Hello my name is Elayna i am a 19 year old mother of 1. My husband and I are currently trying for #2, below is the story of my son, Weslee Raymond.

On September 11, 2006 I went in for my first ultrasound, I was so excited because this would be my first child! Everything seemed to be going great until that dreadful face appeared on ultrasound tech’s face, she ended up bringing in the head of the department and another doctor, but no one could tell me anything. Fifteen minutes after I left I found out that it was possible that my son had CDH on the right side. I was immediately sent to a perinatal doctor in my area that confirmed that it was true, except that is was on the left. I had an amniocentesis done, but luckily it wasn’t genetic, it also told me that I was having a little boy; the news was very bittersweet. My doctor gave me three choices, Riley, St. Vincent, or Cincinnati Children’s; having done my research I knew that Cinci was the best choice, even though it was almost 3 hours away.
I went down to Cincinnati on Oct 11 for the usual MRI, ultrasound, and ECHO. At the end of the day I went in for my “Team Meeting” where they told me that not only was Weslee’s stomach up in his chest, but his liver was heading that way as well. They explained my choices, which included EXIT to ECMO; of course everything at that time sounded like gibberish, I never understood a word. They informed me that I would need to relocate down there 2 weeks prior to delivery, that news made it all the worse. After all of that life returned to a semi-normal state until I went back down for what I hoped would be a nice long stay. I went down there on January 1, and delivered Weslee Raymond on January 15. My husband and I chose EXIT to ECMO. I was in surgery for what they told me was 4 hours, and Wes came out as fine as could be expected. I spent four days in the hospital going to see my baby as soon and as often as I could. He did fine for about the first week, then he started having kidney problems, he was becoming unable to get rid of excess fluids, which they were pumping him full of. He made it 1 week and 5 days on ECMO. They were doing different tests such as ultrasounds everyday. On that Sunday they found that he had a 1cm area on his brain from which he was bleeding because of the blood thinners he was on. They took him off of ECMO and he seemed to do fine, but he was continually getting bigger from all the fluids. They tried and tried to get him to get rid of it, but it just wasn’t happening. On Tuesday everyone could tell that Weslee just wasn’t going to pull through, his doctor told us that Wes needed a break in the next 12-24 hours and if he didn’t get that break then there would be nothing else that they could do for him. At 7:45am the next morning we got a phone call and my husband and I immediately rushed over to the hospital and found that his blood oxygen levels had dropped off and weren’t improving. That was it, the straw that broke the camels back. We got our family down there that day to meet Wes, everyone got to hold him and share in the bittersweet event we were experiencing. We dressed him in a pointy hat and yellow John Deere socks, he looked so cute. I told everyone that day that he walked into heaven dragging the blankie his grandma made him, wearing his socks, hat, and diaper proud. I was the first and last person to hold him, my little baby boy died in my arms; the date was January 31, 2007. Weslee never suffered, or so they told us.
His funeral was the next Saturday. He looked so angelic in striped sailboats. He may have physically left the world, but as all little babies do, he made an impact on everyone he met. It has only been 6 months, but it seems like it was just yesterday. I am 19, a mother of one, and the strongest person I know. The day I let Wes go was the proudest moment of my life, I was doing the most selfless thing that I would probably ever do in my life. I live every day for my son, to make him proud of his momma.

Written by: Elayna
Mother of Weslee Raymond
Born: January 16, 2007
Died: January 31, 2007

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--Elayna
In memory of Weslee Raymond
January 16, 2007- January 31, 2007

Wow heartbreaking and uplifting. I love your attitude and you will be a great addition to the boards. Best wishes to you on TTC #2. There are lots of great women that are on here that are very supportive during this emotional time of TTC.

Welcome!!

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Welcome to the boards Elayna and I am so sorry to hear about your loss.

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It's a good thing that I am typing this post b/c I am bawling and the tears are dripping down my face and chest. There's no way I would be able to talk right now if I had to.

Elayna~ Welcome to the boards. I am so sorry for your loss and I admire your strength. Your story is very encouraging and I wish you the best of luck in TTC#2.

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Wow, all I can say right now is welcome, you will find some really good friend here. Looking forward to getting to know you. Sorry for your loss, my heart aches for you and your family.

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Elayna - welcome! I am almost at a loss for words. Although you are 19, you sound very very mature and some times life does that to you. I agree you are a very strong woman and I am sure Weslee is very proud of his mommy! Good luck with ttc!

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Elayna - Welcome to the boards. You are an incredibly strong woman to have gone through giving birth and then losing your baby. I am extremely sorry for your loss.

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Welcome to the forum and thank you for sharing your story. I am so sorry to hear about your loss but I am glad to hear that you and your husband have been able to move forward with your lives. I am sure your son is happy to know that you are working on a sibling for him that will experience the life that he never got a chance to. I am new to the boards as well so I'm sure we will share alot during the TTC period.

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Wow what a strong woman u are...I admire the strength u have to share ur story and not sounding bitter about it. Well wleocme to the boards and good luck with ttc #2.

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Elayna~

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*cries* I am so sorry for your loss. As everyone else has said....you are a very strong woman.

Lots of baby dust to you!!!

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Your story made me tear up...you are a strong woman. I admire you. I am sure you are making your son proud! I am so sorry that you had to go through that.
Welcome to the boards! I am glad to have you here!!! Good luck TTC #2.
If you need anything, the women on these boards are amazing!

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Welcome

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Elayna



Here is the link to the new TTC section.... http://www.conception-tips.com/viewt...2061&start=150

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Hi Elayna,

Here is a poem from Gina that was somehow deleted from the thread:



Welcome to the forum.

jer

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