Seth's Story-part 1

I’m not quite sure where to start. 

I’ve struggled with what to write in this little space of mine. 

Not quite sure how to adequately find the words to communicate what has taken place in the last two weeks.  I’m not sure I ever will, but Seth has such a sweet story and he’s forever a part of our family, even though he’s not longer with us.

So I’ll start on Tuesday with my doctor’s appointment……….

Walking back to the ultrasound I was shaking, I was so scared, but as I saw Seth on the screen not knowing what this all meant for his little body, I couldn’t help but be amazed at how sweet the Lord created him.  To see him as I felt him moving was so special. 

Then the doctor came in and shared with us the reality that Seth was very sick.  The pressure of the fluid surrounding his lungs and heart were causing his heart to overwork and causing cardiac failure.  Through tears I prayed as we received details about what would take place next.  Praying that this would work, praying that Seth would live.

I was quickly admitted to the hospital and began the process of getting prepped for our first drainage of fluid from his chest cavity.  Through tears I changed into a hospital gown, praying for the Lord to give me strength to endure whatever was ahead.

The first procedure went well, although Seth did not like it at all, he put up a fight as they poked him with the needle.  He also moved as they finished draining his left chest cavity, which nicked the placenta.  But we watched his heart respond well to the treatment and we were encouraged.  That night we prayed for no more fluid to accumulate, asking God for to heal Seth.

The next morning, Wednesday, I saw the doctor again and it looked just like the day before, all the fluid was back.  Thankfully his heart was doing well and still responding positively to the fluid drainage.  Since my placenta was nicked my doctor didn’t want to risk that happening again, so he decided to postpone another drainage until the following day.  I appreciated a day to recover before I had another procedure.

The next day my doctor decided he needed to drain amniotic fluid so that he could reach Seth with his needle.  I had so much fluid.  They ended up draining 2 liters of fluid before they went in again to drain more fluid off of Seth’s left cavity.  It was a long procedure, but everything went well and they were able to drain off most all of the fluid from Seth’s left side again, unfortunately they couldn’t get to his right side due his position.  That evening I recovered while Marvin spent the night with Calvin, and Micah at our apartment in Kansas City.

The next morning Marvin took the boys to my cousin’s and as my doctor came in and told me my appointment was earlier than planned I gave Marvin a quick call and he booked it back to the hospital.  He got to the hospital just in time to be there when the doctor came in.  Again the fluid reaccumulated, of course I was heart broken it wasn’t working.  Our doctor told us the day before I probably would deliver before 34 weeks but I had no idea it would be that day. 

I was shocked. 

Scared beyond belief. 

I so wanted so desperately for him to stay inside me for longer. 

I was only 32 weeks and 5 days.

My doctor felt that Seth was healthy enough for delivery and worried that the longer his chest continued to swell with fluid would cause more damage to his heart.  He was in a good place and hoped that draining the fluid off after birth would do the trick.

They decided to drain more amniotic fluid, and drain his left side again so that they only needed to concentrate on his right side.  They quickly began prepping me for a c-section.  Gave me magnesium to help prevent CP, a flurry of doctors came in to have us sign all sorts of paperwork.  Thankfully we had planned on Marvin’s parents taking the boys for the weekend, so a quick call to his brother they knew that Seth was going to be born that day.  My mom came up to help watch the boys and once we talked to my dad he was on his way too.

I was praying constantly.  So thankful for our sweet nurse who was a believer that was with me while Marvin waited for the c-section to begin. 

I’m so thankful that Marvin could be with me during delivery.

The entire time I was praying he would be born alive.

They finished up the two procedures.  Then Marvin was able to come in.

The room was surrounded with doctors and nurses.  The C-Section didn’t take too long.

Tears were flowing down my checks. 

Gripping Marvin’s hand. 

Praying to hear a cry.

At 2:13 p.m. on June 1, 2012 we heard the sweetest two cries in our lives.

Then doctors quickly went to work making sure Seth was stable.  Even though we had no idea what was to come we were thankful that Seth was with us and that he was alive.

His birth was filled with fear but it was such a beautiful experience feeling the Lord hold us throughout it.

Seth Asher you are such a gift.  I’m so thankful we got to welcome you into the world.