North Bay Woman

S P R I N G | S U M M E R 2 0 2 2 NORTH BAY WOMAN 37 my toes into the process to get started, with the new- found spare time, I started narrowing in on what I wanted to share with my community, and the world. The steps to officially launch included joining the podcast communi- ty, seeking training, resources, and every best practice, helpful tip and tool I could find. I built my plan and content strategy to dive into hardships that we all face in life, bring forward conversations that are not always openly shared yet we can all relate to and learn from. I spent hours and hours over many weeks and months, and successfully launched the podcast in May 2021. I am proud of the thriving podcast that has grown from my commitment to my vision, setting a goal and striving to achieve it. "Life Conversations with a Twist" is here to inspire and empower others, by sharing real life stories of leadership, relationships, families, motherhood, navigating hard times and so much more, both through my story, as well as interviewing and sharing the amazing story of other local badass women. Another beautiful journey that my family and I have been on amid the pandemic is adding to our family of five, to become a family of six. With a daughter and son from a prior marriage, and my husband having a daughter from another marriage, we were previously not quite ready to add to our blended family. However, after giving birth to my surrogate baby that conversation stirred, and we de- cided we were ready to have a child together. I loved the experience of being pregnant and giving birth to both of my kids, which was part of wanting to be a surrogate, so I was excited to carry and give birth to another child. This pregnancy was mixed with many challenges due to the pandemic and by no means the "normal" process. Doc- tor appointments were different, the ability to celebrate this special time was not quite the same, and after many months of being shut down, the industry I work in was fi- nally re-opened so I was working full time in-person again with the risk of contracting COVID-19 still present — and needing to take many precautions due to the uncertain around the coronavirus during pregnancy and vaccina- tions for pregnant women. I wanted to work as long as I could ahead of my due date; however, my body and COVID-19 had other plans. This pregnancy took a bit more of a toll on my body than prior pregnancies, so I needed to slow down a little and went out on leave, which coincided with getting a "cold." A cold that drug on and on, as I got sicker and sicker. It was a head cold and stomach flu all in one; I could not eat, had trouble breathing, I had no energy to get up to go to the bathroom, let alone take care of my family and house- hold. I tested and found out I had contracted COVID-19. Phone appointments and emails with my doctor were just not cutting it, and I finally hit a point where I was so depleted that my husband had to take me to the ER. My vitals were off the charts bad so they immediately admit- ted me and told me and my husband that my life was at risk and I was not leaving the hospital without having my baby, who was not due for a couple more weeks. This was such a scary experience, both for me and my family, and we are so grateful that our baby boy was born healthy and that I recovered from the coronavirus, al- though that took a pretty long time while building strength and lung capacity back up. After welcoming our baby boy, my older kids were back to in-person school, which added a bit of concern for the risk of them and the baby contracting COVID-19. Also, when the time came after maternity leave to go back to work in-person, we tried to carefully navigate that with the risk of infection still pres- ent. Although fully vaccinated post pregnancy and trying to ensure the baby was getting the healthy antibodies through breast milk, unfortunately my baby and I endured a second bout of COVID-19. Thankfully we fully recovered, and it did not spread through our whole family, but it was admittedly nerve racking once again due to the fear of it turning as bad, or worse, than the first round while I was pregnant. I believe that through every challenge we find and build strength, and that we have the opportunity to share our stories to support others who might be silently facing a similar hardship and need to hear that they are not alone in it, to help them find their way. I am proud to be surrounded by a community of incredible warrior wom- en making their way in this life, whatever our individual journeys may be. Andrea Henderson Harmonizing four 'buckets' amid the silver linings of the pandemic I grew up in what some might call a "traditional" house- hold. My father's career took us overseas, and my mother was his partner, stayed at home and took pride in keeping the home in order. Perhaps my upbringing is the reason why I struggled, and still do, with how to reconcile my ideals as a wife, mother and professional. Like many women, I've had to draw my own roadmap. Shortly after having my first child in 2013, I quickly learned that raising children "takes a village." My village falls into two camps; I either outsource to childcare providers or rely on my family and friends for help. I also learned to refrain from biting the hand that feeds. I need- Heather and Jason Henderson with their children, 2021. – Photo courtesy Andrea Henderson

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