We were just a normal family of three, Beth, Adam, and Zoey living in Noblesville, IN. Me working to pay the bills, Beth staying home to care for Zoey, and the three of us leading a rather simple, happy life. Beth and I met during dorm orientation week our freshman year at Purdue University. I like to say it was love at first sight but for Beth it was more love after extreme persistence and not taking no for an answer on my part. We have been together ever since and even went back to Purdue to get married at the student Union Hall there on October 10, 2009. Zoey was born in the afternoon on August 16, 2011. She came 15 days early and weighed a whopping 5 lbs 13 oz. We had a little early on issues with her gaining weight but has since been the poster child of awesomeness. She's always keeping us smiling and laughing. Not sure how we would have gotten through the last three long months of Shawn's pregnancy without her keeping our spirits up and being just a grade A goofball.
We knew we wanted more kids before we even had Zoey, 3 or 4 we always said. I always felt a little distance with my brothers being so much older than me and Beth is real close with her sisters that are not so far apart so we wanted to have our kids close together. Wham, bam get in, and get out.
We were so excited, as any parent would be, to receive the news that we were pregnant again. Beth had a miscarriage with her first pregnancy early in the first trimester and Zoey did not arrive into this world without a few scares in utero as well. So Beth and I will always be cautiously optimistic going into any pregnancy (a hell of a lot more now after Shawn). We were thrilled at the first OB visit and ultrasound that everything was perfect and progressing normally. When we got the diagnosis for HLHS around the 20 week mark it was devastating as I have previously posted. Since then it has been a mad rush of doctor appointments, ultrasounds, fetal echo cardiograms, and other medical screenings. Every turn has presented us with new challenges and life threatening scenarios. First the HLHS, then the intact atrial septum, then the failed trip to Boston, followed by the constant threat of pre-term labor, and the impossible odds of surviving the delivery, Beth and I have never been able to sit and deal with any one issue before another arrived. Shawn's labor and first surgery were intense and emotional, the outcome, joyous and blessed. He is our miracle and to us he is perfect.
Fantastic post Adam. You have a beautiful little boy. We'll be following Shawn and his little miracle heart each step of the way. We are excited to meet him; until then, we'll be praying for you all.
ReplyDeleteThe Abercrombie's
Adam and Beth-
ReplyDeleteI write this today, not even knowing what to say. I spoke with a friend from High School today and somehow your (Beth) name came up. She sent me the link to this blog, and I have been sitting here crying for about the last hour. The two of you are the strongest people I have ever seen, and where I have never met you Adam, I am so glad that Beth has such an amazing person to lean on in your time of complete heart break.
I sometimes take for granted the overall good heath of my kids and family, and find myself getting irritated having to clean up puke from a house hit with the flu... then I read a story like yours and feel ashamed for feeling like that, when you have gone through what you have with your little boy.
Beth, I am so sorry that we lost touch after school and my heart cries out for you and your family. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family through what has to be the absolute hardest grief process of your lives. I know Shawn's time here was short, but I know that he knew how much you guys were fighting for him and loved him. What an amazing little baby- and what a tough journey for the two of you.
Thank you for doing this blog (one of the hardest things I'm sure you have ever had to type) and making the rest of us aware of this rare problem- and thank you to Shawn for coming into this world and teaching the doctors all that you did in your short time here- even though this was a devastating loss he left this world more knowledge about this rare condition- possibly saving future lives- and And two wonderful parents and a sister more love in a few weeks than most people see in a lifetime.
You two are such amazing people. Thank you for sharing your and Shawn's story!
With love and prayers,
Samantha (Stevenson) Brown