Carly Claire's Journey

Carly's journey begins June 2, 2008. It was a doctor appointment that I almost didn't keep because I didn't want to drive all the way to the hospital that day.....I was being see twice a week anyway so I thought, what was missing one gonna hurt? Plus we were three weeks away from the due date. Well, my blood pressure was not to their liking and they did some "checking" and everything else was a go for induction of our "Baby Girl". So I called Steve and he came to the hospital and we told the doctor we were ready. I've never been so unprepared in my life. We still didn't have a name, except for the middle name which was decided before we even started having kids. Good thing we work best under pressure 'cause She didn't waste much time. I think it took longer for me to get a room than it took for me to actually deliver her. And so at 10:46pm, 6lbs 4 oz and 19 1/2" Carly Claire Elkins was born! Thank you Steve for picking out the best...little did we know just how perfectly fitting the name would be.

Carly:

Little & Strong

Claire:

Clear & Bright (my Nana's name...Mom's mom, who passed away just before we got married)

Carly's umbilical cord was wrapped pretty tightly around her neck and they were a little concerned about her breathing. They let us hold her but kept taking her away to give her a little bit of oxygen thinking it would be enough to give her a jump start. We held her for about 10 minutes each when they finally took her to the level 1 nursery to keep a closer eye on her. When we stopped in to check on her on my way to my recovery room they told us she wasn't getting better and they were going to transfer her over to Children's Neonatal ICU and she would be there at least 72 hours, which meant we would be leaving the hospital without our precious girl. Not only did I just give birth, but she was taken away after 20 minutes and we really didnt know what exactly was wrong I was in recovery without her and having to get up every 2 hours (eventhough she wasnt in my room) to pump and deliver milk down the hall. I felt overwhelmed, restless, useless and what if this was my fault?. I was supposed to be taking care of her and I couldnt. Thanks to Steve and the nurses for being there for me. So enough about my emotional status. I was scared to go see her in NICU because I didnt know what they did to her or what she was going to look like or what they were going to tell us next. Carly was beautiful even with the little oxygen tubes coming from her nose! The next time we saw her she was under a "hood" and then the next time we saw her she was on a ventelator that was breathing for her at 100%. The first two methods didnt allow Carly to relax enough for her to strengthen her lungs. Still not being able to hold her...let alone touch her because she would become so aggitated and her heartrate and oxygen levels would get worse, I was discharged from the hospital and had to leave her behind. Wow! Talk about the hardest thing I've ever had to do and the worst night of my life! My heart had this huge hole in it and I could barely breeth myself. I was happy to see my boys when I got home but so extremely sad that we weren't whole. Yes, Carly was in the best care and in the best place for her to be; so that's not what made me sad.....I guess you have to be a mom to understand exactly how I felt. Not that Steve wasnt sad....it was just different. Anyway, Carly took a couple steps forward and we were able to hold her and try to feed her at one of our visits but over night she took a step backwards and was under the "hood" again. They took x-rays, sonograms, blood tests like you wouldnt believe. Her diagnosis: respiratory distress syndrom due to premature status. After 24hrs under the "hood" for the second time she was making great strides. Her lungs were getting stronger, now she needed to figure out how to eat and breath at the same time. How many of us can say we know how to do that? On 6.9.08 we could hold her again and I went to visit her by myself to feed her and cuddle and they told me she should be able to come home the next day. I was shocked, scared and completely extatic! Feeling like it was too good to be true ...something like a dream, Steve and I came back to visit her later that night and was given this same prognosis. I wasnt crazy I didnt make it up, Steve was there this time! We prayed for perfect night so that we could get that call we've been waiting 8 days for. 6.10.08 somewhere around 11am a nurse from NICU calls to say "Carly said she wants to go home today!". And without skipping a beat we were on our way. She's already got us wrapped around her finger! Home at last! And it's been heaven ever since.....even though she gave us a little scare on 6.13.08 and we spent a couple hours in the ER only for her to act like there was never anything wrong (kind of like taking the car to the mechanic and the car wont make that noise while there). So we are preparing ourselves for Carly to be very high maintenence....and with all that she's been through do you blame her? Here are a few pics on her good days and not so good days. She's 6lbs 14 oz now....clothes still dont fit her but its too hot for clothes anyway!

Thank you Steve for being my rock even though you were having a rough time too. Thank you Shane and Gavin for being so awesome! Thank you to family and friends and those whom we dont even know who prayed for her! Thank you to the doctors and nurses who took care of Carly when we couldnt and made us feel comfortable and knowledgeable about everything that was happening. Thanks again to Steve for the most perfect name - Carly!

We love you Carly!!