Hi,
This story is about my beautiful daughter, Natalie.
Because of the way my previous pregnancy ended, I came into this pregnancy knowing that it was at high risk for a uterine rupture. All was well through out my current pregnancy, and I had a scheduled c-section for June 16th, 2009. Unfortunately, I went into pre-term labor again (35wks 3days) and as I feared, my uterus ruptured. I had to be rushed into the ER for yet another emergency c-section :(. My daughter, Natalie, was born on June 4th, 2009 at 10:59pm.
When my uterus ruptured, it caused my placenta to bleed, and the oxygen and blood supply to my daughter was cut off. Natalie went into distress and her heart stopped before the doctor could get her out.
After the doctor delivered her, it took 3 pediatricians 15 minutes of CPR to get her heart to start beating and another 5 minutes for her heart to stabalize and beat on its own. 20 minutes without oxygen flow to Natalie's brain.
Currently, Natalie is in a coma, which she has been in since the day she was born :(. She is on a ventilator, cannot move and is unresponsive to any form of stimulus. She was having seizures on and off for the first few days after she was born and the doctor put Natalie on anti-seizure medication. After her seizures stopped, the doctors took Natalie off of the medication and she has not had any seizures since her first week.
The doctor's gave her a week to live, they said her heart would eventually stop because of her decreased brain function. Despite the doctors original prognosis, Natalie's organs and body, except for her brain, are improving as each day passes. Along with that, she is now able to digest up to 60cc of formula every three hours. Also, she is able to void urine and bowels on her own.
The Doctor's have performed a few EEG's now, with no positive results :(. They say her brain stem is damaged but are not sure to what extent yet. My husband and I are now waiting for results from the brain ultrasound that was performed on her this past Friday. We should have the results early Monday or Tuesday morning. Hopefully that provides some good news.
Natalie has been in the NICU for 25 days now.
This is the hardest thing, next to the loss of our twin daughters, that we have gone through. My husband and I are holding on and hoping for the best.
If there is anyone who has been in a similar situation, or knows anything that could help our situation, I would appreciate it if i could get some feedback. As I said, this is a very trying time for us and in our current location (in the Army and stationed in Korea), don't have anyone that we can talk or relate to.
-Dana
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My daughter's on life support. Need someone to relate to...
- By Natalies_mommy0609
- Posted June 29, 2009 at 6:01 am · 72 replies
- In In the NICU/PICU
- Shared with the public
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72 replies
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- By alexacolbert
- Posted August 5, 2009 at 12:20 pm
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I'm so sorry for your loss. I was reading your story a couple of weeks ago while visiting my mother. After leaving her house we got a call at 5:30 my little Alexa's heart stopped beating on July 29. I feel your pain and I am so sorry you lost your baby. My heart goes out to you and your family. God bless you.
- By Natalies_mommy0609
- Posted August 5, 2009 at 4:08 am
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Thank you, N in NC and alesha468, but Natalie passed away on July 24th :(
alesha468, I'm sorry you are having complications with your pregnancy, and you just barely started it... I'm not a very religious person at the moment, but I will say a few words for you, and I hope your pregnancy ends well.
-Dana
- By alesha468
- Posted August 1, 2009 at 11:59 pm
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i have never been in this situation but i know what it's like to have your body not cooperate with you with pregnancy. this is my first pregnancy and i've had all sorts of issues so far (17 weeks). my uterus is malformed also. it pains my heart that your lil girl is going through this ... i will lift her precious little soul up to the Lord everytime i think of it. i Pray that God touches her body and heals her so that she can lead others to Him through her story. God bless you and know that my Prayers and the Prayers of my family and friends will be with you and yours during this hard time. Hold fast to....Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble.
- By N_in_NC
- Posted August 1, 2009 at 3:42 pm
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My heart aches for your situation. Even though in times it feels as if we need to scream at the universe, God has never left your side, and He hears every prayer you call out to Him. I pray your sweet Natalie receives her miracle healing, and for you and your family to have peace beyond understanding.
