An Angel Named Grandpa

I am looking at Eddie across the room. He is getting sleepy in his swing, staring at pooh and piglet dancing above his head. He is smiling as he drifts off to sleep. He always smiles as he is falling asleep. I have heard that babies that smile in their sleep are talking to angels. I want to believe that he is talking to his grandpa Ed (his namesake). I am sure grandpa is telling him funny stories or very nice things. That is all grandpa ever did for my daughters. He would love this little boy. I truly believe that his grandpa answered a prayer I sent him asking for him to help Eddie make it through. The day after I asked for my dad's help with Eddie, who had gotten a dismal prognosis that day, Eddie made huge improvements. My precious baby has a very special angel watching over him. What a lucky boy.

Eddie Giggled Today!

I know I am supposed to be continuing the story. But I had to tell everyone that I was changing Eddie and singing (yes, he likes my singing! Or at least he is stuck with it cuz he can't walk OR RUN!) and he smiled a goofy smile. I laughed and he giggled the most wonderful giggle in the whole entire world.

It All Started...

The day before Christmas I was very ill. I had been getting sicker and sicker as each day went on. Finally, on Christmas Eve my body just couldn't take it anymore. I laid in bed all day and felt horrible that I couldn't make it a special day for my girls. I couldn't do anything for them.

When Joseph got home, he insisted that I go to the hospital. I quickly agreed. We dropped the girls off at my mom's house and went to the hospital.

After what seemed like an eternity with the nurse on duty trying to find Eddie's heartbeat and failing, she called for an ultrasound machine and the doctor. I wish she would have done that sooner and not waited so long. I was afraid the baby was dead. The doctor immediately informed me that I would be delivering my child NOW. By that time I was so sick and disoriented that I just nodded my head. I was terrified.

Next thing I knew, I was waking up after delivering my beautiful boy, Eddie. What I did not immediately know is that he was unresponsive at birth, he was in shock and that he had experienced something called hypoxia. Luckily, he was revived. However, he had suffered a period with no oxygen (hypoxia) and had a seizure almost immediately. All of this was told to me later when another doctor came in to ask if he could proceed with treating Eddie with hypothermia (cooling of the body). We agreed. Though we are glad Eddie received this treatment, it was pure hell to watch and get through. All of this was only the beginning of what seemed to be a lot of daily stresses and scares. I will continue Eddie's story next time.

Be Nice to the Newbie!

I am new to all of this. And I will definitely try to be as politically correct and sensitive as I can be. I never mean to be offensive, but at times my ignorance about a subject leads me down that path. So, please be nice! I may not know much at this point, but I am certainly open to being educated. In fact, that is my hope. Those of you with experience with this subject, who I hope will contribute, please be nice as I stumble along on my way to being informed about hypoxia and the development of my child. The purpose of this blog is to be the best mommy I can to my beautiful son. And to help others who want the same for their children but just don't know where to start or what to do.

A Quick Word of Advice

Just a quick note to anyone who has found this blog and is sitting in the hospital faced with all of the craziness, information and confusion after his/her child experienced hypoxia. The one thing I wish I would have found online or been told: TAKE NOTES. Get a notebook and immediately write down the names of doctors and nurses who talk to you. From the smallest details to the specialists who come in for permission for treatments or procedures, be sure you write down the name of the doctor, what day they came in and at what time, and what was discussed. We had so many nurses, doctors, and specialists coming at us that it all seems a blur. Thank God my husband had a clear head and is able to remind me of things. I was medicated and in shock and it all seemed to run together after a while. If for no other reason than to keep everything and everyone straight in your head....keep notes!

Where is Everyone?

My son, Eddie, suffered hypoxia at birth. What do I do now? When I try to find information online I find nothing! I haven't found a message board, an association...NOTHING! I am sure there are others out there looking for info from other parents who have went through the same things. That is the purpose of this blog. I am hopeful that this will be the beginning of a lot of shared information. I would love to communicate with other parents of children born with hypoxia. I will share our story in the posts to follow. But for now....WHERE IS EVERYONE?