This has been a tough week. My husband and I went back to my doctor on Wednesday. My doctor was able to remove the IUD now that he knew where it was based on the ultrasound. He said the odds of miscarrying after removing the IUD were high, but it wasn’t an option to leave it in. He also said the odds of miscarrying just because I’m 40 years old were very high as well, as high as 50%, so this was most likely not going to have any other outcome but miscarrying.

Sure enough, it happened about an hour after my appointment two days ago. I will have another blood test next week to measure my HCG level. If it goes down, then the pregnancy is not developing. But I’m pretty sure already that it is not.

I’m a bit relieved and a bit sad at the same time. It was fun to think about a third child and how that would change our lives. But at the same time, it was unlikely that it would have gone to full term so it was bound to be full of heartache. I’m relieved that nature sorted this all out so I don’t have to make any decisions. I am happy with my life, my husband and my children. I am perfectly happy to keep the status quo.

My long run this week was slow and plodding, but it was allowed by my doctor. However, I could not get myself to run anything but slowly and I couldn’t get into a rhythm. I’m hoping that these lingering effects of the pregnancy will wear off and I can get back into training and start losing weight again.

My run was through a beautiful area. I passed some farms that I didn’t know were there. It was pretty and peaceful but the hills were killer. I ran up a road called “Pleasant Hill” and I can assure you that it was not at all pleasant. I considered turning around more than once. I’m glad I stuck it out. The half marathon is only a few weeks away and I have to get these long runs in. But they have not been easy.