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Parenting after a Loss
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Long Overdue Intro

jbranden12jbranden12 member
in Parenting after a Loss
Hi ladies, long time no "see"! For those who don't know me, I am jbranden12. My first daughter Patricia was born sleeping at 31 weeks in March 2012. Her little sister Anna was born in January at 26 weeks. When Anna was 5 days old, she suffered severe brain bleeds that resulted in damage to much of her brain tissue as well as hydrocephalus. Anna is a fighter and came home after 83 days in the NICU. In June, she had surgery to implant a VP shunt to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid. We have a difficult journey ahead but every day we work to prove the doctors wrong, as they hope we will!

I'll be honest and say that I have felt a bit homeless on tb since Anna's birth. I mostly post on Preemies, but many of those moms have not also experienced a loss (though some unfortunately have). I also lurk here and on Breastfeeding, Cloth Diapering, and Special Needs. However, I think I am ready to start posting here. I am happy to see so many old and new LOs and look forward to getting to know you all again!


  Our Angel Patricia born sleeping 3/30/12 at 31 weeks
Our Fighter Anna born early 1/8/13 at 26 weeks
Hoping to bring home #3 due 9/9/15
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Re: Long Overdue Intro

  • s0ulchickens0ulchicken member
    Welcome! Thank you for posting your story. I am so sorry for your loss, and so glad to hear that little Anna is putting up the good fight. I have an acquaintance who's little boy was also born an 26 weeks, and has had numerous brain surgeries to add, remove or replace shunts, and she just posted pictures of him taking his first steps last week. He is 18ish months old. I will look forward to seeing more of your posts!
     
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  • FmrAFBratFmrAFBrat member
    Welcome! I'm so sorry you had to go through a loss, as well as deal with all of the uncertainty of a preemie. It looks like Anna is a fighter. I'll keep you in my T&Ps.
    TTC January 2010
    BFP #1 10-11-10 ectopic discovered 10-22-10, 10-23-10 methotrexate & emergency surgery, lost right tube BFP #2 12-1-10 Found to be tissue dropped from salingectomy or missed heterotopic pregnancy from BFP #1 BFP #3 1-30-11 DS arrived on due date 10-10-11 BFP #4 Surprise 9-3-12 EDD 5-9-13 DS2 arrived 5-5-13 BFP #5 5-14-14 Emergency D&C 6-16-14 9 weeks
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  • Missa_gMissa_g member
    Welcome. I'm familiar with you from the preemies board and am happy to support you here, too.
    Lilypie Premature Baby tickers
    Married 9/22/07, began TTC 8/10
    Diagnosed with DOR, LP defect, mild endometriosis and cysts
    BFP #1 EDD 9/10/11, natural miscarriage at 6w
    BFP #2 Medicated cycle, twin boys born 4/4/12 at 29w4d
    BFP #3 EDD 8/8/14, D&C for missed miscarriage at 8w, baby boy with triploidy
    BFP #4 June 2014 CP
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  • MJM3108MJM3108 member
    edited August 2013
    Welcome! I remember you from PgAL and have thought about you often. I am so sorry for the challenges you have faced with Anna, but she sounds like such an incredible fighter! I look forward to hearing about her continued recovery, and "seeing" you around here more often! 

    ETA- I linked to your blog, and Anna is just gorgeous! I love the pics you posted in Summer Adventures, especially the wall of bubbles! I am in awe of your strength and courage, and I will pray for you, your hubby and Anna for all that you face. She is so blessed to have you as parents, and I know you will be her staunchest advocates as she continues to grow, and face new challenges. I am sending you the hugest virtual (((HUGS))) I possibly could! 
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     Lilypie - (KAFM)

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  • jbranden12jbranden12 member
    s0ulchicken said:
    Welcome! Thank you for posting your story. I am so sorry for your loss, and so glad to hear that little Anna is putting up the good fight. I have an acquaintance who's little boy was also born an 26 weeks, and has had numerous brain surgeries to add, remove or replace shunts, and she just posted pictures of him taking his first steps last week. He is 18ish months old. I will look forward to seeing more of your posts!
    Thank you so much for sharing this! Love to hear of other hydrobabies who are doing amazing things.


      Our Angel Patricia born sleeping 3/30/12 at 31 weeks
    Our Fighter Anna born early 1/8/13 at 26 weeks
    Hoping to bring home #3 due 9/9/15
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  • jbranden12jbranden12 member
    mrsjessicamitchell said:

    ETA- I linked to your blog, and Anna is just gorgeous! I love the pics you posted in Summer Adventures, especially the wall of bubbles! I am in awe of your strength and courage, and I will pray for you, your hubby and Anna for all that you face. She is so blessed to have you as parents, and I know you will be her staunchest advocates as she continues to grow, and face new challenges. I am sending you the hugest virtual (((HUGS))) I possibly could! 
    Thank you! We think she is pretty cute  :)


      Our Angel Patricia born sleeping 3/30/12 at 31 weeks
    Our Fighter Anna born early 1/8/13 at 26 weeks
    Hoping to bring home #3 due 9/9/15
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  • jbranden12jbranden12 member
    Thank you all for the warm welcome!


      Our Angel Patricia born sleeping 3/30/12 at 31 weeks
    Our Fighter Anna born early 1/8/13 at 26 weeks
    Hoping to bring home #3 due 9/9/15
    Report Reply
  • amidkiffamidkiff member
    Welcome. It's so great to hear what a little fighter Anna is, I look forward to hearing all about her wonderful journey. Congratulations on your lo!
    Daisypath Happy Birthday tickers Lilypie First Birthday tickers Daisypath Anniversary tickers Image and video hosting by TinyPic
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  • neon252neon252 member
    I remember you from PGaL as well. Glad Anna is so strong and has such a strong mama!
    DD#1: 9/21/05

    DD#2: 9/15/09

    Natural M/C: 7/22/11

    Missed M/C: 11/30/11

    DS#1: 3/19/13


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  • orangegogglesorangegoggles member
    Welcome to the board. Thank you for sharing your story, Anna sounds like a fighter and so does her mama!
    Lilypie First Birthday tickers
    BFP #1 6.19.11 ~ EDD 2.23.12 ~ CP on 6.22.11
    BFP #2 7.23.11 ~ EDD 3.28.12 ~ MC on 8.16.11
    BFP #3 11.17.11~ EDD 7.31.12 ~ MC on 1.18.12
    BFP #4 4.12.12 ~ EDD 12.25.12~ Born on 12.26.12
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  • Mmm79Mmm79 member
    So glad to see you here jbranden12!  I haven't been around here much since returning to work, but I remember you from PgAL and I was following Anna's story on the preemie board via the April check-in.  I am so glad that you have a little fighter on your hands!

    Image and video hosting by TinyPic View Full Size Image
    BFP#1 11/12/11 ~ No heartbeat 12/12/11 ~ D&C 12/19/11
    BFP#2 3/25/12 ~ Heartbeat 141 4/16/12 ~ No heartbeat 4/25/12 ~ D&C 04/30/12 
    BFP#3 7/16/12 ~ EDD 3/26/13 ~ It's a BOY ~ DOB 2/26/13






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