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Mummy had already been carrying me for 10 weeks before she knew I was there.(please read Mummy's story to find out why).Mummy and Daddy were so excited when the pregnancy test was positive.My expected due date was March 23 2000-a Millennium baby!!! |
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Mummy and Daddy got to see me two weeks later but they were given unexpected news. The lady who scanned Mummy's tummy told them that she was concerned about me.It was decided that I had an 'exomphalos'(my tummy had not closed properly and some of my organs were still outside of me!!!)Someone mentioned that it was o.k as an exomphalos was 'compatible with life'.
Mummy and Daddy had to go to another hospital in Birmingham for a second opinion.I enjoyed the attention but Mummy hated every minute of her visit and later asked her consultant, Mr Johansen,if all other scans could be done at the NSMH in Stoke. |
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Mummy and Daddy got to see me again and this time as well as the exomphalos, there was a problem with my arms.Mummy was offered an amniocentisis or a termination but Mummy and Daddy refused both.The next week, Mummy and Daddy went back to our local hospital and told Mr Johansen that they wanted me no matter what and he was so nice and agreed to do all he could for me and Mummy during the pregnancy. |
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The next time Mummy saw me was at 20 weeks.Daddy had won a competition and had gone to Australia with Grandad on November 9th.Mummy and Nana went to the hospital the day after for my detailed scan but my angel wings had already arrived.Mummy cried until she could cry no more.We met a lovely lady named Glenda and Mummy is forever grateful to her for her support through two of the worst times in her life.
Daddy had to fly back home from his "day trip to Sydney".He arrived home on November 12 and he and Mummy went straight to the hospital so that Mummy could be induced.On November 14 1999 at 10:48pm(Rememberance Sunday in U.K) Mummy and Daddy finally got to hold me in their arms.I weighed 4oz and was 14cms long.My feet were 1.8cms long!!!I could fit in the palm of Mummy's hand.The midwife took some photos and then I was blessed and was given the name 'Gareth Stephen'.... |
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Mummy found out later that I had a severe chromosome abnormality called Trisomy 18 or Edward's syndrome which means that every cell in my body contained an extra chromosome number 18.The problem with my arms was diagnosed as 'bi-lateral radial aplasia(which means I had only one bone in each wrist instead of two)
Mummy chose to add rainbows to my page as they have always been associated with S.O.F.T (a support organization for trisomies)
Thanks for reading about me and please take a look at the rest of my family....... |
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(given to Mummy by her friend Tracey, .her daughter Louise had Trisomy 18 too) |
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The music playing in the background is "The Dance"by Garth Crooks
click here to view the words. |
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