Thursday, July 9, 2009

Noah David

We never imagined going through something like this. Our hearts are aching, but we are comforted that our child never had to suffer the pain and strife of this fallen world. He is in Heaven now and we will see him again someday.

Many of you have asked questions about what happened and we wanted to try to explain the events of the past few days.

On Monday Lisa went to work and while there she was trying to get Noah to move around or kick in her belly. She had not felt him move since Saturday afternoon and was getting concerned, especially since her blood pressure has been high since her 24th week. She pushed on her belly and drank a glass of orange juice to try to stir movement from Noah, but she could feel nothing. On Monday night we called the doctor and decided to go to the hospital to check his heartbeat. We made the decision on the way to the hospital to name our baby "Noah David". The name "Noah" means "peacemaker" or "comforter", and "David" means "beloved". When we arrived at the hospital, a nurse came and tried to find the heartbeat with a fetal monitor. She couldn't find it, so she went and got another nurse and they still couldn't find anything. Then they got the doppler and still nothing. We couldn't comprehend what was happening. We tried so hard to hear any movement but could not at all. The doctor came in with the ultrasound machine and we saw our precious baby boy on the screen, but his heart had stopped beating. We had just seen his strong heartbeat (155) a week earlier, but in that moment we knew that our precious Noah had gone to be with the Lord.

They admitted Lisa immediately and told us they would take Noah by c-section on Tuesday morning. It was so hard to comprehend. We fully expected that when we got to the hospital on Monday night, we would hear Noah's heartbeat and everything would be ok. We never imagined that we would lose our son. On Tuesday morning at 7:45, they did the c-section. Noah David weighed 3lbs. 6oz. and was 15 inches long. We weren't sure of what he would look like since Lisa was just short of 31 weeks pregnant. But he was so beautiful and perfect. He looked like his big brother, Ethan. +It was difficult to hear only silence in the OR when they pulled him out. No crying, just silence. Our doctor showed us the placenta and the umbilical cord and there were some obvious problems with it. The placenta was oddly aged to 41 weeks with calcium deposits on the outside. And the umbilical cord had 2 vessels that were protruding from the center of the cord. The pathologists will be doing several tests to try to find out what caused these malformations and to find out if this is what caused Noah to die. It may have also been the cause of Lisa's high blood pressure. The surgery went great and once they got us into a room, they cleaned up Noah and brought him to us. We held him for hours and we allowed family and friends to hold him. You never know what you will do in this kind of situation (since you don't actually think you will ever experience something like this), but we decided to take photos of Noah so that we could remember him always. We have posted just some of those below if you would like to see them. This may be too disturbing for some, so view at your own discretion. But some of you have requested to see photos of Noah, so we wanted to share at least a few with you.

The staff at Rockdale Medical Center was absolutely amazing. They went above and beyond to make sure both our physical and emotional needs were met. We cannot thank them enough for all that they did for us! There were even nurses and other staff who had been through losses like ours and really understood what we were going through.

There has also been an outpouring of love from all of our friends and family. We want to thank all of you who have sent us emails and comments on Facebook or myspace. We have been so comforted to have all of you grieve along side us. We said goodbye to Noah today which was the most difficult thing we've ever had to do. We do understand, however, that this was just his body and that he is in Heaven for eternity!

We are going to be having a private burial on Saturday at noon for just family to attend. We have a beautiful spot picked out in a nearby cemetary and they have a section there for babies who have passed away called "Baby Land". On Sunday at 1:00, everyone is invited to attend a Memorial Service for Noah at our church (Discover Point Church) at 1303 Parker Road in Conyers, Georgia.

Pictures of Noah are below.


















