Nicholas County, West Virginia (WV) - Full Trisomy 13

5-7-07

We found out we were pregnant and were so happy. Hannah was our first, and we were just so scared and excited, not knowing what to expect. Everything was going great. No morning sickness at all. I was feeling great. Then on February 15 2006 our world came crashing down. We had our 24wk ultrasound hoping to find out the sex of our baby. We found out a lot more than just the sex. The doctor told us she was a girl, but that she had many markers for a genetic abnormality. He sent us to a Fetal Maternal Specialist at a large children's hospital in our state. He wanted another opinion and for me to have the amnio. We were crushed, and so heartbroken. How could this happen?

We went to get the second opinion and it was confirmed that our baby had multiple abnormalities. They detected cleft lip/cleft palate, microcephally, omphalocele, and several heart problems. The FMS said he thought she had Trisomy 18. We agreed to the amnio and it was done that day. We went home in tears. We called our pastor and had a prayer chain started. That prayer chain ended up including churches all over the country. We spent the next 2 weeks praying and crying out to God.

We returned to the children's hospital and got the diagnosis. Full Trisomy 13. We were devastated. We sat there crying and half listening to the doctor. I can only remember about half of what he said. I went blank, and don't remember the 3 hour drive home. I do remember agreeing to deliver there. He was going to monitor me for the remainder of the pregnancy. We were offered induction, but we declined. Abortion was not an option for us. God ordained her life, who were we to say when it was to end?

Hannah decided to make her appearance on Sunday, May 28th after 74 hours of labor. I was 40 wks exactly. She weighed 4 pounds 14 ounces and was 18" long. She had a full head of jet black hair. She didn't cry at first, but I then heard cat noises. It was beautiful. I got to hold and kiss her for a couple minutes and wanted to just keep her there, but my husband reminded me we wanted everything that could be done to save her. We demanded that she be taken to the NICU. The doctors were not pleased with our decision and made it known. I still pray to God to this day to help me forgive those doctors for what they said. (Won't go into detail, but I wouldn't speak to my dog that way.)

I was taken to my room, and not too long after, the NICU doctor came up. He told me what a HUGE mistake we were making by doing aggressive treatment. I told him I didn't care what he said, we wanted our baby treated just like the other babies in that NICU. He was mad and gave me the impression that our Hannah was hooked up to tubes and was barely breathing. I sent my husband and his mom down to check on her. I had lost ALOT of blood and had a huge tear and had to have stitches. They wanted me to stay laying down. My husband comes back up and tells me she isn't on any tubes, she was breathing on her own in an oxygen tent. The nurses said she was only in the tent because she swallowed some amniotic fluid during delivery. He said her color was great and the nurses were surprised at how well she was doing. I went to see her and she was in the tent, but was just moving around and sucking her hand. She would follow her daddy all over watching him. We touched her and told her how much we loved her. That doctor lied to my face. My husband gave the doctor orders not to come around us unless he had something important to tell us. We didn't want anymore of his opinions.

That night, my husband couldn't sleep and went down to check on her. He came back and told me she was out of the oxygen tent and that he got to rock her. I was jealous of course, and stumbled my way to the wheelchair and headed for the NICU. I got to rock my baby girl to sleep. I just starred at her, soaking in her smell, her cute little face. I studied every inch of her. She was perfect. I wanted that picture in my mind when I laid down to sleep that night.

The Ronald McDonald house gave us a room to stay in until Hannah would get released to come home. She was doing so good, the doctor said we would get to take her home on Friday.

On Wednesday we received the news that Hannah was having trouble breathing. We desperately wanted to get her home. They got us an ambulance and we headed out as fast as we could with a nurse to try to get her home. She was just too weak for the ride. The Ronald McDonald house was gracious enough to allow us to stay there until Hannah decided to go be with Jesus.

We got 4 hours with her there. We loved on her, rocked her and kissed her. We told her how much we loved her and how we thank God for the time we had with her. We thanked her for being a part of our lives. She went home to be with our Lord at 7:50 on May 31st.

While Hannah was in my tummy, she done many many things. We went horseback riding, (just a lap around the ring on a very safe horse) 4 wheeling and many other things. I sing in a gospel group, so she was in church many nights a week. I thank God for every kick, punch and move I felt. I cherish those moments and miss them so much. I miss everything about her.

Those days were the worst and best days of our lives. The pain is indescribable, but the joy she gave us is also indescribable. We wouldn't trade ANYTHING in this world for the time we had with Hannah. The mark she left on our hearts will forever be there. We thank God for choosing us to be Hannah's Mommy and Daddy. She was defiantly a gift sent down from heaven. She couldn't stay long, but her mission in life was fulfilled. She touched so many hearts and lives in the short time she was here. She has left behind a huge legacy for such a small human being. We will never forget her. We can't wait to see her in heaven someday. MOMMY AND DADDY LOVE YOU HANNAH!!!

When Paul, of the bible, prayed for God to remove the thorn from his side, God told Paul that his (God's) grace is sufficient and his strength is made perfect in weakness. Through this experience, it has been the grace of God that keeps us going. Sometimes God doesn't remove the storm, but he takes us through it. We prayed for Hannah's healing, and she is indeed healed in her eternal home in heaven. Can't wait to spend eternity with her. We give God all praise and Glory.

We want to take this experience and use it to help others. Please feel free to contact us if I can help in any way.

David and Mary Mullins
treasureinheaven06@hotmail.com