Tuesday, August 28, 2007

A Good Outcome

I'm home from Austin and had my hearing with the Board of Nursing today. It was a good outcome. I will have to be on probation for two years, but I can maintain my license and continue to run my birth center. I am so happy!!!!! I feel like I've had the weight of the world lifted off of me. It is truly a happy day. Having a midwife, or being a midwife is something no one should take for granted, because it is something that can be taken away.
The hearing was difficult, but it went well overall and I have to admit they were reasonable. They gave me plenty of time to tell my side of the story. They allowed Pat to speak some. It was comforting just to have her and my husband in the room. The thing that helped me the most was all the letters my clients wrote for me. When I was in the waiting room, about to go in, I just imagined all my clients that wrote letters around me and protecting me, and I didn't feel afraid. They did take the letters and I think they read at least some of them. The one I put on top was one from my client who is the next one due. She wrote a great letter comparing her 1st hospital birth to her three home births. Even though she doesn't have a college degree, she wrote from the heart and it was very touching.
I feel like I can go forward now. I can buy a new doppler that I've been needing and I can plan for the future again. This is a day I've been dreading and it has turned out good. I love my life and my work. I hope I will be able to help a lot more women before it's all over. I think in the end, this will make my practice stronger. I am forming an alliance with another nurse-midwife in order to meet the terms of my probation. That is a good thing for me and my clients.
One thing I've decided to do as a result of this is to start a legal defense fund for midwives in Texas. I think having an attorney definitely helped me today. I'm going to have a big party in the fall and charge everyone a little something to come to raise money for the fund. Sometimes good things come from adversity.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jackie

I am SOOOO thrilled to hear about your good fortune. I felt this energy last night all day today that I had hoped was with you in Austin today. I just want to run outside and scream in excitement right now! Whew-I am happy you can move forward now and quit practicing in limbo. The fundraiser sounds good and look forward to more details.

Misti R. said...

Jackie, I have tears of joy right now. I was thinking of you all day today and was hoping you would post soon about your outcome. Praise the Lord! I'm so excited for you.

Anonymous said...

Jackie, I felt so excited to read your email this morning that I jumped out of my seat and yelled with joy! Joe and I are thrilled for you and for the decision of the Board to permit you to keep practicing in the birth center. We have prayed for this, and we only want the best for you. HOORAY for you!

I would be honored to help you with your fundraiser for Texas midwives. Always remember, we are not "just" clients - we consider you as a part of our chosen family of friends.

Cherish the feeling of freedom, you have worked hard to earn it!

Anonymous said...

Praise God!! I am so happy for you, Jackie!! And I'm excited for the beneficiaries of what you do -- women and children like my daughter and grandchildren.

Unknown said...

Jackie,
Another answered prayer! We are so relieved and thankful for this outcome. It is amazing how difficult events produce great things. My husband was not raised in a spiritual, faith based or even religious home but Monday night, for the first time we prayed together...for you. It was very cool. You are a blessing to so many. We love you! Let us know about the fundraiser!

Sheila said...

Such wonderful news! I checked my e-mail last night in hopes of hearing something and I was just overjoyed seeing the e-mail this morning, I am so thrilled! The fund raiser sounds like a great idea, keep us posted!

Sheila

Anonymous said...

That is so great. I am thrilled for you!!! And for the women you will be able to be there for. This is a victory for freedom. I am so thankful. The legal defense fund is a great idea. Home schoolers have one. It has helped alot of people. I am sure yours will too.

Anonymous said...

I was waiting patiently to hear some news...I just knew that it would be good! It is unfortunate that you had to deal with it at all, but instead of weakening "the cause", don't you really feel as though it is a victory? We've thought about you for days and am overjoyed at this good outcome.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Jackie, I held you high in my thoughts throughout the entire process & am so happy for your news!!
love & light~ Miranda C. (Tanya & Leslie's friend)

Hollye said...

Jackie,
I could not stop thinking of you yesterday. I was so eager to hear of the outcome, and I am so happy to hear the good news.It truely is amazing how this experience that you have had, has made such an impact for so many of us. While writing your letter, I expirienced even that much more, what natural birth is to me,and what you and Camellia have done for so many of us. Like you said, so much good CAN come from trials and adversity.
Take Great Care, Holly Eller

Anonymous said...

Jackie,
I thank God above for keeping his hand on you during your difficult time.But of course you know He is with us always. During the good times and the bad. He is letting you know that your work is not done. So you keep up the wonderful job of bringing these beautiful babies into this world. With much love. Sonja Sikes-Whitworth

Unknown said...

Jackie, I could hear the happiness in your voice before you even told me the great news! Rex and I are so proud to be a part of a cause worth fighting for. We will be happy to participate in and contribute to the fundraiser party. What a great day for women everywhere!

Anonymous said...

Jackie,

This was great news to me and my family! I forwarded your message to my mom and sisters. They have also been praying for you since they heard about it on Thursday. As hard as it has been, I believe you were chosen for this path. And, I can't imagine what else God has planned for you. When adversity strikes again, expect greatness, cause He will lead you there.

Lauren K.

Strawnfam said...

Congratulations Jackie! I've been praying for you. I'm so happy to hear that things worked out so well.

We love you!
Jenna Strawn and family....

Strawnfam said...

Congratulations Jackie! I've been praying for you. I'm so happy to hear that things worked out so well.

We love you!
Jenna Strawn and family....

Unknown said...

JG

Awesome news, you have been in our thoughts all day and felt this would be the outcome once they had a chase to hear you out. You simply kick ass at what you do. How about an imaginary high five...
oh yhea! Can't wait to see and congradulate you in person.

Tommy love Clymer family

Anonymous said...

What a blessing to hear this good news, Jackie! How thankful we are that God has lifted that weight from you...and I'm am so glad that you had your husband near you; I know how comforting that can be.
Joyfully and with love, The Thibodeaux Family

Simple Writings said...

I'm thrilled!!!! Jackie you are so sweet and strong! Words can not express how tickled I am about the outcome of the meeting in Austin! Dena R. and I ran into each other at Wal-mart Tuesday morning and we both talked about you and what was happening that day! I know we both were in prayer along with everyone else for you! I'm so excited about you having the party/fundraiser, I'm there--I'll make one of my awesome cheesecakes! Party, Party, Party!!!! YOU DID IT! Way to go! Love with big hugs! (I'm jumping up and down)

Anonymous said...

Jaaaackiieeeeeeeeeee!

Sarah and I are very very excited to hear this wonderful news! This is not only great news for you, but for all of us, especially our next baby-to-come (whenever that will happen.)

We wish we'd checked our e-mail earlier, at least we could've sent you the birthing story that we'd written right after Sarah gave birth to Eesa. Your name was all over it!

Anyhow, we're very happy. Eesa says Hi by the way :).