Justice’s first day started for his mom and dad at 5:30 AM.
Bonnie discovered, after turning on the light in the bathroom and a lot of blood was being lost by her. She yelled for me and from the light I could see a blood trail to the bathroom discovering my wife covered in blood.
I can’t begin to share the thoughts that ran through my mind discovering my wife covered in bright red blood. The fear that was felt was quickly overcome by the realization on how much I truly love and need my wife. She is truly my soul-mate and helpmate. I can’t share the level of prayer that emanated from my soul at that time asking God to take all of us into his hands. It’s was a real epiphany to me what blood can do to one’s heart and soul. But I’ll step out of my pulpit and move on to Justice’s day.
After I attempted to calm Bonnie down, she began cleaning up a bit and I called the hospital to see if we need to call an ambulance or simply drive in. After I told them that my wife was losing a lot of blood they said that was normal and just to come in immediately. I’m guessing they we’re thinking I was overreacting at the sight of blood and overestimating. But I wasn’t.
We got Bonnie to the Hospital a bit before 6 AM and the nurses got her up to the delivery area while I pack muled the bags and got a very sleepy Ella into a stroller, got the car parked and got up to Bonnie’s room shortly after they got Bonnie changed into the hospital gown and cleaned up a bit.
Ella was great and sat quietly watching VeggieTales’ “Jonah” a couple times.
Her bleeding began to slow, but she was only at 2-3 centimeters, essentially where she was the day before. The doctor was concerned that she felt the placenta at the cervix and an ultrasound was ordered. After the tech battled with the uncooperative Microsoft operating system on the ultrasound equipment, it was seen that the placenta had not moved and was not near the cervix. This was at nearly 9:00.
Thinking that meant things were calming down and the bleeding was stopping and that Bonnie would simply have to wait a long time until the cervix opened (despite the frequent and intense contractions) I took Ella for a walk to calm her down a bit until her babysitter could get out of her dentist appointment. Shortly later, I got a call from Bonnie telling me that the radiologist noticed that the placenta was perforating or splitting and the OB/GYN decided that an emergency Cesarean section was needed. He also wanted to do a general rather than a local and that I wouldn’t be able to be with Bonnie.
Bonnie was prepped and was told by the doctor what was going to happen in the surgery. But she was ready especially as the bleeding picked back up. A conservative estimate is that Bonnie lost at least a pint of blood and likely more between 5:30 AM and 9:30 AM.
Bonnie was taken to the ER around 9:30 and at 9:51 Justice Wilson Goodwin made his entrance to the world, weighing 6 lbs, 13 ounces and measuring 20 1/2 inches. Ella and I were able to see Justice being wheeled out of the ER and followed him to the nursery. Ella was interested but was more worried that I was going to let her go and give her to either Ms. Barb or Ms. Rhonda who had come over to be with us during Bonnie’s surgery. I too was thrilled at seeing my handsome young man, but still feared for Bonnie’s health and safety. Finally, after an very long 30 minutes or so, I was told that Bonnie was fine. I learned that Bonnie’s placenta was over 20% perforated and that the C-section was very timely.
Bonnie was kept in the recovery room but we were able to have her hear her son cry for the first time over the phone. He has very strong lungs, long fingers and no “issues” that we will have to deal with immediately, so we were very blessed.
Around 11:30 Bonnie made it out of recovery and was wheeled down to her room where she will be for the next three to four days. She’s been told no lifting other than Justice for the next two weeks as well as no driving.
However, on the way she stopped at the nursery and was able to hold our son. Ella also had a chance to kiss both her mom and her brother “Ustice” as she calls him.
Bonnie was able to breast feed and is recovering well. She will try sitting up and moving her legs tomorrow so please keep us in your prayers.
Ms. Barb stuck around and was able to finally get Ella to fall asleep around 3ish. Our friends are such a blessing.
Bonnie’s folks made it to St. Joe from Ames, Iowa around 4 PM and were able to hold Justice and make Ella smile as she woke from her nap.
We all left Bonnie around between 5 and 6 so she could get her needed sleep. We picked up pizza, and the Bonnie’s mom and I got the blood out of the bedroom carpet and off of the bathroom floor, tub, toilet, etc. They are asleep but I’m still a bit wound up so I made a new photo site for Justice Goodwin, uploaded several photos, but haven’t taken the time to name them all the clever names Bonnie typically gives the photos.
Thank you again for your continued prayers. They are a real gift to Bonnie and I, just as our kids are.
It is neat that Ella was born on Palm Sunday, the day Jesus entered Jerusalem to be our sacrifice so that we can escape from death, and that Justice was born on the Day of Epiphany, the day the wise man came bearing gifts to Jesus so he and his family could escape from death ordered by King Harod.
For the LORD loves justice And does not forsake His godly ones; They are preserved forever – Psalms 37:28a (NAS)
Tags:
Bonnie,
Friends,
Justice,
Prayer Request,
Surgery
Today Polly will be under anesthesia for her angiograph to aid the surgeons in understanding where the surgery in her brain should occur. The date of the first surgery will be set after this, but is likely to be in a couple of weeks.