The Day That Changed Our Lives
When Brian and I found out that were going to have a baby we were so excited. Our due date was slated for
December 7th, 2007. Gestation week 20 we went for an ultrasound to find out what we were having. It's a Boy! Then five weeks later I noticed that I was having a little bit of bleeding. I did not think much about it because many pregnant women have a little bit of bleeding. But what got me worried was the Friday of that week the bleeding was a tad bit heavier. By that point I knew something was not right. While at work I called the hospital and spoke with a nurse. She told me to stay off of my feet for a while. Around 5:30 pm I called the nurse back and told her that the bleeding was still heavy. The doctor on duty wanted me to to come into Labor and Delivery to be examined. By that point I was scared to death. I called Brian at home to let him know what was going on but he was outside working on the yard. I left him a frantic message telling him that I was going to the hospital.
Upon arriving at Saint Edwards Mercy Hospital I tried to gain my composure. But as soon as I made it to the Labor and Delivery reception desk I started crying. I guess you could say that I was scared. Once the nurse took all of my information we went to the exam room. Once she examined me Brian called to let me know that he was going to be there soon. The nurse came back to tell me that she thought I was in labor, but she wanted the doctor take a look.
Doctor McClanaham came into the room to do a quick exam which included a second ultrasound. As he started to tell me what was happening Brian showed up. Thank God. Because what we are about to hear would change our lives for ever.
Doctor McClanaham proceded to tell us that I have what is called a Disfuncitonal Cervix. In his twenty years this was only the fifth time that he had ever seen this in someone who was pregnant for the first time. We were going to have a baby that night. He then explained that I was completely dilated and my water sack was bulging. The ultrasound was showing Alex in the Breech position which meant that I would be having a C-section. The nurse thens tilts my bed back so that my feet were up. This was to help eliviate any pressure on the water sack. At that point the doctor and nurse leave the room for a moment. When thay opened the door I noticed many people outside my door moving very quickly. Brian made a couple phone calls to let my boss and famly know what was going on.
What happens next happened very fast. The medical staff rolled me into the C-Section room. I remember them handing Brian a surgical outfit and telling us that he would be in the room unless they had to knock me out. Once we are in the room I was moved onto the table. I was given an epiderial. While I was on by back waiting for the pain medication to take effect I remember asking the nurse that examed me to stay with me. She said "yes, she would stay with me". Many weeks later I would find ou that her name was Liz. Before they started the procedure I asked Doctor McClanaham and the anyone else who could hear me to please take care of my baby. Next thing I know they begun the procedure. At 8:09P.M. weighing 1 lb 9 ozs Alexander James Stengel entered the world and our lives. I never thought that hearing a baby cry would all of a sudden became the most important sound to me. Once Brian and I heard that sweet little noise we were happy. But not for long.
During the next few minuates a team was taking care of me and another team was taking care of my son. While Alex was laying on the table receiving all of his vitals he was also reciving much needed medical assistance. Within moments they weeled him past us just to stop for just a moment to let me see him. But I was still on my back being worked on. So the only thing I saw was his left arm reaching out for me. And yes, he moved his arm toward me. Then quickly off they went to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit which is located in the Nursery.
By now I was stapled up and moved back to my room. Meanwhile my son was being intibated and waiting on Angel One from Arkansas Childrens Hospital to pick him up and take him to ACH in Little Rock. Because he was born so early the NICU Neonantalogist at Saint Edwards felt that he may need more procedures then what he could provide. So he would need to be at the best Childrens Hospital in the region.
I am thankful for all of the family memebers that joined Brian and I that night. They helped provided us comfort during a time of fear and uncertainy. Brian Cousin Carl and his wife Jana made sure that Alex was babtized before he left one hospital to go to the next. I was in so much pain as a nurse moved me into a wheelchair so that Brian and I could witness the Baptisim. When we arrived into the nursery Angel One had just shown up. I held Alex's hand and a tiny one it was. The Priest performed his baptism and then we quickly left so that Angel One could do their job.
Upon heading back to my room I soon relized that I was getting very hot and sick. So everyone except Brian left the room. By that point I was so happy to see my new home for the weekend. While I was laying in my bed the only thing that I could think of was the fact that I was not pregnant anymore and how much that sadden me. At bit after midnight the Angel One flight team brought Alex into my room in an Isolette on a strecher with a slew of equipment attatched to it. They asked us a few questions and gave us some information. They quickly left. A few minuates later I heard the Angel One helicoper depart with Alex.
