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Our Story of Love at First Sight…

At 26 weeks Pregnant, my doctor FINALLY agreed to see me after much complaining and concern on my end regarding the swelling in my legs, feet, face, and hands, along with some pain in the upper right quadrant of my abdomen. I went in for a normal routine non-stress test--after that things happened very quickly. I was rushed into a room and given Magnesium via IV(helps with high blood pressure and stop seizures) I was told very rudely and bluntly by one of the doctors that I would be having my baby that day. I knew it was too early and that there could be complications, however I stayed as calm as I could for him-knowing the more upset I got the higher my blood-pressure would go and I would be putting my baby at more of a risk. I was then taken to Women & Children's Hospital of Buffalo where they were able to get my blood pressure down to a safe level. I began blood draws to test for tests for several things--ultimately the end re sult of the blood work was that my organs were starting to shut down. I had Preeclampsia and had gone onto HELLP Syndrome. Preeclampsia (pre-e-CLAMP-si-a) is a condition unique to human pregnancy. It is diagnosed by the elevation of the expectant mother’s blood pressure usually after the twentieth week of pregnancy combined with the appearance of excessive protein in her urine. Most women with preeclampsia will deliver a healthy baby and fully recover. However, some women will experience complications, several of which may be life-threatening to mother and/or baby. A woman’s condition can go from a mild form of preeclampsia to severe preeclampsia very quickly. Preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy can be devastating diseases, made worse by delays in diagnosis or management, seriously impacting or even killing both women and their babies before, during or after birth. Unfortunately, my case is the latter--My son did not survive due to comp lications of the Preeclampsia. I was able to hold him and tell him that I loved him before he passed peacefully in my arms. I, myself was very ill as well-Dr's were not sure if I would make it through the Emergency C-Section, as my blood pressure was at stroke level and they were having a hard time keeping it down even after delivery. I was hospitalized for a week after giving birth to my son to monitor me and get my blood pressure back to a more normal level and ensure that my organs would recover from the HELLP syndrome (life-threatening liver disorder thought to be a type of severe preeclampsia. It is characterized by Hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells), Elevated Liver enzymes (which indicate liver damage), and Low PlateletP count) I want to bring as much awareness to these diseases as possible--I invite you to join me in the "Walk to Remember" in October, not only to remember my beautiful baby boy, but to also honor all those other children and m others who lost their lives to this horrible disease.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and learn about our baby who will only live on in our hearts… forever. We would like to ask that you help the organization that has helped us and helps so many others in their times of need. All donations made to this page are made in loving memory of our baby gone too soon and will be used towards the WNYPBN’s Programs.