Declan Alexander
Declan was born at 25 weeks, 5 days gestation because he developed fetal hydrops from the Parvo Virus B19. Declan's mom was exposed to fifth disease and passed it on to Declan while pregnant. He was delivered by scheduled c-section but not before the perinatologist extracted 100 cc of fluid from his abdomen and transfused him with fresh blood.
Declan had numerous health complications from the virus and prematurity but he was growing and thriving. Soon after he reached his 2 month mark he became very sick and was diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). He had exploratory surgery where the doctors discovered nearly all of his small intestines had died. There was nothing the doctors could do to help Declan recover. Declan passed away peacefully on May 23, 2008 in his mother's arms.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Although Declan was a breastfed baby and tolerating feeds he was at risk for NEC because he was a micro-preemie who required numerous blood transfusions.
I spent a lot of time in the NICU watching over and assisting in the care of our baby. My husband was home with our two older children caring for them while I stayed in the Ronald McDonald House near the hospital.
I was able to do Kangaroo Care on Declan's 8th day of life. He responded very well to holding and by the end of his life I was holding him three times a day for a minimum of one hour each time. The nurses allowed me to change diapers, give baths, administer breathing treatments, and change his clothes. I was able to point out when Declan wasn't acting like his normal self. With potentially a different nurse each day it was important that I could make note of an off day.
I took lots of pictures of Declan and he was known for his stylish blankets and clothing. I decorated his isolette with a picture of his two brothers and pictures his brothers and cousins made him. He had a monkey and a bunny hanging on or beside his bed during his hospital stay. We made it a happy place for him.
I read the book Essential Guide to Preemies, preemie magazines, and parenting magazines while spending time in the NICU with our son. The NICU staff became my second family, mentoring me through the experience. I made a point to get to know other NICU moms, some stayed at the Ronald McDonald House and others did not. I had lots of friends and family asking for regular updates so I blogged on CaringBridge and what once started out as baby updates became a personal diary of loving my baby from the NICU and later I would describe my struggles with grieving for my son.
