Yesterday came and went without mention of our daughter’s birthday. She would have been 32 years old. I know I remembered and I know the husband remembered. It’s something you don’t forget. Even if you could forget, that’s not what you’d wish. Remembering is the only thing that keeps her alive in our hearts.
I was about 28-weeks along in my pregnancy and on bed rest after being diagnosed with preeclampsia. It was Jan. 20, 1981 and my due date was March 25. I was so bored and couldn’t imagine resting for the next nine weeks.
Watching television was not a cure for boredom as the only thing being broadcast was news of the American hostages being freed from Iran and the inauguration of Ronald Reagan. I was thankful for the release of the hostages, and the inauguration was interesting, but only for an hour or two.
I noticed some lint on the carpet and decided I could vacuum without exerting too much energy. I figured I could even sit down and just move the sweeper back and forth.
Once I was on my feet, I felt a little funny. I sat back down. I can’t really describe what I was feeling, except that something was off. I went into “mommy-mode” and sat still until the husband came home from work. I asked him to take my blood pressure.
“170 over 120,” he said calmly.
“That can’t be right,” I said. “Take it again.”
He did, but the numbers were the same.
“You must be doing something wrong,” I insisted. “Call the fire department and have them send someone to take it.”
This request was granted, but this must have been hard for the husband. He was a volunteer firefighter and had passed his EMT class. He knew how to take someone’s blood pressure.
Charlie from the fire department arrived and took my blood pressure. Still 170 over 120.
We called the doctor and he said to come right in and be prepared to stay until the baby was born.
I was given magnesium sulfate, which gave me a horrendous headache, but did not lower the blood pressure. My doctor transferred me to a hospital with a neonatal intensive care unit. My blood pressure came down, but was still in the danger zone. I was stabilized until Jan. 29, when I had a seizure.
I now had eclampsia. According to preeclampsia.org, eclampsia is “a very serious complication of preeclampsia characterized by one or more seizures during pregnancy or in the post-partum period. In the developed world, eclampsia is rare and usually treatable if appropriate intervention is promptly sought. Left untreated, eclamptic seizures can result in coma, brain damage, and possibly maternal or infant death.” Fortunately, I wasn’t aware of what was happening or how dangerous the condition was for my baby.
I had an emergency cesarean section and our beautiful little girl was born 8 weeks early weighing three pounds, eight ounces. Rachael Suzanne was tiny, but perfect in our eyes.
Her little lungs were another matter. Her lungs collapsed a week later and on Feb. 8, we chose to remove her from anything that artificially kept her breathing. The first time we were allowed to hold her, she died in our arms.
At the time I thought I’d lose my mind, and I never thought I’d be alright with the grief. Surprisingly, I didn’t lose my mind and the grief is just ingrained in who I am. It’s like a scar, only it’s on the inside.
We recently learned that friends of ours lost their nine day old granddaughter. The husband and I sobbed in each others arms as if the loss were our own. Yes, the scar is on the inside, but it’s very close the surface.
This is such a beautiful piece, and I’m so sorry for your loss.
So moving.Thank you for posting. What a beautiful name Rachael Suzanne.
Sandra,
Thank you! Our granddaughter’s middle name is Rachael in honor of her auntie.
Linda, this is heartbreaking. What could be more devastating than the loss of a child. Thank you for sharing this beautiful post.
I was “only” 12 weeks pregnant when I lost my baby. I still count how old he/she would have been.
For a relatively short post, I was moved to tears quickly with your tender writing. I am so sorry for you and your friend’s loss. It never goes away, does it?
On a different note, I had preeclampsia during my pregnancy. I had no idea it was so serious or I would have taken more precaution. Thanks for the post and information.
Lisa,
It doesn’t matter when you lose a child, it’s still devastating. I’ve had friends who have suffered miscarriages and friends who have lost adult children. There’s someone missing from our lives and we continue to feel the emptiness they left.
Beautifully written…scars on the inside. I am so sorry you had to say goodbye so early. You are right…she is always a part of who you are.
That was a beautiful post.
The loss stays with us. Thank you for this sad but lovely post.
Losing a child never really goes away no matter what age. Having a child who is not given the promise of another week or month. Helped us to realize tomorrow is not ours but God gave us the moment of now to be thankful for and surpassed all drs, predictions and let her have 20 yrs. She was Gods Gift and I would not trade her for another. She taught us a lot and never complained.
Brenda was a special girl with so much love for everyone. I know she made an impact in her short 20 years and is missed by you and her dad and siblings!
Beautiful, heartbreaking and healing all at the same time. There are so many of us who carry scars on the inside…Thank you for sharing your daughter, Rachael Suzanne.
My precious son and “daughter-in-love” gave their daughter the middle name Rachael. So meaningful…
I am so sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine anything worse than losing a child. We all carry burdens of sorrow, but yours goes beyond what anyone should have to endure.
My thoughts will be with you and your husband whenever I hear a similar story. Please know that we grieve right along side you.
My heart goes out to you. Thank you for sharing your Rachael with us. It doesn’t seem like 32 years already since we prayed for you all as you went through this heartbreaking time. Love and hugs.
Donna
Thanks, Donna! Love and prayers to you and your family as you continue to travel a similar path…
Your short, sweet and sad post made my heart skip a few beats. Holding your baby and then losing her was a tragedy that will never leave you. I had two miscarriages and I mourned both of them, and probably will for the rest of my life. G-d blessed me with one wonderful, healthy son soon after. I love him more than life itself, but the two misses will always be a part of my heart as well. Thank you for your heartbreaking and powerful story.
Cathy,
I have a dear friend who also suffered multiple miscarriages, and although she finally gave birth to three children, she counts those babies who did not make it to full term in her child count. We forever connect with our children from the moment we know we are pregnant.
Thank you for sharing, I am so sorry for your loss. I too lost a daughter at 3 months old. Althought it’s been 34 years- every once in a while something will happen and it will feel like it was yesterday. It’s amazing that after all these years it will still bring tears to my eyes. it’s amazing how you can love someone that much.
Virginia,
I am so sorry for your loss, as well! I can’t imagine bringing a child home and then losing them. A parent’s love is truly amazing…
So beautiful and so heartbreaking…