So, This is how Trent's story begins...At week 20 of my pregnancy, Wayne and I went to the doctor to have an ultrasound (This is the one they call the anatomy scan). They check all the major organs to be sure that everything is growing and functioning as it should. We had already had an ultrasound around week 17 and
knew that I was carrying a precious boy...but were still excited to get another glimpse of him and to have the scan to be sure that everything was just perfect with him. As the tech was going through the ultrasound, she was saying things like "look at that beautiful baby"..."that looks perfect"...and then all of a sudden she got really quiet. Then she said, "I'm not seeing everything that I need to see with the baby's heart, let me go get the doctor". Wayne and I kind of looked at each other with raised eyebrows and thought it's probably just the way he's laying or something. The doctor came in and took a look at what the tech was seeing...then they go into medical language that Wayne and I do not understand for about 3-5 minutes. Finally, I said, "Is everything okay?" Then the doctor told us that he wanted us to go for a more in depth ultrasound because they could not see the baby's heart function as they should be able to. I asked the tech if it was possible that we'd get to the other place to have an in-depth ultrasound and they would tell us that everything is just fine. She kept it short and said "I don't know...I don't see this that often." At this point I started to worry a little because this ultrasound tech has about 20 years experience. So, we finished up with her and went in for the appointment with the doctor. He was sort of vague about the whole thing so we really did not know how serious things would be. In the parking lot of the doctor's office, Wayne could tell that I was worried. He said, "Don't get yourself worked up...let's just go see what they say"...but he knew that I could not hold back. So, then he said, "if you need to let it out...go ahead." And I had a good cry right there in the parking lot. Two days later we would go for the in-depth ultrasound. We told our close friends and family that they couldn't quite get a good look at the heart and that we'd be going in two days to just confirm that everything was okay. Two days later we arrived in Charlotte for our in depth ultrasound. Everyone there was very nice and accommodating. We were immediately taken back by the ultrasound tech and started to do the ultrasound. As she was doing the ultrasound she began to ask us what why our ob had sent us there and what all they had told us. The longer we watched her with the ultrasound the more apparent it became that something was definitely wrong with our baby's heart. She told us after several minutes of looking at the ultrasound herself that the doctor would be in shortly to talk to us about their findings. Once she left the room to get the doctor I looked over at Wayne and could tell he was as concerned as I was...I could no longer hold my emotions in and immediately began to cry. The doctor came in just a few moments later along with a genetics specialist. He began to look at the ultrasound and explain to us that he believed that our baby has a very serious heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). He explained the condition briefly and then the genetics specialist began to ask questions about our family history. After several moments of this he told us to take a few minutes and then meet us in his office where they could talk to us. Wayne and I composed ourselves and then went to sit down with the doctor and the geneticist. Over the next hour or two they explained to us what HLHS is and the seriousness of the condition. They told us that this is just a random thing that happens...and that there was nothing we did or could have done to prevent it. This condition occurs in about 4 out of 10,000 live births worldwide. They told us about a series of surgeries that our baby would need to have in order to survive. After they told us these things they told us that there are chances that our baby would not make it at birth or through the surgery. They even went as far to tell us that some women and families cannot put themselves through this type of pain and end up ending their pregnancies. At this point, Wayne and I were just basket cases...we could not contain ourselves. We began to weep uncontrollably. The doctor and geneticist all the while were very sympathetic and just kept telling us how sorry they were that we were having to go through this. They then explained to us that we would go to a pediatric cardiologist and have a fetal echo cardiogram to confirm their findings and talk to them about our next steps. The next few days were pretty bleak around our house. We had to tell our parents and siblings and close friends what we were dealing with. That was pretty traumatic. We were just absolutely devastated. Wayne and I both have never really had to deal with anything very difficult like this...we kept thinking...this thing doesn't happen to us...this is something you read about or see on t.v. A few days later we went for the fetal echo cardiogram and it was confirmed that our baby would be born with HLHS. We talked with the cardiologist and asked a ton of questions. We got some comforting news when we found out that most babies do make it to surgery and that the doctors in Charlotte have some of the highest success rates in the country with this surgery. Since that time we have done research, talked to some people who have dealt with this condition first hand, and reality has set in of what we will go through in just a few days. We know that the road will be long and rough...but we also know that God is still on the throne and that he can be glorified in and through this no matter how our baby takes his introduction to the world. I always thought that if something like this happened to me that I would be angry with God. But I really have a peace about it..and so does Wayne. We often wonder why God chose us for this or allowed this to happen to us and our baby. But it's more about what we can do to share Trent's story and possibly touch another life rather than blaming God or being mad at Him. We hope that you continue to follow us the last few days of my pregnancy and through Trent's journey. We are excited to see how God is going to use him and us to bring glory to Himself.