December 7th, 2007. Gestation week 20 we went for an ultrasound to find out what we were having. It's a Boy! Then five weeks later I noticed that I was having a little bit of bleeding. I did not think much about it because many pregnant women have a little bit of bleeding. But what got me worried was the Friday of that week the bleeding was a tad bit heavier. By that point I knew something was not right. While at work I called the hospital and spoke with a nurse. She told me to stay off of my feet for a while. Around 5:30 pm I called the nurse back and told her that the bleeding was still heavy. The doctor on duty wanted me to to come into Labor and Delivery to be examined. By that point I was scared to death. I called Brian at home to let him know what was going on but he was outside working on the yard. I left him a frantic message telling him that I was going to the hospital.
Upon arriving at Saint Edwards Mercy Hospital I tried to gain my composure. But as soon as I made it to the Labor and Delivery reception desk I started crying. I guess you could say that I was scared. Once the nurse took all of my information we went to the exam room. Once she examined me Brian called to let me know that he was going to be there soon. The nurse came back to tell me that she thought I was in labor, but she wanted the doctor take a look.
Doctor McClanaham came into the room to do a quick exam which included a second ultrasound. As he started to tell me what was happening Brian showed up. Thank God. Because what we are about to hear would change our lives for ever.
Doctor McClanaham proceded to tell us that I have what is called a Disfuncitonal Cervix. In his twenty years this was only the fifth time that he had ever seen this in someone who was pregnant for the first time. We were going to have a baby that night. He then explained that I was completely dilated and my water sack was bulging. The ultrasound was showing Alex in the Breech position which meant that I would be having a C-section. The nurse thens tilts my bed back so that my feet were up. This was to help eliviate any pressure on the water sack. At that point the doctor and nurse leave the room for a moment. When thay opened the door I noticed many people outside my door moving very quickly. Brian made a couple phone calls to let my boss and famly know what was going on.
What happens next happened very fast. The medical staff rolled me into the C-Section room. I remember them handing Brian a surgical outfit and telling us that he would be in the room unless they had to knock me out. Once we are in the room I was moved onto the table. I was given an epiderial. While I was on by back waiting for the pain medication to take effect I remember asking the nurse that examed me to stay with me. She said "yes, she would stay with me". Many weeks later I would find ou that her name was Liz. Before they started the procedure I asked Doctor McClanaham and the anyone else who could hear me to please take care of my baby. Next thing I know they begun the procedure. At 8:09P.M. weighing 1 lb 9 ozs Alexander James Stengel entered the world and our lives. I never thought that hearing a baby cry would all of a sudden became the most important sound to me. Once Brian and I heard that sweet little noise we were happy. But not for long.
During the next few minuates a team was taking care of me and another team was taking care of my son. While Alex was laying on the table receiving all of his vitals he was also reciving much needed medical assistance. Within moments they weeled him past us just to stop for just a moment to let me see him. But I was still on my back being worked on. So the only thing I saw was his left arm reaching out for me. And yes, he moved his arm toward me. Then quickly off they went to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit which is located in the Nursery.
By now I was stapled up and moved back to my room. Meanwhile my son was being intibated and waiting on Angel One from Arkansas Childrens Hospital to pick him up and take him to ACH in Little Rock. Because he was born so early the NICU Neonantalogist at Saint Edwards felt that he may need more procedures then what he could provide. So he would need to be at the best Childrens Hospital in the region.
I am thankful for all of the family memebers that joined Brian and I that night. They helped provided us comfort during a time of fear and uncertainy. Brian Cousin Carl and his wife Jana made sure that Alex was babtized before he left one hospital to go to the next. I was in so much pain as a nurse moved me into a wheelchair so that Brian and I could witness the Baptisim. When we arrived into the nursery Angel One had just shown up. I held Alex's hand and a tiny one it was. The Priest performed his baptism and then we quickly left so that Angel One could do their job.
