Sunday, December 21, 2008

My 2nd Miracle is 8!

We all know that today is the first day of winter, but did you also know that this is Lauren's 8th birthday? Yeah Lauren!

Eight years ago today I went in for a scheduled c-section. Schedule the birth of a baby all you want but it never goes the way you want it to!

Let us rewind to nine years ago...October 1999. I was 12 weeks pregnant and began to have a miscarriage. I had been through this twice before, so I knew what was happening. I was getting ready to go to the ER when I started bleeding at a really fast pace. I wasn't sure what was happening. I had miscarried before but it wasn't like this. Len called 911. The neighbor across the street was an EMT. He came running! I told him I knew what was happening but this just seemed different. By the time they got me to the hospital my blood pressure was 60/30....I was hemmoraghing and I was losing blood at a very fast rate. I remember looking at Len and all I could manage to say was "Help me." He yelled at the nurse and when they checked me it was far worse than anyone had anticipated. I was taken to the operating room to stop the bleeding. Once again, just like when I carried Emily, there were tumors except this time they had separated and taken the baby with them. They wanted to do a transfusion, but with all the talk of diseased blood I was scared. I refused. So the Dr. told me that it could take as long as 18 months to re-coop the blood. I had strict orders to not get pregnant again for at least 2 years.

Fast forward, 6 months later. Guess what? You got it....I got pregnant. This baby was due on Christmas Day 2000. Needless to say Doc was not thrilled! Three miscarriages, an emergency c-section, hemmoraghing, not to mention the fact it was hard for me to even concieve without meds. Oh yea and I was pushing 40!

The Dr. scheduled me for December 21, 2000, so we could be home for Christmas. We went to the operating room so I could get my spinal started.....the trouble begins. The anesthesiologist could not get it in. She just kept shoving and pushing...I wanted to slug her! As soon as the medicine began to take effect it felt odd. Once again, I turned to my DH and all I could do was spit, I couldn't even speak! I felt hot and cold at the same time. I was in heart failure! The meds as far as they could figure out had done this. I was the first woman that they had ever had in the cardiac care unit with a newborn. They had to take care of me and Lauren. Also they found that Lauren had 2 little holes in her heart, Thankfully, they closed up within 6 months without any further complications. Anyway, after all of that, here is how it ends up........my sweet little Lauren!
This is my Dad holding Lauren right after she was born. He had just finished up his last round of chemo that morning and he and mom came to see us. He was battling cancer for the second time. Lauren loves this picture.

Here we are at a get together when she was about 3 or 4 months old.

We call this one "The spaghetti face picture." I love it!


I love this picture of Lauren. My sister Sheila took it at the last birthday party we ever had for Dad.


We were at a school picnic together, here.


And,this is her Kindergarten graduation.


Here she is on the first day of school this year.


And here's my baby now! I love you Lauren! You are a wonderful little girl! Happy Birthday!

15 comments:

•♦•©The Olde Weeping Cedar •♦• said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY-Lauren!!!!
Hope you have the most wonderful B-day ever!! :)

Beth..."miracle" is right!

May God continue with the blessings! ;)

Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful Family!

hugs-Kath

Oh---and I LOVE the Soldiers Twas the Night Before Christmas! Thanks for adding it to your music list...I was goin to post the poem itself....I like how you did it, much better! I hope everyone gets a chance to listen to it!(hugs)

basketsnprims said...

Happy Birthday, Lauren.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Pam

.... said...

Happy Birthday to my sweet little cousin Lauren!

Robin Beck said...

Wow Beth,
What a amazing story. It's a miracle that you and the your 2nd miracle are here! What a beautiful story and Happy Birthday Lauren!
I'm so glad you stopped by my blog and left a comment~Thank you.
I do hope you and your beautiful family have a very Merry Christmas,
Robin~♥

Terry said...

Awwwwwwwww!!! Happy Birthday Lauren!

She truly is a miracle Beth, and what a cutie! I love that smile!
I couldn't have anymore after the twins - had to have a hysterectomy in my 30's, so I loved it my hubby had custody of his girls.
Little girls are so much fun, and so sweet!
Hope Lauren had a fantastic day!

Terry

Yankee Ridge Primitives said...

WOW Beth, thats quite an experience. Thank goodness for that little sweetheart

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

WOW - a true miracle baby! What a story Beth. My first born was an emergency c-section and I can still remember the panic. I am so happy it all ended wit your beautiful daughter. Happy Birthday Lauren!!

Picket said...

Morning friend!!! Happy Birthday to your beautiful miracle! What a great testimony! I want to thank you so much for coming by and for the encouraging comments...I am rejoicing today..the Lord has lifted the heaviness and no more tears! Merry Christmas to you & yours my friend!

{lauren} said...

Happy birthday a day late from one Lauren to another:) I am amazed at your stories, Beth. God has truly blessed you with two miracles! I hope that your Christmas is going wonderfully! <3Lauren

Teresa said...

Happy Birthday Lauren!!

I can understand your fear and trauma as I was in and out of the hospital with my first for the last 2 months of the pregnancy due to a placenta previa. The scary runs to the ER in the middle of the night due to bleeding..2 miscarriages, absolute terror, fear and sadness and finally, that perfect moment when you get to hold them for the first time. It is truly a miracle and it couldn't have happened in a better time of the year!!

May you and your family have a wonderful holiday!


Teresa

Susan said...

Oh, Beth, what a sweet story. And yes, it is a miracle that you both are here. Have a blessed Christmas.

My Colonial Home said...

Happy Birthday Lauren!
Oh what a beautiful but painful story.
Every birth is a blessing and so happy you can continue to celebrate this little mirical.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!
Karen

Rue said...

Happy Birthday Lauren!! You really are a miracle :)

That was an amazing story Beth! I'm so glad everything turned out okay for the both of you :)

I want to wish you and your family a Very Merry Christmas and a very Blessed New Year!

hugs,
rue

Colleen/And Baby Makes Five said...

Lauren most certainly is a miracle! Such a moving story with equally sweet pictures. Happy Birthday!!!

Lisa said...

Wow what a miracle to tell your family and friends about. I love prim decor too. Here's my blog if you want to look. www.houseofmanyblessings.blogspot.com You might have to scroll around a bit, I entered a few xmas meme's on decorating and such.
Lisa