Frantic, I scheduled the ultra sound within days. I went in for my Level II ultra sound not knowing what to expect, the doctors came in after my scan and told me that our son had prune belly syndrome.
At this point, I had no idea what PBS was. They started to talk to me about "options", one of which was abortion (this was offered to me several times) but I couldn't go through with that, not knowing that this innocent baby could have a chance. I ended up going in 3 times a week for Level II ultra sounds, in which they started to perform something like an amniocentesis but they would go in to drain his bladder to see If this helped. This went on for weeks as they still talked about "options". I also went to see several specialists
to talk about what would happen after our son was born should he survive. I was devastated!! I moved on as best as I could
hoping and praying for the best with no idea on what the outcome would be. At 32 weeks, I went into labor without knowing. I was taken to the hospital where they realized that my water had broke and my sons foot was already in the birth canal.
From that exam room, I was taken right up to surgery for an emergency c-section. Our ANGEL, Santos Locklear Jr was born
4lbs 1 oz on April 23, 2003. He went straight to the NICU where he was cared for around the clock. The staff let me spend
every moment I could with him. I slept very minimum that night and went right back to the NICU first thing in the morning
where I spent a few more hours with my son. I decided to go to my room to take a shower but as soon as I got to my room, I
got the heart wrenching phone call that our son had passed in that short time. I almost fell, I was in pain. How could this
happen?? How could he have only lived for 18 hours? Why did most of the staff in this hospital know nothing about PBS? And
what if we knew more? I had so much going through my mind and I was heartbroken. I was taken into a private room where our
son was off all of the machines and ivs so we were able to hold him and say our goodbyes. I was't able to make the
arrangements for our son because I was In the hospital for a little longer stay because of the c-section. My family went to
make them for us. I was in complete shock and hurt so much that I didn't think I could get through this. With the
wonderful support of my family and friends, I got through this one day at a time. My heart still hurts everyday. I wonder
what he would look like, who he would be more like, what his favorite color would be? I am grateful now to have 2 beautiful
healthy girls. Please, PLEASE help spread awareness in memory of our little boy. If it could help save just 1 life, it is
worth it. I don't want another mother to visit a tombstone of a baby like I do.
Amanda Perry |
