When Autism Collides with Complex Female Issues – Part 2

     By Sue Cassel

Almost 6 months ago, I wrote the first part of this blog, right before my daughter with autism, Allison, age 21, had a hysterectomy, and neurotypical daughter, Abbey, age 22, was about to give birth to her first child. 

     Allison had her surgery on September 17th, and the following day, Abbey asked me to take her blood pressure, because she was experiencing pre-eclampsia.  But one medical issue at a time…

     Allison’s surgery went very well.  The doctor said she would probably stay overnight in the hospital, but because Allison was experiencing very little pain, was eating and was able to use the bathroom (and because I am a nurse, and I knew when to call if there were complications), she got to go home 4 hours after surgery. 

     Surgery recovery continued to go very well.  Allison took very little prescription pain medication.  She was more tired than anything, and she spent the first several days on the couch, except for brief bouts of walking around or going to the restroom.  According to her, she had much more pain with her periods than she did after surgery, so post-surgical pain was easy to tolerate. 

     Because Allison was feeling so good, it wasn’t long until she wanted to be up and around more.  In her second week of recovery, she bent down in a way that her sutures didn’t like, and she tore a stitch internally.  She had some bleeding, and pain returned at a level higher than she experienced right after surgery.  The nurse at the doctor’s office told her to head back to the couch, with very little physical activity until the 6-week mark after surgery. 

     Allison did her down time like a champ.  By 6 weeks, she was very well healed and ready to get on with life.  She has been very happy with the results from her hysterectomy.  She tells people, “It changed my life.”  Not having heavy, painful periods has been very freeing for her.

     But as I mentioned, the day after Allison’s surgery, Abbey came over to our house and asked me to check her blood pressure.  She had been having increased swelling in her feet and hands for some time, which the doctor was monitoring.  (Abbey’s doctor is the same one who did Allison’s surgery).

     Abbey’s blood pressure was high, and she was in and out of the labor and delivery ER for the next few days, as doctors tried to prevent an early delivery of her baby.  However, on September 21st, it was decided that the safest thing for Abbey (and the baby) was to go ahead and induce labor. 

     Abbey’s husband, Jacob, was the only person allowed in the hospital, due to COVID.  Several friends and family held evening vigils in the hospital parking lot, since we weren’t allowed to go inside.   The minutes turned to hours and hours turned to days… and after 50 hours (a little over 2 days) of trying to induce labor that wasn’t progressing as hoped, her healthy baby boy was born by c-section at 1:35am on September 24th. 

     Abbey and Jacob have adjusted very well to becoming new parents.  They have a lot of family support on both sides, and we all enjoy our time with baby Miles.  I wondered how Allie would adjust to being an aunt… she loves it!  She likes to be called, “Auntie Allie.” She doesn’t care for changing diapers or giving bottles, but she does love to make Miles laugh, and she likes to hold him (briefly, because he squirms).  Being around a new baby has only affirmed for Allison that she does not want to be a parent… ever.  But she loves being an aunt, and that works out well! 

     Though there were times of stress, we are very grateful for the outcome of Allison’s surgery and for the addition of baby Miles to the family.