Our Story

I haven't had the time to sit down and write our story out, but my husband did so I thought I would post it here.

The Delivery of Mikaela

Wow. It seems quite feeble to try and encapsulate everything that has happened since I last wrote a journal entry. I'm not sure where to begin, considering what has happened. Needless to say, I experienced the greatest feeling I have ever felt, and the challenge ahead isn't scary anymore. My little girl is here and she's here to stay, which I am so thankful for, and I'm so thankful my wife is here with me as well.

Usually, I get into every detail that happened, from the emotional side, to the factual side. For reasons I have to myself, I'm not going to get into emotions, and I'm going to keep this simple and to the point.

Mikaela Frances Jane Ainuddin was born on Saturday, December 27th, 2008 at 2:46pm. She weighed 6 lbs. and 2 oz. and was 19 inches tall. She was born at Queen of the Valley Hospital which is part of the Citrus Valley Medical Group, and her doctor was Dr. Victor Morales, of Magan Medical Group. During pregnancy, she was considered a high risk baby, considering certain symptoms and suggested diagnosis. These were based on the 4-D ultrasound we had done when Melanie was 29 weeks pregnant. Her arms seemed rather stiff and she didn't bend them at all, and her hands looked like they were severely tucked under her forearms. The journal entry below is referencing that 4-D ultrasound, however, I edited to not show her hands and arms, since we didn't want everyone to see it yet without knowing what exactly was wrong. Based on this ultrasound, we were referred to Dr. Greggory Devore, who is an expert at fetal ultrasounds. One diagnosis suggested Trisomy 18, another being Arthrogryposis, and another being Down Syndrome. Despite these many diagnosis, by many doctors, Melanie and I remained quite confident and sure that we had ourselves a healthy and beautiful baby girl that may need a little extra help growing up. Meanwhile, to make things even less smooth, Melanie developed a DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis, or blood clot) while she was on bed rest. Basically, the lack of activity and movement reduced her blood circulation and she developed the DVT. As a result, she was hospitalized and given blood thinners to control the clot. The DVT made matters more difficult especially if she were to have a C-Section, which is a major surgery. It was clear that a vaginal birth was the safest route for Melanie since it would avoid the surgery and reduce the risk of major blood loss and a possible blood transfusion.

Things seemed to go according to plans. Melanie was induced and she went into labor. It became apparent that every time Melanie had a contraction, Mikaela's heart rate dropped greatly. Dr. Morales was troubled by it and assumed something may be wrong. Ultimately, a decision had to be made regarding how to conclude the delivery. Continuing with a vaginal delivery seemed to put Mikaela through more danger and it seemed that she may not make it. The alternate choice was to have an emergency C-Section, which would be the safest route for Mikaela, but be very dangerous for Melanie since she had the blood clot. In the end, the decision was made by Melanie to go ahead with the C-Section despite our doctor's recommendations. We were instructed that because of the situation, Melanie would have to be transported to the Intensive Care Unit after the C-Section to be monitored for her blood clot. Also, because of the medications she has been on, she would have to be under general anesthesia, which would put her completely to sleep. We knew Melanie would not be able to see Mikaela right away because of this.

At 2:00pm, Melanie was taken to the operating room. She was accompanied by Dr. Morales, who would be doing the surgery. Also with her was Dr. Wanda Brady, of Magan Medical Group who was there for support, Dr. Fermin, a neonatal specialist from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the Charge Nurse from NICU, the anesthesiologist, and Dr. Yang, another Neonatal specialist. I had to wait out in the hallway, but I was accompanied by our Doula, Lorie David, whom we hired for the labor. Despite many setbacks during the procedure, including the power going out twice, the surgery was a success, and Mikaela was born at 2:46pm. Melanie was immediately taken to a recovery room after.

