes, the baby is perfectly healthy. But we need to get you feeling better so you can stay strong throughout the pregnancy."

Tasha squeezed Kierra's hand, her eyes full of relief. "Thank you, Dr. Adams. We'll do whatever we need to."

The doctor went over a treatment plan, prescribing medication to help with the nausea and recommending smaller, more frequent meals to keep Kierra's energy up. They left the office feeling much more hopeful, knowing that things would improve soon.

Back at home, Tasha insisted Kierra rest on the couch while she fixed something light for lunch. Kierra settled in, feeling grateful for Tasha's constant care. As Tasha prepared a simple meal, Kierra's phone buzzed with notifications—her family checking in, some friends sending messages of encouragement.

Tasha came back with a small bowl of soup and some crackers. "Doctor's orders: small meals, so we're starting with this."

Kierra smiled. "I can do that. Thanks, babe."