As many know my pregnancy was normal. We were ready. Our baby was due March 1, 2006 and the only "problem" was that the baby was breech. We did not view this as an immediate threat, babies were breech all the time so when the doctor told us we were going to have a c-section if the baby did not turn by the 38th week, we didn't think anything of it. We go to choose when we wanted to officially become parents. We thought 2/22 would be a great day! Little did we know that someone had other plans for us.

At 4 a.m. on February 19, 2006, just hours after we got home from Brian's brother and sister in law's wedding my water broke. We called the doctor and the covering doctor called us back. We were instructed to go to the hospital, we did and go there in record time. We didn't even call our parents, we figured it was early and we would call after the baby was born and surprise them. I walked through the emergency room (since it was 440am and that is what were were supposed to do) to admitting. There they put me in wheel chair and up to labor and delivery. Upon entering the QUIET and barren L& D ward, we told the nurse that the baby was breech and she said, "Ok, lets get you hooked up. " I said I needed to use the bathroom and she said ok...

That was where my normal pregnancy changed to a unexpected life changing event.  I was rushed in for an emergency c-section. 

The next thing I remember I was back in the Labor and delivery room. I was groggy and just wanted to know if I had a baby. They told me it was a boy and there he was not breathing.  Brandon was immediately intubated and put on a respirator.  During this whole whirlwind, they explained that he had suffered brain damage and explained they are unsure how long he was without oxygen and asked me (told me?!?!?) that he should be transferred to Children's Hospital for a Brain Cooling study. I asked if I could see him, the doctor took our camera into the nursery and took some pictures of him. They wheeled him in to me in the incubator to keep him warm. I remember his blue/black eyes just staring at me.

Within an hour he was gone and we knew we had to call our parents. I didn't want to see anyone. Of course they all came. The fathers (new and old), Brian and the 2 new grandfathers went to Children's Hospital to see Brandon. The neonatalogist in charge of the brain cooling study explained the process. They perform an eeg to see if he qualifies, then they cool the brain for 72 hours while the rest of the body is in a warmer. This is supposed to suppress the chemicals in the brain that make the damage permanent.

Each day the family would take turns visiting me and Brandon. Reporting to me his progress and describing the NICU and just makng me try to feel better.

On 2/22 the cap came off and I was released for the hospital. We went straight to see Brandon. He was virtually comatose and on all kinds of tubes. The doctors explained each tube and answered all of my questions.

We continued this trek for the next 2 months. We could go all day, my father first thing in the morning and mom after work and Brian's parents would go from 9-1030pm or so (after a short nap). In mid March the social worker (and a nurse) mentioned going to a rehab and to help us to learn to take care of him at home, which of couse was our dream. We visited and loved it except for the distance (it is 1 1/2 hours away). We talked about family housing, which we were told there was a wait and checked out the local extended stay hotel (which offered us some discount).

 After a few tries to bring Brandon there, he apparently was comfortable where he was, we ended up in rehab, for us and him.  We remained there for 28 days.  I was there the whole time and Brian ended up working for a few weeks, 7 days 12 hours but he had to do it. 

On May 10, 2006 we were able to bring our angel baby home.   We were greeted by all four grandparents.  We had gotten all of our supplies the day before and were set. 

Unfortunately, he did not stay home for too long.  On Mother's Day night, we noticed he had a fever and we brought him to the ER where he was admitted for pneumonia.  We met our pediatrician, who we LOVE!  We were there for 4 more days and then came home again. 

 To be fair to me, on Father's Day is was a similar story.  We went to the ER during that week for a respiratory illness. 

 Summer 2006 was a good one.  Despite a few illnesses, we got to visit our family and go swimming here and there. 

It is safe to say that Brandon is loved by all and he brings a special happiness to everyone who sees him.  He is our little fighter and miracle.  He has endured to much in his short life already and taught us more that I had learned in my first 30 years.  We have had our tears but the good times, family and friends are what keeps us going.  He is our ANGEL BABY!