When I saw Mikaela for the first time, it was pretty much exactly what everyone has said it would be when you meet your first child. One thing for sure that I realize looking back at what I experienced, is that any form of doubt and uncertainty of my ability to be a father went right out the window. I remember seeing Mikaela and how vulnerable she was, how all these strangers were touching her and holding her and poking her. My first instinct was to reach out and punch every single person in the room and snatch my daughter to protect her from them. She was crying and she didn't know where Mommy was. The nurses notified me that Melanie's decision to go ahead with a C-Section was the right decision. It turned out that Mikaela's umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck three times. Which explained the sudden drop in heart rate every time Melanie pushed. It's sometimes common for an umbilical cord to be tangled or wrapped around a certain part of the body, but three times seemed unbelievable. It made plenty of sense when I remembered that the doctors made a note that Melanie had an above average amount of amniotic fluid, which allowed Mikaela to move freely and "bounce" all over, increasing the chance of cord entanglement. Quickly enough, I noticed her arms and hands and I snapped back to reality and had to let the nurses and doctors do their job. It was clear as day that Mikaela was going to be a little different than the normal child. All that remained was my dedication in protecting this little baby and doing everything in my power to give her the help she needed. It took a few minutes, but eventually I came to terms with letting these nurses look after her, and I felt that she was safe, and my focus then shifted to Melanie.

I was taken to where Melanie was, and surprisingly, she just happened to wake up as I approached her. I immediately told her she delivered a beautiful baby girl, and to not worry that she is being taken care of. Melanie asked me questions about her, particularly about her hands, and all I could say to her was "She's going to be fine." I pulled out my cell phone and showed her some of the pictures and video I took, and Melanie seemed much more at ease. As much as I wanted to stay there, I couldn't ignore Melanie's wishes, which was to leave her be and stay with Mikaela. I gave her a kiss and I left her to get her mom so that she could be with her. I went back up to the NICU and stayed with Mikaela. Dr. Fermin approached me and said "Well, she isn't an 18, so that's good news." 18 being short term for Trisomy 18. He couldn't say anything else about her since he wasn't sure, but he told me that they will find out through the help of other doctors. The fact of the matter was, this was going to be a long process, one that no parent really prepares themselves for. All I could hope for was the doctors and nurses would do the best job they could to help my little girl. This NICU would be our new home for the next 20 days.

A day later, Melanie was released from the Intensive Care Unit and brought back to the Maternity Ward where she was given a postpartum room. A day after that, Melanie finally got the strength to get up and get in a wheelchair. It's been two days for her since she went to sleep with a big belly, and woke up an hour later with no belly at all. This was a significant moment for us since it would be the first time Melanie and Mikaela would meet. The moment came as Melanie wheeled herself into the NICU, and I remember her asking "Which baby is mine?". She was guided by one incubator after another, and I remember seeing her head turning side to side as she passed them, checking to see which one was hers. She was wheeled up, the last incubator, and finally Mikaela got to meet her Mommy. It's quite a trip for me to think back at it. I mean there was my daughter, in a box, with a jaundice light over her, and tubes going in and out of her. And then there was my wife wheeling up to her, with tubes going in and out of her. To see Melanie's hand reach inside the incubator, and touch the hand of Mikaela was something I will never forget.

The next day, was New Years Eve. I remember this day because two great things happened. One, Melanie was cleared to go home, and Two, we got some great news from a doctor. I visited Mikaela that day, and her nurse told me that Dr. Hanes, an orthopedic specialist came to visit her. He took x-rays and studied her arms and based on his assessment, Mikaela's prognosis was good. All she would need was rigorous Physical and Occupational Therapy. He said her bones looked great, but she needed to stretch out her tendons which had tightened severely in utero. While there were still plenty of questions to be asked, the news that she was going to be okay was the best news I've heard in my life. I remember Melanie breaking down in tears of relief when I told her the news. That day, I took Melanie home to get cleaned up and dressed, so we could go back to the hospital in time to say Happy New Year to Mikaela.

