Aiden's Arrival: Through Auntie's Eyes

The last three days have been a whirlwind for my sister and her husband with the arrival of their son Aiden. His arrival into this world has been wrought with emotions. Here is the story through my eyes:

My sister went into labor Saturday, July 18. Her due date was July 27. The baby was breach so they did a c-section which she was expecting as they knew about the baby’s position ahead of time.
However, when you have a c-section you aren’t allowed to get up off your bed for 8 hours or more. After he was born they showed the baby to her as she was lying on the operating table, as they normally do, but then they took him to the nursery to test him.

Being a full-term baby, his birthweight was low at 5 lbs., 4 oz. His blood sugars also tested low, enough so they considered it critical.
Typically, all the initial nursery care on a healthy baby is completed within 60-90 minutes and the baby can be brought to mom. However, several hours after he was born, my sister still hadn’t been brought her baby. Bits and pieces of information filtered out and eventually at the 8 hour mark, she asked to be able to get up and be wheelchaired to the nursery.

Once there she was able to hold the baby for a few minutes but then his coloring turned grey. After more tests they determined he may have other heart issues that also needed to be dealt with. A number of decisions and plans were made and re-made elevating everyone’s fear level. Finally, they brought the baby in for her to say good-bye to him before transporting him to Boston Children’s Hospital, (a level 3 NICU) about an hour away from where she was. He was hooked up to monitors, wires, tubes, and IV, etc. This was very difficult for her to see as was just having to say good-bye to him. At this point she was told she’d be staying in the current hospital (an hour away) separated from her baby while she recovered from her c-section. Her husband was going to leave also and follow the baby to Boston. After all the stress she was under, we were all worried she might break down.

Meanwhile, my mom and I were still back in Minnesota. My mom had planned to fly out there Tuesday (today) according to the initial planned c-section meant to be Wednesday, July 22. A flurry of phone calls were made between us.

Many Angels on Earth showed up to provide support for her. At one point I spoke to my husband’s cousins who live out by my sister and who happen to be dear friends of mine. When I told them about the recent developments, they said, “Where is she? We’re on our way.” After a long day of their own, they hopped in the car and went to see my sister, who they consider family. We heard they would be able to transfer my sister to a hospital in Boston also so she could be closer to her baby. Despite texting this info to my friends suggesting they needn’t go sit with my sister, they went anyway. Thankfully they took matters into their own hands because my sister ended up not getting transferred for almost 2 hours. They stayed with her until they literally shut the ambulance doors to take her to Brigham and Women’s. Their presence during a very scary time has been an eternal source of comfort for my sister and something I appreciate more than anything. Some people just know when it’s necessary to drop everything and be there for another person no matter what, whether they are your best friend, an acquaintance or somebody you just met. I have the utmost admiration and respect for people who are so giving and compassionate. Not everyone is. Prior to that, the doctor who delivered her baby (and also happened to deliver my first child 10 years ago) provided a great deal of support above and beyond normal expectation under the circumstances.

Back in Minnesota, my mom anguished over whether or not to fly out early. She was having trouble with changing her ticket which became a several hour ordeal causing her and I both to get zero sleep that night. I spent some time talking to my oldest and dearest friend from North Dakota who shared her experiences with four nieces and nephews who spent time in NICU’s and had her sister (who is a nurse) help answer some questions and shed some light on the situation.

With several unanswered questions about the baby’s health, my wonderful husband got up in the middle of the night (okay, 4 a.m.) and got my mom to the airport where she was finally able to get her ticket changed and fly out to be with my sister.

The last few days have been one giant test in faith, hope and love. Many, many hours were spent on the phone encouraging, listening, supporting, praying.One exceptionally moving experience was when I shared the news of my sister’s birth with an acquaintance early on during Saturday before things turned scary. When I updated her Sunday morning about the events of the night before, she shared she had a feeling in the middle of the night that she just had to wake up and pray for my sister and her baby. Her story sends chills up my spine. In my heart, she has moved firmly into the friend category. She doesn’t consider herself an angel but God definitely is working through her to touch my spirit and my family’s. It brings tears to my eyes how much care and concern some people can have for strangers. Every single person’s prayers and well wishes have and do make a difference.

It is now three days later and my sister has had some complications with her own health. The trek between her room is quite far from the NICU where they baby is but she is determined to spend as much time with him as she can. They had a good discussion with the NICU doctor and head nurse today and learned that many of the baby’s health issues have been resolved. They are still concerned about stabilizing his blood sugars. He will likely not be leaving the hospital when my sister is released (which will be tomorrow or the next day depending on if they can resolve her minor complications).

They learned quite a bit more about the circumstances surrounding the baby’s situation. There are more questions to be answered but the good news is he is eventually going to be okay. We aren’t sure when he will be able to go home but he is making progress and that is very encouraging.

I can tell just by talking to my sister she feels more relieved and is feeling much more hope. This has been a difficult and challenging journey beginning with her pregnancy in which so many various little annoyances occurred from terrible morning sickness to trouble hearing the baby’s heart beat to contracting swine flu last month.

It’s been quite an emotional roller coaster to say the least. My sister has learned that she has a family who loves her and will do anything to be there for her in her time of need. She also has friends, acquaintances and even strangers who are investing time into praying for her and sending positive thoughts.

I’ve learned a lot and have been reminded of some really good lessons this past week too.
1) God is always with us. He shows up in the most unexpected places sometimes, which makes him all the more awe-some.
2) It is possible to love and miss someone you have never met to the point of tears as I do my baby nephew.
3) No matter how old you are, there are times when you still really want and need your mommy.
4) Sisters can say and do things for you that nobody else can.
5) In times of greatest need is when your friends will reveal the truth about how much they do (or don’t) care about you. Those that rise to the top are treasures to hold onto forever.
6) Things don’t always go as planned and babies have a mind of their own.

Great big giant thanks to everyone who has taken time to wish my sister and her baby well, prayed for her or spent time refueling my spirit, my mom’s and my sister’s husband’s during this crazy couple of days. Whether it’s been through private prayers of your own, a quick email or phone call, or even a little smiley faced note on facebook, knowing that you are thinking of us and reminding us you have us in your hearts has lightened the load. We probably haven’t been the easiest bunch to deal with the last few days but those of you who haven’t given up on us have our eternal gratitude.