Delivering Luke
2 years ago Today 9/1/13, My wife gave Birth to our youngest son Luke. We consider him our miracle child because his conception was not supposed to be possible due to having the Essure procedure and 100% blockage HSG test. After the delivery, my wife had internal bleeding that the Dr. was unable to locate or explain. The Dr. tried several things from 2pm – 10pm including an emergency DNC. At around 10:30pm, they assured me they found the cause and everything was fine (for about the 8th time that day) . Dr went home again, my wifes parents went home, I texted everyone to let them know she was finally OK. The baby (not named yet because we wanted to hold him before we chose a name, was somewhere in the hospital with nurses). My wife was still very weak, but she had been through alot. She has been bleeding internally for about 9 hours now. I felt terrible for her and wanted to help, but I wasn’t scared. At about 11:15 pm, She passed a blood clot literally, the size of the baby. Her blood pressure dropped to 28/51. They called in emergency surgery team from home, again. Started the first of 3 blood transfusions. The anesthialogist burst into the room (In a good way, I believe he saved her life) and started yelling orders to the now 10 – 12 nurses in the room. They tilted the hospital bed to where her head was near the floor, feet to the ceiling, and put some kind of Iv’s or something in her neck. I didn’t know a hospital bed could do that. Raised the blood trans bag / IV high so it would go into her body faster. I was by her side the whole time up till now, I had to get out of their way. When I stood back to let them get at her, I noticed about 4 of the nurses were visibly crying at this point. It got frantic. I started to cry. I was in shock, I couldn’t believe this was happening. They started to wheel the bed out of room to surgery again. She said ‘Mister’ (That is what she always calls me). I ran back to her side. She had drifted in and out of consioucness at this point several times. Now we are in the hallway, Full force running with the bed, into elevator. In elevator, Holding her hand tight, ‘It hurts Mr., I can’t do this anymore’. Going out of elevator, take off at full sprint, IV wheel gets caught in floor gap, falls, rips her arm back as running with bed, she Screams, Dr. lifts it back up, I’m sorry Baby it won’t happen again. running again, through doorway, IV raised for faster entry into body, IV Hits top of door jamb, Falls over, rips her arm back, she Screams again, I Yell out ‘ You Mother !@###’s, I Grab it with 1 hand and carry it sideways remainder of the way, holding her hand with my other hand, running. approaching surgery doors, ‘Mister, is the baby OK?’, yes pretty girl, He is fine, he is with the nurses. ‘Did I do OK Mister?’ , You done great Baby, I’m so proud of you. ‘Why is this happening Mister?’ I don’t know baby, I’m so sorry baby. ‘Am I going to be OK Mister?’ Yes baby, you are going to be just fine, they know what it is this time (They don’t know what it is, exploratory surgery) ur going to be fine, I love you so much baby’. Hoping she hasn’t seen the tears streaming down my face. I can’t go any farther into surgery section of hospital, they continue running with the bed. Now dead silence. Suddenly alone. I’ve been up for 36 hours, no food for about 24. My head won’t function right, can’t think straight. It’s about 1:30 am. Not a soul to be seen. creepy quiet. I keep thinking, if she doesn’t make it, the last thing you told the most honest person you have ever known, was a lie. I’m in the waiting room alone. lights mostly out, holiday weekend. I look over and notice the light shining through the small single stained glass church window off of side of the waiting room / lobby. I know why that room is there. Can’t look at it again. I cry harder. ‘Dear God, I know I don’t do this very often. I’m sorry that I only talk to you when I want something. But I really need your help right now. Drop to my knees from the chair. I promise I’ll be a better person. I’ll quit smoking. If it’s because I didn’t really want another baby, I’m Sorry. Please don’t punish her for what I have done. I can’t do this without her. Please God, I’ll do any thing. I hear a door open. Is she OK???? Is she alright now???? , It’s the janitor. walks by slow, no eye contact. 2:30 am, I suddenly realize the last communication with family was ‘everything is fine’, I have to call her parents. Call, no answer, pray, cry, call, cry , pray, where is the un-named baby, is he ok, cry, pray. Am I going to get in trouble for ignoring the baby. I need a cigarette. Still no answer, what do I say on message. Pray, cry, pace, call my Mom. Mom, I don’t know what to do! Mom is coming. Anthsesiaologist comes out, Mr. Schmidt, We found an abdominal tear. I assure you she will be fine. They told me that 10 times now, I don’t believe you. He said ‘ I guarantee you she is fine now’ and she was/ is. Thank you God! Medically induced rest, ICU. Full recovery. Luke has been One of the most precious gifts in my life. His birthday is one of the Best and worst day of my life at the same time. I love you Lora, Luke, Mom, and all my Family. Thank you God, sorry bout the whole still smoking thing. Sorry bout the book everyone. But sometimes it helps to just let it out. Happy Bday Luke, You are a very special boy.
John E. Schmidt