|
From the desk of Martin G. Williams, MD
Millie is short for Milagro, which in Spanish means miracle. It's an appropriate name for our beautiful little Millie. The story began back in December 2008 when her mother Belkys had shown up for pre-natal consult towards the beginning of the month. The ultrasound, previously done, had confirmed that there were twins in that belly. This was an accomplishment for me, it was the first time that I had been able to detect twins' heartbeats with my stethoscope around the 24-26 gestational week mark. I was proud of myself.
So I was surprised when on the 31st of December Belkys went into early labour. I quickly drove her to La Ceiba and we hurriedly admitted her into the L&D ward in Atlantida's hospital. There the ultrasound showed that both twins were without a heartbeat, essentially dead. The Ob/Gyn doctor at the hospital had been one of my professors and we had kept in touch since my graduation. It was because of this ongoing relationship that I felt comfortable in insisting adamantly that we should C-section her ASAP. She was quickly rolled into the OR and soon prepped for the surgery. When the first baby was delivered, she looked like she had been dead for more than an hour, without any signs of life. When the second baby was delivered, I noticed she was significantly smaller and equally blue and flaccid as the first twin. My heart was broken, these babies meant so much to me.
As we were concluding the surgery, the anesthesiologist, exclaimed that the second baby was twitching. We quickly attended her and within minutes she was breathing on her own. Both babies had passed away but for some reason, Millie, the smaller and more feeble of the two, had come back to life.
Each year for her birthday we shower her with gifts. This year she had a special request, a backpack. Our little Millie just turned five and will start kindergarten next month! We serve a God who still performs miracles, and each year we get a very big hug from one of them.
|
