Reflections on a life that was far too short.

[greatauntoftriplets]

A good friend of the triplets' mother was expecting twins. I have known Marcey most of her life, and Lord but that woman was happy. As was her husband. Marcey loves kids, is a dedicated high school English teacher and one of those people who would do anything for anyone.

On Saturday -- at 25 weeks of pregnancy (40 weeks is considered full term) -- Marcey's water broke. She was immediately hospitalized. In the wee hours of Tuesday morning, the doctor delivered twin boys and whisked them off to a good neonatal intensive care unit. They weighed 1 1/2 pounds each; one baby was 11" long, the other 12". Think about that -- a child that would fit into the palm of a woman's hand.

Later yesterday, the doctors told Marcey and Charlie that Jack was too weak to survive. They removed Jack from the ventilator so his parents could hold him one time before he died. Sadly, it didn't take long.

The surviving twin, Ryan, has a better chance of survival -- and a long uphill battle ahead of him.

As I sit here typing this in my office, I am also looking at a photo of the triplets. They will be 3 in October and are healthy, happy and a trio of crazy babies. Right now I am railing against the gods, and yet marveling at the fact my niece was so lucky to be able to carry nearly 15 pounds of baby until the 34th week of pregnancy (she spent the last four months of it in bed, working on her Ph.D. dissertation) and that the triplets were so remarkably free of premature birth complications.

This insane universe doesn't spare the innocent.

[blondeatlast]

1. I'm so sorry, greataunt.

My pregnancy was overseen by perinatologists, so I saw more than my share of high risk babies in and out of the office. Sending prayers to Jack and Ryan and mom and dad.

And a prayer of thanks and admiration to you, greataunt.

:loveya:

[THUNDER HANDS]

2. as someone who works in a neonatal unit

I hear these stories quite often.

They are heartbreaking. Even moreso by the fact that if those babies had been born just one or two weeks later, their chances for survival would have increased 40%.

I am sorry.

:(

[catpower2000]

3. I'm very sorry...

My deepest sympathies to you and the family. Thank goodness you all have Ryan to pour your love and energies into. Hug the triplets.

Take care, keep us updated,

Cat (((HUGS)))

[ScreamingMeemie]

4. I will never understand why life is so unfair. My heart goes out to you,

triplet's mother and Marcey.