I have not yet mentioned one important event that happened on December...I became an aunt...again...and again. My sister-in-law Cobbie gave birth to identical twin girls, Anna Wells Llewellyn and Elizabeth Reed Llewellyn(Bess), on December 6th.
It was a frightening morning for the Llewellyn clan because we had not expected the twins arrival until later in December, but during a routine check-up and stress test, the doctors noticed that one of the twins, Bess, was struggling. While I am fuzzy on the details, she was struggling enough that the doctors whisked Cobbie into the hospital for an emergency C-section.
Several hours later I received the news that the twins had indeed arrived, but with some difficulty. Anna was delivered without difficulty, but Bess was born without a heartbeat and not breathing (it is still difficult for me to say that she was stillborn). However, the doctors resuscitated her and she "pinked up" quickly. Both twins were taken to the NICU where they were closely monitored and cared for. There was significant worry that Bess would not make it through the night. But she did, and over the next three weeks, the twins both made astounding progress - eating, moving, peeing, and pooping, just as babies do. The girls did so well, in fact, that talks of going home started over the Christmas holiday.
Anna went home first, while Bess stayed to make sure her body temperature was stable and to have an MRI. Given her difficult birth, this MRI had been the plan from Day 1. Two EEGs and head ultrasounds showed that she was doing well, but the MRI is a more definitive look at the brain to assess for any damage.
Without getting medically technical, we found out last week that Bess suffered a severe brain injury during birth. While we are not sure what exactly that will mean, the doctors have told my brother and Cobbie that Bess will certainly have physical and cognitive deficits. She will have cerebral palsy, the extent of which we are not yet sure.
We are all shocked by this news, as we all felt, and the doctors agreed, that she was making such great progress. I can safely say that I do not think I have ever felt such profound sadness. Joy that she was alive and stable and going home, but also scared and sad. I have not yet met these babies in person but I have loved them for nine months and anticipated their arrival with great excitement.
We have a lot to learn about what little Bess's life will be like, but we are praying for patience and peace as each day goes by. She and Anna are at home, with big sister Katie, and are keeping Cobbie and Charles busy with poopy diapers and hungry bellies.
Justin and I tried to get to B-Ham last weekend to visit our newest family members, but Katie Cobb had the flu and we could not make it. I hope to post some pics of these sweet babies soon.
If there is anyone out there actually reading this blog, please keep my family in your prayers, especially Charles, Cobbie, Katie, Anna, and Bess. There is a lot of uncertainty and a lot of questions that only time will answer...
Thank you!
Saturday night, the first night of the year, we had friends Doug and Erica over for dinner and game night. We cooked a great meal. Justin LOVES risotto and has always wanted me to make some so I have tried a few recipes out over the past few months. Risotto is actually very easy to prepare, its just takes a little stirring...
A Very Tardy and Incomplete Preggo Journal #2
6 years ago