Wayne and Holly
knew that I was carrying a precious boy...but were still excited to get another glimpse of him and to have the scan to be sure that everything was just perfect with him. As the tech was going through the ultrasound, she was saying things like "look at that beautiful baby"..."that looks perfect"...and then all of a sudden she got really quiet. Then she said, "I'm not seeing everything that I need to see with the baby's heart, let me go get the doctor". Wayne and I kind of looked at each other with raised eyebrows and thought it's probably just the way he's laying or something. The doctor came in and took a look at what the tech was seeing...then they go into medical language that Wayne and I do not understand for about 3-5 minutes. Finally, I said, "Is everything okay?" Then the doctor told us that he wanted us to go for a more in depth ultrasound because they could not see the baby's heart function as they should be able to. I asked the tech if it was possible that we'd get to the other place to have an in-depth ultrasound and they would tell us that everything is just fine. She kept it short and said "I don't know...I don't see this that often." At this point I started to worry a little because this ultrasound tech has about 20 years experience. So, we finished up with her and went in for the appointment with the doctor. He was sort of vague about the whole thing so we really did not know how serious things would be. In the parking lot of the doctor's office, Wayne could tell that I was worried. He said, "Don't get yourself worked up...let's just go see what they say"...but he knew that I could not hold back. So, then he said, "if you need to let it out...go ahead." And I had a good cry right there in the parking lot. Two days later we would go for the in-depth ultrasound. We told our close friends and family that they couldn't quite get a good look at the heart and that we'd be going in two days to just confirm that everything was okay. Two days later we arrived in Charlotte for our in depth ultrasound. Everyone there was very nice and accommodating. We were immediately taken back by the ultrasound tech and started to do the ultrasound. As she was doing the ultrasound she began to ask us what why our ob had sent us there and what all they had told us. The longer we watched her with the ultrasound the more apparent it became that something was definitely wrong with our baby's heart. She told us after several minutes of looking at the ultrasound herself that the doctor would be in shortly to talk to us about their findings. Once she left the room to get the doctor I looked over at Wayne and could tell he was as concerned as I was...I could no longer hold my emotions in and immediately began to cry. The doctor came in just a few moments later along with a genetics specialist. He began to look at the ultrasound and explain to us that he believed that our baby has a very serious heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). He explained the condition briefly and then the genetics specialist began to ask questions about our family history. After several moments of this he told us to take a few minutes and then meet us in his office where they could talk to us. Wayne and I composed ourselves and then went to sit down with the doctor and the geneticist. Over the next hour or two they explained to us what HLHS is and the seriousness of the condition. They told us that this is just a random thing that happens...and that there was nothing we did or could have done to prevent it. This condition occurs in about 4 out of 10,000 live births worldwide. They told us about a series of surgeries that our baby would need to have in order to survive. After they told us these things they told us that there are chances that our baby would not make it at birth or through the surgery. They even went as far to tell us that some women and families cannot put themselves through this type of pain and end up ending their pregnancies. At this point, Wayne and I were just basket cases...we could not contain ourselves. We began to weep uncontrollably. The doctor and geneticist all the while were very sympathetic and just kept telling us how sorry they were that we were having to go through this. They then explained to us that we would go to a pediatric cardiologist and have a fetal echo cardiogram to confirm their findings and talk to them about our next steps. The next few days were pretty bleak around our house. We had to tell our parents and siblings and close friends what we were dealing with. That was pretty traumatic. We were just absolutely devastated. Wayne and I both have never really had to deal with anything very difficult like this...we kept thinking...this thing doesn't happen to us...this is something you read about or see on t.v. A few days later we went for the fetal echo cardiogram and it was confirmed that our baby would be born with HLHS. We talked with the cardiologist and asked a ton of questions. We got some comforting news when we found out that most babies do make it to surgery and that the doctors in Charlotte have some of the highest success rates in the country with this surgery. Since that time we have done research, talked to some people who have dealt with this condition first hand, and reality has set in of what we will go through in just a few days. We know that the road will be long and rough...but we also know that God is still on the throne and that he can be glorified in and through this no matter how our baby takes his introduction to the world. I always thought that if something like this happened to me that I would be angry with God. But I really have a peace about it..and so does Wayne. We often wonder why God chose us for this or allowed this to happen to us and our baby. But it's more about what we can do to share Trent's story and possibly touch another life rather than blaming God or being mad at Him. We hope that you continue to follow us the last few days of my pregnancy and through Trent's journey. We are excited to see how God is going to use him and us to bring glory to Himself.
Wayne and Holly
3 comments:
I am Debbie Self, Adam's Mom and I work with Michelle Williams at the City of York. Your story is so touching and truly honors God. We will keep you in our prayers.
David & Debbie Self
I couldn't get through your story without shedding tears. My prayers are with baby Trent and you all. Two things, he is strong and he is being born into a strong and faithful family. Your faith in God will carry you through no matter what. I believe in the power of prayer. Holly, I've know you since you were a little girl and you've grown into such a loving mother and wonderful person. Whatever the reason your family is going through all this, we dont know right at this moment. But God has a plan for us all. I love you and if you need anything, please let me know. You have my prayers and I look forward to meeting and holding that sweet baby Trent. Donna W.
Thank You Holly and Wayne for sharing your story with us! My prayers are with you all and your loved ones!
Tonya Amick
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