My daughter Elizabeth was born June 22, 2009. Early during the pregnancy we learned that she had a birth defect called Spina Bifida. Also known as “Split Spine,” this developmental birth defect affects 1 in every 1,000 children. There are 4 types of Spina Bifida; spina bifida occulta, spina bifida cystic (myelomeningocele), meningocele and lipmeningocele. The most common area’s that are affected are the lumbar and sacral areas.Myelomeningocele is the most significant form. Children with this form tend to have complete paralysis from the waist down. Many children rely on catheters and coloscopy bags to handle urine and stools. Some children never walk and depend greatly on others to help them with everyday tasks. Another significant problem is Hydrocephalus. This can cause a build up of fluid inside of the skull leading to the swelling of the brain. This often causes premature labors. If children experience high pressure and this is not caught early they may suffer from learning disabilities.
This even made all my worries disappear…for a moment.
The room was well lit, cold and very clean. You could smell a hint of Lysol in the air, because everything had to be sanitary. This was of course was where our daughter would be born. My wife was wheeled in on her bed in the center of the room. The OB-GYN Doctor was there with a team of nurses, or at least that’s what I assume they were. I’m sure there was an anesthesiologist or other specialists but I didn’t pay attention. All my focus was on my wife and soon to be daughter.
Heather was feeling great despite our situation, partly due to the partial epidural. She only received the first treatment and was feeling good. In fact, to good, her blood pressure started to drop. The baby was fine and Heather was too. Her slurred speech made the event very entertaining. Half of what she said I didn’t understand, and her Southern draw was kicking up with every passing moment.
As the time came to push Heather had a problem, she lost all feeling from her waist down. She couldn’t even tell she needed to push. I started to pick with her and told her a joke. She laughed at it and unintentionally pushed. The Doctor said that was great and cued me when to make her laugh again. This was becoming comical. I would make faces; tell stupid jokes just to make my wife laugh in the delivery room. I had to hold back tears because I wanted to be strong. We still didn’t know what to expect at the end.
When I first saw the “crown” of the baby I chocked. I knew any moment she would be here. As instructed by the Doctor I made my wife laugh one more time and Elizabeth Rose was born. On June 22, 2009 at 7:04 am she arrived. After only a few hours of labor, which was the, “Easiest part of the whole thing,” according to Heather, our little Princess was here.
Due to the delicate nature I was not allowed to cut the umbilical cord. When the Doctor did and cleared her nose and throat she cradled her. Lizzy took her first breath.Without a cry she laid in her arms as comfortable as can be. To quickly, the team of specialists took Elizabeth, also known as Lizzy these days, into a back room. They cleaned her and prepped her to be put in an incubation unit. Only as a precaution, because of the sugary she would soon face. Other’s took care of my wife, check her vitals and made sure she was comfortable.
Camera in hand I ask the doctor if I could see her before they left. They allowed me to go in. Alone with my daughter for the first time, I couldn’t hold back the tears. She lay on her stomach to reveal the small hole that would give her future many challenges. Flooded with emotions, I almost fell back. I leaned ever her and whispered, “Everything will be all right, Gods got you and Daddy’s here.” I took two pictures and kissed her forehead. I didn’t have it in me to say anything else.
I wiped my tears away and gave myself a moment. I knew I needed to be strong for my wife now. She needed my support. As I left the room I look back at my little angle, hoping and praying that she would overcome all these obstacles.
So far, after almost a year she has done great! She has continually exceeded in all her physical therapy goals! Her Doctors believe she will be able to walk within the next year. Her smile is endless, and watching her play on the floor you would never guess anything is slowing her down. She has limited feeling in her legs and bladder. So she needs to be catheterized at least 4 to 5 times in a day. Aside from that she is a very happy, active, and healthy child.
Thank you all for your love, prayers, and kind words…
