my world changed (Life Changing Events)

Member Name: shelldanielle

Product:	Life Changing Events
Date:	21/11/08 (80 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: joshua

Disadvantages: none

I was 17 when i became pregnant I decided that for me Abortion wasn't an option and I couldn't even think about going through it.
I went for a scan at 30weeks to make sure the dates were correct and that is when my world turned upside down.

My mum hadn't been to any of the scans so i thought it would be nice to include her while it would be the last scan I would have and i am so grateful i made that decision.
I found out my son had fetal hydrops it is a rare condition which for some unknown reason the body creates too much fluid and it puts pressure on the organs.

I was admitted to hospital that same day and told that i wouldn't be able to leave until my son was born,His heart rate was beating at an alarming rate and they thought that maybe a heart condition could of caused the excess fluid.
So i was taken to another hospital to scan his heart and brain and all was ok.

The specialist said its hard to treat if they don't know what causes it and that there was less than 50% chance he would survive.Shortly after the specialist said he will have more chance of survival the further on the pregnancy, i started to develop pre-eclamsia.

So the specialist booked me for an emergency c-section which would take place on the 4th June 2003.

Joshua was born into this world at 10.42am on Wednesday the 4th june, a team of 8 + doctors battled to save him after his heart stopped.I was sent to recovery and it took them over an hour to stabilize him so he could be transferred to the intensive care baby unit.

The first time i saw him i was in love i had waited so long to see my baby even the way he looked did not phase me but looking back at the pictures its hard to imagine he was so ill.
His belly was enlarged, his eyes very puffy and he looked like he was battered and bruised he was purple.

That's the time when i really grew up it wasn't about me anymore it wasn't about how my future was going to pan out it was praying for survival for my son.

On the 8th June early on Sunday morning i was woken by Joshua's doctor and told he had taken a turn for the worse.
Joshua was baptized and thankfully he pulled through.

Those were the hardest days in my life,in situations like that it makes you seek help from above and you pray that someones hearing your prayers and that can give this little man one more chance.I met other parents in the same boat and they prayed to.
I watched incubators being emptied it was awful a little girl who was next to josh had died bless her,she had a heart condition and her tiny premature body couldn't take it.

I never let myself think josh would die I couldn' even imagine him being taken away from me.

Josh got better day by day and two weeks after he was born i got my first cuddle,he was weighed on the same day at 4lb 4oz he couldn't be weighed when he was born they had to estimate his weight as he was so ill.

Joshua then went through a double hernia operation and we found out he had hydrocephalus (water on the brain) so he needed a shunt to help drain the fluid he will have this for life.

Joshua is now 5 he has severe delayed development so hes still at the stage of a one year old.I was told he might not see or hear and he can do both.
At the moment he is learning to walk he needs help with a leg splint and a walker but one day he will walk.

the most important lesson i have learnt is the lesson of life, you shouldn't take anything for granted and live each day as if it was your last.

I always have been looked down on people still have a problem with young mums for some reason I know that i could of carefully planned out my life and aimed for a career but I didn't, I faced up to my responsibilities i could of taken the easy way out but i didn't.
I wouldn't change anything for the world what ever happens cant break you it can only make you stronger.


I am greatful josh can see and hear and one day he will walk and i am thankful he is alive.

for children born without a problem parents only see development as milestones with josh to me its like climbing mountains.

Next time you see a disabled person don't ignore them or stare treat them like anyone else,smile and say hello don't feel sorry for them they don't need pity there survivors and most have story's like Joshua's.

Summary: joshuas story