Where are we?

During a routine doctor’s visit on Friday, February 8, we learned that our twin boys were experiencing twin to twin transfusion syndrome-a complication that puts both babies in extreme danger. We were admitted to Monmouth Medical directly from the doctor’s office and presented with our options. We had some choices, but none of them were very good. After much discussion together and with our doctor, Bry and I decided that the best of the terrible options was to fly to Tampa, Florida to seek the help of a specialist.; Dr. Quintero is the leader in curing twin to twin transfusion syndrome. On Monday we landed in Tampa expecting to relax on Tuesday and begin our procedures on Wednesday and finish by Thursday. On Tuesday morning, February 12, at 8:30 am, my water broke. The babies needed to be delivered via emergency C-section. Robert Michael was born at 10:18 a.m. weighing 14.8 oz, Charles James at 10:19 weighing 1.5 lbs, and Honora at 10:21 weighing 1.9lbs.

I did not get to see them until the next day. I was put to sleep for the C-Section and needed some assistance in getting down to the NICU. That first night, the nurse tech, Lucille, came in to do vitals and asked if I had seen the babies. I told her no and confessed that I was afraid of how I might react when I saw them. She went down and took pictures of the babies with her cell phone and came back in to show me. We looked at them together and then she left me alone to have a good cry.

The next day Bryan and I went to see the babies with another nurse tech, Zoraida, who helped me get soaped up and shuffled in to the NICU. Bryan and I nodded with glazed eyes as the doctor went over the myriad of medical issues facing our babies over the next 72 hours, 7 days, etc. I touched each baby and prayed.

Two days after their birth, we got the news about Bobby. I cannot yet write the details of that moment for they are locked in my heart and transcend words. We held our first baby for the first and last time. He taught us so much in that brief moment.

Now, three weeks, almost four weeks later, we get stronger everyday. We meaning all of us: Bryan, me, Nori and Charlie. The ride feels somewhat like a unicycle-sometimes balanced and steady, sometimes able to recover from a near meeting with the ground, and sometimes a complete wipeout. We learn so much no matter what the ride brings each day.

We will be here in Tampa for at least another 8 weeks as our babies get bigger and stronger. We miss the proximity of our family and friends. However the love we are so lucky to have in our lives from the people in it makes us feel like you all walk beside us everyday.