Upon heading back to my room I soon relized that I was getting very hot and sick. So everyone except Brian left the room. By that point I was so happy to see my new home for the weekend. While I was laying in my bed the only thing that I could think of was the fact that I was not pregnant anymore and how much that sadden me. At bit after midnight the Angel One flight team brought Alex into my room in an Isolette on a strecher with a slew of equipment attatched to it. They asked us a few questions and gave us some information. They quickly left. A few minuates later I heard the Angel One helicoper depart with Alex.
The Next Two Days
The next few days would be long. Saturday while I was still in the hospital Brian drove down to Arkansas Children’s Hospital to be with Alex. Meanwhile my mom stayed with me. That first day Brian, Grandma Stengel, Aunt Jennifer and Grandpa Broughton came to visit Alex and see him for the first time. Brian stayed that day until 11pm. All the while I had many visitors that weekend. Too many to count. I could not wait until Monday. That would be day that I would be discharged and able to see my baby.
Monday
Monday, August 27, 2007 was the day that I was discharged from the hospital. That was also the day that I would travel to Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock to be with my son. Brian and I arrived around 6:30 p.m. at ACH. I was in so much pain from the C-Section so Brian had the pleasure of taking care of me for a few days. When we arrived we went straight to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. At that time they were having a shift change, but Brian made arraignments for us to see Alex. When you enter the N.I.C.U. everyone must wash their hands and wear a cover-up. Next we had to check in at the front desk. The people behind the counter ask us who we are here to see? Then they paged Alex's nurse to let them know we were here to see him.
Next Brian rolled me back to Pod 3 bed 38, Alex's home for the next few weeks. Once we arrived I sat by his side just looking at hime. Yes, I cried. Not because I was scared, but because I had an overwhelming since of saddness for him. I knew at that point that he was going to have a long hard fight ahead of him. What I did see was my son with a tube coming out of him mouth, wires all over him, and tubes everywhere. Alex was also covered with plastic wrap, a cloth bumper bent around them, and a metal halo over his head.
I do not remember how late we stayed that day. I just knew that I was going to leave my son in the hands of strangers for the night.
Next Brian rolled me back to Pod 3 bed 38, Alex's home for the next few weeks. Once we arrived I sat by his side just looking at hime. Yes, I cried. Not because I was scared, but because I had an overwhelming since of saddness for him. I knew at that point that he was going to have a long hard fight ahead of him. What I did see was my son with a tube coming out of him mouth, wires all over him, and tubes everywhere. Alex was also covered with plastic wrap, a cloth bumper bent around them, and a metal halo over his head.
I do not remember how late we stayed that day. I just knew that I was going to leave my son in the hands of strangers for the night.
Week 2 September 1 - 7, 2007
This wee Alex was starting to do the one thing that many babies do. That is, poop. I never thought that I would be so excited to see Alex poop. By the end of the week the Doctors started to notice that Alex's lungs were getting cloudy. They started to give him medicine to help treat it. Thay also did a couple of ultrasounds. Alex started to receive breats milk via a feeding tube.
Week 3 September 8 - 14, 2007
We found out that Alex has Phneumonia. That would explain why he had cloudy lungs. They tell us that this can occur because he is on the vent. So it is very important that they start to work with him to get him off of it. By now he weighs 1 pound and 14 ounces and is 14 inches long. we have also noticed that he is starting to wiggle a lot.
Week 4 September 15 - 21
On the 17th I got to hold Alex for the first time! He was so warm. It felt like I was holding a little puppy. The Doctors told us that they were going to start working toward removing his tubes, well some of them.
When Brian and I went to visit Alex on the 21st we found out that around 2 am he pulled his vent. tube out. Not to mention that another preemie in his pod did it just five minuates before. Needless to say the Doctors, Nurses, and the Respitory Therapist were going crazy. They did watch him to see how he would do with a breathing tube. He ended up needing to have long prongs put in his noise. He did not like that at all, but at least he did not have the tube down his mouth.
When Brian and I went to visit Alex on the 21st we found out that around 2 am he pulled his vent. tube out. Not to mention that another preemie in his pod did it just five minuates before. Needless to say the Doctors, Nurses, and the Respitory Therapist were going crazy. They did watch him to see how he would do with a breathing tube. He ended up needing to have long prongs put in his noise. He did not like that at all, but at least he did not have the tube down his mouth.
