Bode’s Story

As told by his mother, Jamie.

It is true that was meant to be the most exciting, anxious-filled and happy times in our lives, ended up being just that and some. You see, the some was the part that wasn’t so exciting and happy for us as first time parents.

As I have thought long and hard about how I wanted to present “our baby loss story” I realized that Remembering “That Day,” was devastating twice. For Brighton and I, we had 5 1/2 weeks to prepare us for 3 things. One: to walk away with a perfectly healthy small baby after being in the NICU. Two: to walk away with a baby with multiple disabilities. Or three: to walk away empty handed.

It all started when I was 19 weeks along in my cookie cutter pregnancy, when one morning I woke up to what ended up being the scariest and saddest days of our lives thus far. Yes, my water broke. How does this happen? I didn’t know this could happen. The term the doctor used was pPROM. (Preterm Pre-mature rupture of membranes) “THAT DAY” everything came crashing down on me and my already excited and “anxious-to-become-a-parent” spouse.

Leaving the specialist “THAT DAY” we knew that our perfectly healthy baby boy was doing “well,” but the chances of him living were slim. We were given many options, one of which was to “terminate” the pregnancy. The word “termination” still rings in my mind from “THAT DAY” and still makes me cringe, because our baby was alive and his little sweet heart was beating strong.

I will forever be grateful to the fill-in specialist that we followed up with 2 weeks later who was one of few who told us to be “HOPEFUL.”

Multiple specialists report that 4% of women have this happen in their pregnancies. 4%. The specialist also told us that 90% of women go into labor within 72 hrs after their water breaks. We were that 10% that beat those odds. Unfortunately everyday after that point was crucial to stay pregnant. I ended up putting myself on modified bed rest then eventually full bed rest. Everyday I would cry of course, but LOVED on my baby. I prayed for him, I sang for him, I listened to his perfect heartbeat on my home doppler. I took multiple vitamins to prevent infection. Also how much doterra “ON GAURD” did I go through?  I drank at least a gallon or more of water a day. I ate pro-biotics, protein and yes prunes. All that laying around took a toll on my body, but I did everything I could to keep myself pregnant.  We believed in his fight and we were going to do everything we could for him. Of course we were realistic in “what could happen,” but tried with every part of our souls to STAY POSITIVE. Having a constant hope for good things to come. Our motto became, “Where there is life, there is HOPE.” I stood by that everyday.

We could not believe we kept staying pregnant day after day. At 23 weeks we again were told to terminate. Our baby wouldn’t have a chance and if he did make it he would most likely have a severe disability.  We knew this wasn’t OUR decision. Our sweet baby boy was obviously a champ and we believed it was in Gods hands. We prayed constantly. Our friends and family prayed constantly and we are so beyond grateful for every ones support. We continued on. I told the specialist, “WE WILL NOT TERMINATE.”  And we continued on some more. Hoping and praying we would make it to 24 weeks where the baby was “viable.”

Again, most of the specialty Drs. told us we wouldn’t make it that far, but we did. Thankfully my OB was on board with our fight and after 5 ½ half weeks on bed rest we finally reached 24 weeks. YAY! The baby was still doing great, however just like every visit prior since pPROM, my fluid levels were not measurable. Because of the support groups I had joined while on bed-rest; I knew there was a chance. We believed that we too could have a miracle baby who could live, considering he already was our miracle, being that I had made it to 24 weeks. It’s true that one of the most courageous decisions we did ever make, was to BELIEVE in a miracle.

The big day had come. We were admitted to the hospital the day before our 2nd year anniversary & I was so looking forward to 5 star hospital meals on wheels kind of dinner to celebrate. Of course I packed all my belongings and some because I was certain I was in it for the long hall. I was hoping at least 6 more weeks in the hospital. So I packed decor too. Had to make my room nice and homey. That night little did we know would be the last day I would be pregnant.