23 comments:

  1. I know this whole experience must have been so hard to put into words, but it's a very powerful and touching testimony. We are hurting for you guys but know that God is with you comforting you through this time. We love you!
    Trista & Jeremy

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am so sorry for your loss. I couldn't even imagine.... I am praying for you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh my word, so sorry for your loss. I will keep your entire family in my prayers. I can only imagine what you are going through.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Praying with you and for you--what a beautiful little boy your Noah is. Our family had a loss similar last year when our daughter lost her third child at 18+ weeks--the immediate family held him---he wasa perfect little boy too! Spme say that was to early to grieve as we did, but he was ours just the same!!
    Shari NC

    ReplyDelete
  5. I can't imagine the pain and suffering your family is experiencing. You are all in my prayers. Noah was beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you for sharing your experience. My heart goes out to you. I'll be remembering you all in prayer.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I read Nate Lawrenson's blog and saw a Tweet directing us to your blog. I am SO sorry for your loss.

    Noah is beautiful. Thank you for sharing the photos with us.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am so sorry for your loss. Reading your post brought me back to 7/19/08 when our family went through the exact circumstances. We all treasured our time that we spent with my niece after she was born and the pictures are a great physical memory of that. I know that the paid I went through pales in comparison with that of losing your own child, but I want you to know that my family and I hurt for you and pray that each day may get a little easier. Never let anyone diminish the pain you may be feeling may it be today or years from now.

    I would like to recommend an artist who I had a pencil portrait done from one of my neices photographs. She does incredible work and specializes in these circumstances. Her website is www.portraitsbydana.com

    Much love ~ Heather G

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you for your prayers during this time. Everyone has been wonderful. David

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am so sorry for your loss. In November of 2008 we experienced the loss of our child at 17 weeks. My heart breaks for you as I know the pain of a mother losing a child. Know that you are being prayed for as you go through this most difficult time.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Reading your story was like reliving my own. I am so sorry for your loss Our experience was almost identical to yours. Praying for God to bring healing to your hearts. Lisa, you don't knw me, but I am here to be a friend any way I can. It's a difficult road, but we have such hope to see these dear little ones again. The pictures were not disturbing at all...he was absolutely GORGEOUS...perfect as you said! THANK YOU for sharing Noah David with us. Another sweet babe has joined my Madison Elisabeth, and heaven is that much sweeter!

    Much love and prayers,

    Kathryn

    ReplyDelete
  12. I recently came across your blog through another blog. I lost a child last month at 13 weeks and that was horrible, I could not imagine what you are going through. My thoughts and prayers are with you and know that Noah is now your little angel and will be with you always!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I found your blog through Nate's link. I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep your family in my prayers.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Lisa, I came over from your Xanga site to see the pictures. Noah was absolutely beautiful. I'm sitting here in tears reading this and seeing the pictures. Thank you for sharing this with us. My heart hurts so badly for you as I know how excited you were for Noah's arrival. Many blessings, my friend. You have my prayers.

    Leanne

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hey Lisa. I am so terribly sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers.

    ReplyDelete
  16. What beautiful pictures of Noah. I am a Unit Clerk in Maternity at our local hospital and have over the past 10 years helped to create those very memories for many of our patients who have suffered a loss. I am so glad you decided to take those photos. They are priceless. I am so very sorry for the loss of your sweet son. What a perfect little Angel he is.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am sorry for your loss. Noah was surely beautiful. unforgettable, precious. I'm honored to have heard your story. Praying for you all.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Lisa, I'm not sure if you'll remember me, but I graduated a year after Jason from TSA. I'm so sorry to hear of this tragic loss you're experiencing. My Bible Study group prayed for you all last night, and we'll continue to pray for you. May God fill you with a peace that truly passes all understanding.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'm very sorry that you had to say goodbye to Noah. He is absolutely precious! I know he will always be in you heart.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thank you for sharing Noah's life with us. He is beautiful. Made in the image of a mighty God, and now he is looking even more radiant as he rests in the Lord's arms. But that doesn't take your loss or pain or grief or questions away. I will pray for you to know HIS perfect peace and find comfort in the arms of your Father.

    I came your way by inCourage. It is good that you, a woman of courage, will be wearing that special shirt.

    In His Grace,
    eLisa

    ReplyDelete
  21. Lisa, I had to read Noah's story. I cannot imagine the hurt you must feel. He was beautiful, wasn't he? You WILL see him again someday :)

    ReplyDelete