On Thursday, January 15th, Mikaela was approved to be discharged from the hospital. The past 20 days were filled with so much joy, and so much stress and fear. We still didn't know exactly what had caused Mikaela's condition. Specialist, after specialist came and went, did their tests to try and find something. Geneticists came and went, Neurologists came and went and still nothing. We still weren't exactly sure what Mikaela's condition was. Everything from Hyper-tonal muscles, Arthrogryposis, and Holt Oram were still possibilities. Once we were home, the next several weeks consisted of doctor follow ups, and 2nd and 3rd opinions.
We finally got our answer on Tuesday, February 24th. That day, we went to Children's Hospital of Los Angeles and met with Dr. Lightdale, who specializes only with children's orthopedics. Dr. Lightdale confirmed to us that what Mikaela has is indeed Arthrogryposis, which is a rare congenital disorder, usually involving contractures, muscle weakness, and fibrosis in the joints. The good news is that Arthrogryposis (or AMC, Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita) will never get worse over time. The way to treat it is intense physical and occupational therapy to help loosen and stretch the joints and muscles, with surgery as a possible option down the road. Despite what she has, the most important thing for us as parents is to understand that her life is limitless. Mikaela will be able to do anything and everything that any regular person can, but just do it a little differently.

In the end, it's been quite a roller coaster to get here, and through it all, Melanie and I have been blessed with this amazing little baby. Despite what we have been through we are so thankful for everyone involved, even those doctors. I've heard several times from family and friends that we should seek legal action against some of those doctors for putting my wife through a lot of things she didn't have to go through. My quick response is "If it bothers you so much, you are more than welcome to sue them." I guess our point is that we hold no anger, or regret for anything that has happened. We're moving forward like any other parent would when put in any similar situation. We've done a lot of research on the possible situations we could have been faced with based on some of these doctors opinions. Let's just say I'm glad doctors can be wrong too. Mikaela is now receiving PT and OT from San Gabriel Valley Regional Center, by someone who comes to our apartment. She also has several splints that have been made for her arms to help with stretching. Aside from those two things, we can't wait to watch her grow up into a beautiful, young lady.

The big news!

This all started back in March when my period disappeared. (Sorry guys, it’s part of life) When the end of April came around, I started to worry and went to see a few doctors. Doctor after doctor just told me I must be over stressed and my period will come in time. But as I started to feel a little “strange” I decided to see one more doctor, my Mom’s doctor. I went to the appointment and I remember the woman at the front desk was so sweet and kind, and she smiled at me and said “I think you are pregnant”. I went through my visit, not being so crazy about the doctor because she was very rough with me and when she would push on my ovaries it really hurt. She told me to go downstairs and take one more blood work, and she’ll give me the call tomorrow to go ahead with the prescription to bring on my period. I left there very upset and confused and when I got back to work I told my Mom I’m just going to throw away the prescription and wait for my period to come around and not call like they asked me to.

Well the next day came and when my phone rang at noon I was running around my apartment trying to leave because I was late. When I answered, it was the sweet nurse from the front desk. She asked how I was and I said I was fine and all I wanted to hear once again was it was negative so I wouldn’t have to think about it. She asked if I was sitting down (as I was walking into my kitchen) I said yes, and she said - “Well Melanie, you’re pregnant.” All of a sudden my knees locked and I realized I wasn’t sitting down and it was a total shock. I told her I lied and I wasn’t sitting down and I needed to sit down! She was such a kind hearted woman and I’ll never forget when I found out we were expecting.

I didn’t want to wait another minute keeping it from Murad so I decided to call him at work, knowing he won’t be home until really late at night (he was on crunch time and sometimes came home at 2am every night). So when he answered the phone I told him I got the call from the doctor... And he was like, Ok... And I said “We’re pregnant!” And all I heard was a lot of sighing and a loss for words. I do wish I could have seen his face, but I couldn’t wait and I wanted him to be the first to know!