Our Story

This story could start back 15 years. That is how long Wes has been waiting for a son of his own. For me, the story is a little shorter. I have fluctuated from not wanting to wanting to have kids, but I always wanted Stoic. We went throough IVF treatment to become pregnant and were very cautious about telling anyone because of a previous miscarriage and some early complications in the pregnancy. We later learned that Stoic had a CCAM, a congenital lung defect. Stoic just seemed to be such a little champion throughout it all. He was growing very well, his heart function was good and he moved around, A LOT. We had lots of ultrasounds performed by various doctors and technicians and we always got the comment that he was a very active baby. The majority of babies with CCAMs have a good outcome with surgery after birth the most likely course of action. Unfortunately Stoic's tumor grew very large and was taking up a lot of space. After an ultrasound showed fluid build up in his belly we flew to San Francisco for treatment at the Fetal Treatment Center at UCSF. I was given steroids to help prevent further growth of the tumor. It seemed to be working. After a week of monitoring there was no growth in the tumor. And then I started leaking fluid. Tests showed that it was amniotic fluid. We were told that it was possible that delivery would be delayed but that it was also possible that I would go into labor in the following 24-48 hours. I was already having contractions and by that evening it was clear that our child would be born very soon. We saw a number of doctors and discussed our options. Stoic was at 24 weeks gestation. Babies can survive when born at 24 weeks but they do not have great odds. Stoic was essentially down an entire lung and so his chances were even worse. He was born very early on September 2, 2008 (without epidural I might add) and lived for about an hour. All parents think their child is beautiful, but he really was. In his ultrasounds he always had his hands up around his head. When he was born, he was holding his ears and when we moved his hand, his ear stayed bent. I think he must have been playing with his ears a lot.

The most frequent comment I have heard from people is "I don't know what to say." I know, I don't know what to say either. Do I think Wes's bike ride is a little strange? Yes, but it's a very "Wes" thing to do and that is why I love him.

-Penny

From the March of Dimes:

Prematurity has been escalating steadily and alarmingly over the past two decades. In 2005, more than 525,000 infants were born prematurely, the highest number ever reported for the U.S. In 2005, the United States as a society paid at least $26.2 billion in economic costs associated with preterm birth (medical and educational expenses, loss in productivity).

Preterm delivery can happen to any pregnant woman. In about four out of every 10 cases, the causes are unknown.

The March of Dimes has taken on this devastating problem—to find out what causes it and how it can be stopped. The March of Dimes was established in 1939 by President F.D. Roosevelt, originally to find a cure for Polio. Ever since developing the vaccine, this venerable organization has been funding cutting edge research and innovative programs to save babies from birth defects, premature birth and low birth weight. Prematurity is the leading killer of America's newborns. Those who survive often have lifelong health problems, including cerebral palsy, mental retardation, chronic lung disease, blindness and hearing loss.

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