Follow Up to the "A Request" thread

[Mmagus]

Hi everyone,
Thank you for your many kind notes and thoughts. I have read them all to Rachel and they have been an encouragement. Many of you have been asking how things are going with my grandson Nathan, and my daughter Rachel.

Both are home and Nathan is doing well. He has gained about 3/4lbs, grown nearly an inch, and is breastfeeding succesfully. He is still a little guy at a bit over 5lbs. but is otherwise healthy. When the pediatrician tried to hear sounds from the hole in his heart, she was unable to and believes it may be closed already.



**Small Warning: Though I will try to be as non-graphic as I can, there will be a bit of detail that the faint of heart may not apreciate...Read on at your own risk**





Rachel is another thing entirely. The preeclampsia that prompted the early inducing and delivery of Nathan developed further into HELLP Syndrome, giving her liver a real workout. During the delivery of the placenta it came completly apart and she had to have a small opperation to remove it. She lost enough blood that her hemoglobin level was at a 7, borderline for a transfusion. They elected not to give her one and the process of rebuilding her levels (she needs to get to an 11) while recouping from childbirth and takng care of a premature newborn is tough. Due to the risk of her passing out we have not left her without someone in the home.

But wait...there's more...here is the real kicker...

In rare cases, women who have preeclampsia and or HELLPS can also develop Purtscher retinopathy. Which she has. Purtscher retinopathy causes severe vision loss and is usually caused by blunt force trauma (as in a car wreck). The risk factors for the development of the disease due to preeclampsia are unknown. There is no known treatment. Currently she can not read the "Big E" on the eye chart. All we can do is wait, hope and pray it gets better, which sometimes it does, though very rarely is all vision restored.

In our modern lives and through the wonders of science we sometimes forget just how big of a thing childbirth can be. I know I did.

[SDGT3]

Mark,

This can't be an easy time for you and your family. Glad the baby is doing well and hope that mom recovers fully. Having lived through a life and death scare during the birth of our third daughter, I can tell you first hand that we don't take anything for granted anymore. Having to monitor our daughter for 5 years to make sure there was no cerebral damage, loss of hearing and other cognitive problems was extremely taxing. I don't mean to preach, but the benefits of mother's milk and all the advantages that that brings cannot be understated. Coupled with the wonders of modern medicine, I hope that all turns out well for both mom and baby.

Peter

[David Polk]

My thoughts and Prayers are with you and yours my friend, Our Family had a scare a few weeks ago that turned out to be nothing, but, it made me appreciate what you have while you still have it, I have faith that things will turn out well.