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June 2014 Moms
jenandbrett
member
Isaac Allen - April 27 - A Life Well lived (pics added!)
jenandbrett
member
Our son Isaac lived his precious life Sunday. I started having what I thought might be REAL contractions Saturday while we were in Atlanta celebrating our daughter's birthday at the Georgia Aquarium. Although I was having a lot (up to 5 an hour) we assumed that they were Braxton hicks due to being so active and not drinking enough water to compensate. We headed home and by the time I went to bed Saturday, they were 11 minutes apart consistently. I slept a little that night and timed my contractions at 7-8 minutes apart in the morning. We decided I needed to call my midwife and she said if they got to 4-5 minutes apart and very strong, that I needed to come in. I labored as we packed our bags and assumed a hospital visit was coming. My mom arrived to watch Our daughter and all of a sudden my contractions were incredibly strong. They were still spaced irregularly, but I told My husband we needed to go immediately and he made a 15-20 minute drive into a 10 minute drive by bending a few traffic laws... (Yes, we were one of those crazy couples like you see in the movies and roll your eyes at). We were actually headed to a different hospital, but ended up at another since it was much closer. After the irregular and questionable labor, I was ready to push. He got me inside the emergency room and the nurse took me quickly to the labor and delivery floor. Only 17 minutes after making it to my room, precious Isaac was born. He was 5 pounds 1 ounce (including fluid) and 17 3/4" long. It was a complete whirlwind. We waited anxiously to see if he would take his first breath. Within moments, he took a precious first breath and then another. He was placed into my arms as we admired the life he was gifted. The neonatologist confirmed that he did indeed have Downs Syndrome, tiny lungs that could not support life, and a very weak heartbeat. We were told he didn't have long and we set our hearts on cherishing his every breath and movement. He looked at each of us and cried as he got his first and only bath.
Within a few minutes, his grandparents arrived and took turns holding him. His amazing big sister came in and we had a few moments alone with our two babies. She was amazing with him and smothered him in hugs and kisses and told us how much he loved her and vice versa. I could not have hoped for more for them. It brought a joy to my heart that I can't describe.
We had 3 hours and 20 minutes with our precious son. He never seemed to suffer but simply stopped breathing. He slipped away into the arms of Jesus who somehow loves him even more than we do. After hearing so many good things about Now I lay Me Down to Sleep from so many people, we asked that they come in. This is an incredible ministry that comes into situations such as ours and takes professional pictures of the baby and family. Although a very grim task, the volunteer was incredible and granted Isaac such dignity in her photos. We've only seen a couple so far and are so grateful for this gift.
We came home Monday and leaving our son behind was the hardest thing either of us have ever done. I can't describe the anguish of saying goodbye to your baby in that way. We can rest in the fact that he is securely and happily in the arms of Jesus. We were granted so many gifts yesterday. We were told to expect at most 1-2 breaths but received over 3 hours. There is no describing what a gift those hours were to us. I truly believe that if I had carried him to term or had a traditionally long labor, that he might not have had that time. Also, in our hurry to get inside the hospital, we didn't bring our camera, but our midwife sent a nurse to her car for her camera so that she could take pictures for us. What a blessing! We received multiple gifts from people who make gifts by hand for babies in our situation. One such blanket is such a treasure to me. Each nurse that we dealt with was incredibly supportive and loving towards us and Isaac. God orchestrated our last-minute hospital change as well. We likely wouldn't have made it to the other hospital in the first place, but our midwife happened to be at the front desk of the hospital we stopped at. Even if we had made it to the other hospital, she never would have. Also, our midwife had just met with the on-call neonatologist on Friday and briefed her on our situation so she was fully prepared to meet our needs.
I want to thank each one of your for the support you have given us since we began this journey in mid-January, it has been very difficult and long, but so incredibly enriching at the same time. We have met our Savior in such a new and real way. His presence and peace have become non-negotiable to us rather than things to seek at our convenience. The comfort we have received is undeniably from His hand and we are so eager to remain close to him. We don't for a second think that God has failed us or abandoned us by taking our son. His plan is much higher than ours and I don't think it's possible to experience Him like we have in these months and then deny him now. He has a plan for Isaac's life that could only be accomplished in this way. We may never know what that plan is, but we feel like we've already seen glimpses of it in the way he has changed our hearts and the stories we've heard from some of you. I would say any life was well-lived if even one person was drawn closer to Christ and I can guarantee Isaac's precious short life has already done more than that. I'm proud of you, my sweet boy
(The bump won't let me add pictures right now, but it am trying! Check back later if you would like to see my beautiful son)
Trigger Warning (LC and loss) --
Married May 2008
Beautiful daughter Alyssa born April 23, 2011
Precious son Isaac born at 34 weeks in April 27, 2014 with Potters Syndrome Type 4 and Down Syndrome - trusted into the arms of Jesus after 3 hours.
Pregnant again! Due August 8, 2015 please be healthy, little one! (results on 2/4/15 showed no Down's and it's a girl!)
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Isaac Allen - April 27 - A Life Well lived (pics added!)
God bless you and your family.
"And all the house elves came to help, and THAT was the day Voldemort was defeated!"
Zoe Johannah, born 6/3/2014
After 3 failed Clomid+TI cycles, DD was conceived with IUI#1
TTC #2
Clomid 50 mg + IUI#1 = BFP, m/c and D&C at 7w1d
Clomid 50mg + IUI#2 = BFN
Clomid 100mg + IUI#3 = BFN
Lupron + Follistim + IVF#1 = 11ER, 10M, 10F, ET of 1 expanded BBA 5-day blast, 2 Frosties. BFP! Beta 10/13 = 264! Beta 10/15 = 702! EDD 6/21/14
DD1: June 2014 - VBM4lyfe
DD2: October 2016
DC3: coming May 2019
Follow us at Caring Bridge
We've never interacted, but I've followed you and your family's story. May God bless all of you. He has in so many ways already, but may He continue to and may He help you through this time.
I'm so very sorry for your loss. My sincerest condolences.
Be well.
Baby #1: expected June 2014
The bumpie formerly known as First Time in MI
I am so sorry to hear of your family's loss, so comforting to have had that time with him.
I am beyond sorry for your loss, but am grateful that your last and first moments with Issac were beautiful.
From your post I can sense your incredible strength and am in awe of it.
Keeping you and your family in my thoughts& prayers
#3 DD June 2014
CP December 2015
M/C 8/2016
Rainbow & Babe #4 EDD 7.28.18
My Ovulation Chart
BFP #1 3.16.12. mmc 5.7.12 at 11 weeks ~Avery Cameron~
BFP #2 12.12.12. mmc 1.22.13 at 10 weeks ~Theodore Michael~
D&C #2 Chromosome analysis results: Translocation Trisomy 14
My RPL Testing: Homozygous MTHFR, normal karyotype
DH's karyotype results: Robertsonian Translocation 13:14
BFP #3 9.10.13 mc at 4 weeks~Our little May Flower~
BFP #4 10.13.13- Our Rainbow Baby, a little girl, arrived June 25, 2014!
Pipsqueak born 6/9/14