The following day was our anniversary and we started off the morning with hospital breakfast and watching our wedding video. I had been experiencing a little bit of discomfort but nothing that the nurses were too concerned about. No contractions were identified on the monitors. Well, it wasn’t 2 hours later that those small discomforts ended up being huge contractions, which eventually led to placental abruption. I hemorrhaged and I’m talking I literally thought I was going to die. I have never in my life thought it was possible for someone to lose that much blood & still be alive. From there I knew it was happening. I was going to deliver my sweet baby boy that day.

I will say that I have never been so calm in my life during that hour of delivery. I delivered our sweet Bode James. He was here in a blink of an eye. He was born at 3:12 pm weighing 1 lb. 6 oz. and was 11 3/4 inches long.  Oh and he was so cute.

My sweet husband was so proud at that moment as be became a dad that day. What an exciting, anxious filled day becoming parents for the first time on our anniversary. I remember crying and praying to my loving Heavenly Father to let him live. At least one day.  I will say I couldn’t even imagine having him be born and pass away on our anniversary. So I prayed for that.  It wasn’t until several hours later that our hopes and dreams of taking our sweet baby home was not going to happen this time.

Jamie

The night had come and gone as I was recovering after a pretty fast day. It all feels like a blur for me, considering many people are in labor for days or hours.  It was 2:30 am on October 6th that changed our lives forever. We sat in the NICU very anxiously as the NICU doctors and nurses worked continuously on our sweet baby boy. Just when he would seem to be doing well, his sats would drop again.  I remember hearing all the bells and whistles from the monitors and feeling numb. I still believed he could make it, but knew he was in a very fragile state. Because I could understand the Dr’s medical terms and such while in the room with Bode, I knew that things didn’t look so well for him. However, we pushed on and continued care. We sat and watched Bode as they continued to pump blood and other medicines into his fragile body hour after hour. It was “THAT DAY” at 5:05 am that our Bode James took his last breath and returned to the arms of Jesus and our Heavenly Father. The precious time we got to spend next to him in the NICU was not nearly enough. I never knew those precious 14 hours could make such an impact on us as it has. Our little baby is our hero and was such a BRAVE and valiant spirit who came to us so graciously. He had so much courage and we truly are so proud of him and his fight to stay with us. Long enough that we got the chance to see him live.

We spend the next 8 hours holding him and loving him & crying over him with our families. I was able to take pictures of him to always remember his sweet face, tiny toes, cutest nose and long fingers.  His face will forever be engraved in my memory and the feelings of being completely IN LOVE with someone I just met will always hold a place in my heart.

Bode2

For me, I will never forget leaving the hospital “empty handed.” Brighton pushed me to the car with blankets on my lap instead of a sweet, bundled up smelling good baby. It was and still is somewhat haunting my emotions. That is the part of “THAT DAY” that makes me most sad. Something I am sure I will have to work through for a long time.

Just like all other angel babies out there, Bode is and always will be a part of our family and we would like to spread the word of HOPE for other families struggling with this and similar complications. Unfortunately our sweet Bode James did not make it, but again he was able to make it long enough for us to KNOW him. Like I mentioned, one of the most courageous decisions we ever made was believe in a miracle. I could never imagine living with any “what if’s.” I know in my heart that our sweet Bode James is proud of us for being BRAVE enough to believe in that miracle. He was our miracle and will always be that to me. I am so blessed to have him as mine forever.

Balloon

[Balloons for Bode]

Have you ever seen a balloon float by, & ever wonder just how far it could fly?

Today & always we will think of you, with every different single shade of blue.

Your tiny self has filled our hearts with so much love.

It is my prayer we can always feel your spirit from up above.

Our dearest Bode, so precious was your little frame.

You fought so hard from the moment you came.

You were so brave and did your very best.

We hope you give us the courage, to help us with the rest.

Now throughout the years balloons will forever remind us of you.

As one sails up to the heavens, please our sweet baby always think of us to.

Mommy and daddy will surely miss your cute toes and your sweet face, we cannot wait for the day to feel your warm embrace.

Love mommy.

Website: Bebravedearone.com

Instagram: @jamie_b_brave

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