Nicki
- By Yolonda
- Posted July 31, 2009 at 11:04 am
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Just wanted to let you know you are in our thoughts and prayers. I wish I had words to make it easier, but I know first hand there are none. Please be gentle with yourself, take it one day at a time and breath through the moments.
Take good care,
Yolonda
Angel D'Lon Grace Mommy
- By Natalies_mommy0609
- Posted July 31, 2009 at 10:22 am
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Thank you everyone for the support. The last week has been so hard and I miss my Natalie so much. We are leaving Korea next weekend for good and having Natalie's funeral on the 15th of August. My husband and I are taking 30 days of leave, and then we are going to New York for our next assignment at West Point. Once again thank you all for your prayers and support...
-Dana
- By jbennion
- Posted July 26, 2009 at 9:17 pm
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I am deeply sorry for the loss of your beautiful Natalie. I pray that you will find comfort and peace that only comes through Jesus. Please know that there are many of us out here in cypberspace that care so much about you and what you are going through. Please don't loose faith or your positive spirit. You will be an encouragement to others because of this experience! Bless you and your family.
- By rainysmom
- Posted July 26, 2009 at 3:25 pm
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I am so very deeply sorry for your loss. No one should ever have to bear such sadness. I hope you can be around people who love all three of you, and the twins you lost. I hope you can find relief now and then from the pain. You are in my prayers.....all of you. Much love, Lisa
- By nicky_d_mom
- Posted July 25, 2009 at 6:54 pm
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My prayers are with you and your family . Stay strong and have faith in Our Lord he is mighty.
- By davynsmom
- Posted July 25, 2009 at 3:59 pm
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I am so sorry to hear that Natalie passed away. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Carla
- By Suppe
- Posted July 25, 2009 at 12:07 pm
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I am so sorry for your loss. I really wish you didn't have to go through this pain again. I am thinking of you and my heart aches for you. Please take care of yourselves. Keep talking with your husband, it helps. It helped us tremendously to deal with the loss of our babies.
- By katek
- Posted July 25, 2009 at 3:45 am
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I wish you and your family the very best during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
== Kate
- By Yolonda
- Posted July 25, 2009 at 3:07 am
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Dana,
I am so sorry for your loss. I hate that this "club" has another member. No parent should ever have to bear the weight of losng a child. I am so sorry for all of your losses Dana...I really am. I wish you nothing but peace underneath all of your grief. Please be gentle to yourself and take it one day at a time. Breath through the moments and dont be afraid to talk about Natalie.
Thinking of you,
Yolonda
Angel D'Lon Grace Mommy
- By beckhamsmom
- Posted July 24, 2009 at 4:18 pm
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I have been reading about your family and I am so sorry for the loss of your daughter. What a great mom you are to share her story. Sending our thoughts and prayers to your family.
- By lijn
- Posted July 24, 2009 at 12:33 pm
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Dana I am so very, very sorry to hear that your beautiful Natalie is unable to live her life with you! you must be going through absolute hell right now!! I am thinking about you and sending much, much love and prayers!
Lijn
- By mommieslittleman
- Posted July 24, 2009 at 10:06 am
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I can not imagine the feelings you are having today or any other day and I am sorry to hear about your loss, God had brought a very special angel into the world to be loved, even if it was for a very short time in this world, but she is in Heaven now and feels no pain, no wires and is watching over her family every minute of her moments in heaven.... God bless you for staying strong like you did, and I only wish that your little Natalie had woken up even for just a moment and was able to look into your eyes and hear those words you longed so very much to say, but you know she could hear you, she could feel you, she was just trapped inside and she knew you were there for her, but someday you will meet her again, and you will be able to hold her, love her, and talk to her you take care and god bless you and your family during this trying time...
Love,
Dawn and Family
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