Footprints of an Angel

I was hoping that the hospital has their own version of a birth certificate with the baby's footprints just like in other hospitals. Pj had her own hospital birth certificate from Capiz Emmanuel Hospital. A half size bond paper with her footprints, hospital seal & signatures of my OB & the hospital director. I was sad to know that WVSU Medical Center don't have it. Manang Leslie (my nurse-Aunt who works at the ER) however, mentioned that there's a form where babies are foot printed right after birth.  After inquiring at the Medical Records, I was told that I cannot have the original form but they will allow me to photocopy it. So, I have it photocopied in a colored copier & also have it scanned. I intend to have it framed later. It's one of those treasures I will always hold dear..

Baby Edrei's footprints at birth

I remember this form. When I was already in my hospital room after giving birth, a male nurse went in & interviewed me as he filled up this form. He then asked me to sign at the lower portion. But Mama objected after reading the content.  My signature was to certify that I had received my baby for discharge. How I wish it turned out that way that after everything, I was to sign the form & bring my baby home. But God wanted it differently and I know it was for the best.

Baby Edrei left for more than 2 months now. His earthly body may be decomposed by now.. But his memory will always be etched in my heart..I will forever remember........

- his1st cry;

- the first time I saw him as I rested on the delivery table;

- his face; his tiny hands and feet;

- his eyes (so much like his Dad's);

- the way he looked at the nurse who teasingly called his name;

- how brave he was when he never cried as he lay on the xray table awaiting his upper GI series and the medtech collected blood sample from his toes;

- the way he looked at the all star cast during that special procedure upper GI series (every dept  sent their representative: OB, Pedia, Surgery, Xray,etc);

- how he grasped the oxygen tube in his nose and put those in his mouth;

- how he sucked his oversized pacifier which was rubber (we bought him a smaller one,specifically for his age & of a much better brand, but he wanted the bigger one);

- the way he lifted his hands on more than one of our visits as if to say hi when PJ & I would watch him on the viewing glass;

- the way he lay on his crib after each of his surgery;

- the way he cried when I was about to leave on one of my visit at the NICU and the way he slept when I hummed a lullaby;

- the way he looked so fragile when he was already intubated the day before he finally left;

- the way he helplessly lie on his cart as he was being resuscitated by the docs/nurses, and

- the way I had felt him close to me when I was finally able to carry him in my arms & hugged him after they declared a flat line..

I will always treasure those 49days he had fought his battle to be with us & to finish his mission.

I love you & I miss you Baby Edrei!!!!

                                                                                                                                                                               

C-JIA

I'd like to write about Baby Edrei's congenital anomaly. jejunuileal atresia is a medical term that many had asked me of its explanation.

Baby Edrei's condition was termed congenital jejunuileal atresia (JIA).. Jejunoileal atresia involves an obstruction of the middle region (jejunum) or lower region (ileum) of the small intestine. The segment of intestine just before the obstruction becomes massively enlarged (dilated), thus hindering its ability to absorb nutrients and propel its contents through the digestive tract. In 10 to 15% of infants with jejunoileal atresia, part of the intestine dies during fetal development. A significant percentage of infants with this condition also have abnormalities of intestinal rotation and fixation. Cystic fibrosis is also an associated disorder and may seriously complicate the management of jejunoileal atresia. (http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/info/abdomen/diagnose/obstructions.htm)

Types of jejunuileal atresia

There are 5 types of jejunuileal atresia. Type I, II, IIIA, IIIB & IV..Of these types Baby Edrei got type IV, that is multiple atretic segments. The rare type.

The anomaly can be diagnosed prenatally via ultrasound or shortly after delivery, as the intestinal blockage will cause abdominal distention, difficulty in feeding, and bowel movements & vomiting bile.  Baby Edrei's case was diagnosed beforehand in an ultrasound. So after birth, NGT was immediately placed to expel the air & bile trapped in the intestine that was obstructed & dilated.

The docs told me that the cause is unknown. As they said, there was nothing I could have done & haven't done during my pregnancy to have caused this anomaly in my baby. I researched about it & also found nothing as its cause.. As the Pedia Doc said, "gatuhaw lng na".   

When i researched about my baby's anomaly before & after he passed away, I had chanced reading about other congenital defects in babies. Other babies in the NICU has congenital defects too. There's a lot of birth defects just as there's a lot of people having cancer nowadays & a lot of types of cancers..  I will not be surprised if the chemicals in the food we eat, in the water we drink, in the things we use & in the air that we breathe are contributors in our present health dilemma.