Touching story of a newborn in Dubai goes viral
Dubai : A Dubai mum who chronicled the heartbreaking story of the birth and subsequent loss of her newborn to a genetic disease has touched a chord worldwide.
Filipino national Roselyn Tesero wrote a touching account - from her pregnancy to when her son Damari Kaeden was born with the congenital defect Esophageal Atresia - to his death days later.
The version of the events that she documented on Facebook has already been shared 112,078 times and has received 57,771 likes.
A prenatal fetal anomaly scan done during her pregnancy in December last year showed that Roselyn had excess amniotic fluid, but test results came out normal, indicating that she and baby were likely to be fine. On the contrary, Damari was born with the hereditary disorder in the Philippines on March 12.
"Only if his condition had been traced during my routine checks, and doctors had known that Damari is likely to be born with some kind of condition ... it would have helped save his life," said Roselyn while speaking to Khaleej Times. Roselyn, who has been in Dubai for the past eight years has three other children who do not have the condition.
Roselyn's story in ?her own words.
I want to share our story to our friends and family on how we fought but sadly lost the battle against Esophageal Atresia with my son and now an angel Damari...
(Pic 1) In September 2015 she wrote, "It came to me as a surprise, another baby is on the way. Unplanned but doesn't mean unwanted.
"The first time I heard his heartbeat I shed a tear because I was overwhelmed with so much joy. Ultrasound reveals that I'm having a baby boy. I already have a name for him. Due date is April 6, 2016."
After the December fetal anomaly scan she wrote: "Results show that I have Polyhydramnios. Series of tests conducted but results came out normal. I went home assured that nothing's wrong with me or my baby."
A short while later. "My boy is having a hard time breathing and has sticky saliva secretion so oxygen has been administered and series of suctions have been done."
As he cannot feed properly due to constantly choking and vomiting, nurses put him on IV. Puncture wounds are everywhere since they have to move places where they can find good veins... Seeing him like this has broken my heart already."
After nine days in the hospital, Damari was sent home but on the same night, he choked after being fed. Within 24 hours, he was back in hospital and in the NICU.
"I cried when I reached home, this is the first night when I can't be beside my baby. What if he's awake, who will attend to him? What if he's crying, who will carry him? What if he misses me, who will be with him?
Doctors decided on a major surgery for Damari on March 24. "We waited from 8.30 am until 5pm."
"On March 27 a day after his surgery he had bradycardic episodes and cold extremities, he was intubated.
My heart was broken after I saw him in this state."
"March 28 he became pale with bradycardia and was gasping due to pneumothorax. Due to difficulty in IV insertion, jugular vein insertion was done.
March 31: I knew something was off so I decided to stay overnight. At around past 2am of April 1, his doctor spoke to me. Be prepared, she said.
"I kissed my son all over. We used to hold hands together but this time he did not grasp onto my hand. My son at this point had a very faint heartbeat. My sweet baby gave up the battle at 4am, Friday, April 1. Heaven gained an angel but I was left broken-hearted.
What is Esophageal Atresia (EA)?
EA is a disorder of the digestive system in which the esophagus
does not develop properly. The esophagus is the tube that carries
food from the mouth to the stomach. It is a congenital defect
which means it occurs before birth.
Symptoms include:
> Bluish colouration to the skin with attempted feeding
> Coughing, gagging, and choking with attempted feeding
> Drooling
> Poor feeding
The infant may breathe saliva and other fluids into the lungs,
causing aspiration pneumonia, choking, and possibly death.
Related Posts