Jacqueline Mullikin - McNeill

McNeill was born on 3/3/00. I had an uneventful pregnancy. At 41 weeks, I was induced. I had been in labor for about 8 hours. The doctor came in and examined me and broke my water. Shortly after I felt another gush of fluid. This time it was blood. I was rushed to the OR for an emergency c-section under general anesthesia.

When I awoke the doctors gave me almost no hope for McNeill's survival. He was completely transfused and had also asperated meconium. He was on an osolator with and various other drugs to regulate his failing system. I was told that they could not tell for 3 days if there was any brain activity due to a drug used to paralyze him during recovery. He was so still. And he was so active when I was pregnant with him. It was terrifying. There was little hope for his recovery. My husband and I were devastated. I fortunately was in the same hospital with him so I could visit often. I stayed by his side every moment possible.

Then 3 days passed and we started seeing signs of brain activity. The kidneys had been working the whole time which was our one bit of encouragement. Every day we saw small bits and pieces of recovery. The neonatologists and and staff were shocked at his strides made daily. He never back slid. I was still cautioned that he would probably only be 50% normal If he truly survived . I did not care I just wanted my baby. He was in the NICU for 2 and 1/2 weeks and was released.

He has never had one minutes trouble since. We are so grateful. They told us when we left that we had to put this out of our minds and that every thing was normal. I'll never put it out of my mind until no one else looses a child needlessly to VP. God bless all of you that were not so fortunate.

Jacqueline Mullikin