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October 14, 2005 to May 9, 2006
On October 14, 2005 is when our lives changed forever when I had found out that I was pregnant, I was so excited to finally start our own family. I had lost a baby 8 years ago. I told my husband after dinner one night and he just had this big smile on his face. He didn't know what to say. My first doctors visit was on November 1, 2005. Dr. Tissier my OB-GYN checked me out and everything was fine. He told me that my due date would be June 24, 2006. I was so happy because June is my Mothers birth month. December 2, 2005 was my next appointment and He couldn't hear the baby's heart beat so he looked at the baby with a ultrasound machine and the baby was OK. At this time I was 10 weeks. I could see Dakota's arms & legs moving all around. I started to cry cause it was so amazing. January 11,2006 I went to Dr. Tissier and he checked me out and said everything was still OK. February 6, 2006 was the day I found out there was something wrong with Dakota. The nurse doing my ultrasound seen that her left kidney was bigger then the right side. The nurse had taken a lot of pictures to show the doctor. My next visit was February 10, 2006. Dr. Tissier explained to me that this could be very serious or it might not be. He wanted to send me to St. Mary's Hospital to have a level 2 ultrasound done, just to make sure every thing was OK.
February 27, 2006 Dr. Amon the Maternal-Fetal specialist at St. Mary's Hospital looked for over a half hour at my ultrasound findings. He determined that the baby had CDH aka Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. What is this? It is when the diaphragm does not completely close, a hole in the diaphragm where the stomach and the intestines are push up in to the chest cavity. Pushing the heart over to the right and putting pressure on the developing lungs not letting them grow. Dr. Amon told us that even with having the surgery it didn't guarantee that she would make it. He recommended that I have a amniocentesis done, to check and see if I had any chromosome abnormalities, which could result in more defects in the baby. I could have the procedure done that same day. I was so upset I didn't know what to do. I called my husband "Thomas" and he said if it was in the best interest of the baby then to go ahead and do it. I plan to have it done anyway. I talked to a Genetic Counselor that same day. She asked me questions about our family having any birth defects, which could help them determine other problems. She also explained what CDH was so I could understand it better.
February 28,2006 was the first time I felt Dakota move. She kicked me and I had Tom put his hand on my stomach and she just gave him the biggest kick. He couldn't believe it. I am 23weeks now. March 8, 2006 was my next appointment with Dr. Tissier. He checked me out and every thing was still OK. March 31, 2006 was my next ultrasound appointment at St. Mary's Hospital. The nurse checked Dakota and said that she was 2 lbs 5 oz now and that I'm 27 weeks 6 days. She took some pictures of Dakota to give to me and I showed everyone. April 3, 2006 was my appointment at Cardinal Glennon for a fetal echo cardiogram, that is a ultrasound of the Baby's heart. The nurse there checked Dakota's heart for about a half hour. Dr. Friere explained that Dakota's heart was pushed over to the right and turned a little, but she said that all four chambers were working properly. That was finally some good news for the most part. All this bad news has taken a toll on me.
April 5, 2006 I went back to Dr. Tissier and he checked me out He said that everything was the same. On April 8, 2006 was my baby shower for my side of the family and I had so much fun seeing all my family and friends. We received a lot of gifts for Dakota. My favorite gift was a pink blanket that my cousin Rhodie made for her.
April 11,2006 I had to go and do my glucose test. April 19,2006 I was back in to see Dr. Tissier and he said I had failed both of my tests. Then he tells me that my belly measured at 36cm when it should only be at 30cm at this time. Dr. Tissier told me that was a sign of me having gestational diabetes, So he asked me from now on to start going to the OB-GYN clinic at St. Mary's Hospital. He thought I would be better off because I was already going there for all my ultrasounds and other tests. April 21, 2006 I was back at St. Mary's for my 3rd ultrasound and the nurse said Dakota was 3 lbs 8 oz now. I was at 30weeks 6 days. She gave me some more pictures of Dakota her feet, butt, and a side view of her face. I was just so happy to see her I started to cry. The nurse that was doing the ultrasound noticed that I had a lot of extra fluid around Dakota She asked me to see the Dietitian. I was then diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. April 27, 2006 I was put on a diet and I watched what I ate.
On May 4, 2006 was the start of everything going wrong. My husbands grandfather passed away and that Sunday May 7th was his wake. I was feeling OK at that time but I was tired. May 8, 2006 was the morning of the funeral and my 4th ultrasound appointment. As we got done at the church my husband and I noticed that our window was broken on the passenger side door. There where some people cutting grass next to our truck, a rock must have gone through and broke it. So here I am needing to get to the cemetery and we had to wait for the police to get there. It was not long the police showed up and we then rode to the cemetery with his family. My parents had picked me up at the cemetery to take me to my appointment. I had to wait at least a hour before the Doctor could see me because there where a lot of people in the waiting room. When I went in the Doctor was checking me out looking for Dakota's heart beat. She couldn't find it. She then brought in a ultrasound machine to look at Dakota. There still was no heart beat. The doctor looked at me and said she thinks Dakota passed away. I couldn't believe what she was saying. I Lost It! She went to get 2 more doctors to confirm what she had seen and the head doctor did confirm May 8, 2006 that Dakota had passed away within 24 hours. I was 33 2/7 week. I was in shock. I called my husband and told him that Dakota had passed away and he was in disbelief. When I talked to the doctor I decided to be induced. I told Tom to get to the hospital ASAP. I was taken to my room and that night it had all sunk in. My little girl was gone. May 9, 2006 my water broke at 7:30A.M. and I had Dakota Mae at 11:39A.M.. She was 3 lbs 13 oz ,18" inches long, blond hair and blue eyes. Dakota had came out breech and was stillborn. The doctors were so gentle and so caring. I held her for the longest time and I didn't want to let her go. My husband, mother, father, and sister where there to support me in this difficult time. My pastor and the chaplain gave Dakota a blessing. We all took turns holding her. Dakota was so beautiful she looked just like her daddy, tall with long arms & legs. She had long fingers and big feet too. I was taken to my new room where I got to hold her and tell her how much she meant to me and how much I Loved her till 5:30A.M and then I had to say my good byes. I didn't want her to go but I gave her a big kiss. I told her that I loved her, and that God would take good care of her and that one day we will be together. I had gone home that day and my family was their to comfort and support me when I needed it the most. May 13, 2006 was Dakota Mae's funeral. All of our family and friends where there to support us. It was hard to say good bye to my beautiful baby girl but I managed to do it. The service was a beautiful service with such beautiful flowers from all her family and friends. I go out to the cemetery every chance I get to talk to Dakota and tell her how much we Love her and Miss her.
I Love You With All My Heart DAKOTA MAE!! I'll Miss you more then you'll ever know. You will live in our Hearts Forever!!!!!!!! Mommy's Little "Tomboy Princess"
Love,
Mommy & Daddy
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