The Life of Kaitlyn Anna Fischer
Kaitlyn Anna Fischer came into the world rather unexpectedly on Thursday March 1, 2001 at a mere 14 ounces and, 9 1/2 inches long. Stacey's water broke a week earlier and she spent 4 days bed ridden in Holland Hospital. She was moved to Spectrum Health with very little hope. After arriving at Spectrum the picture changed slightly and she was told the longer they could prevent your delivery the better. They hoped to prevent infection by administering two different antibiotics, increase amniotic fluid by pushing liquids with IV's and to prevent premature labor. Again she was flat on her back but with some hope now because you were now 23 1/2 weeks gestation and probably about 1lb. 3oz.On Thursday March 1 things began changing. Your heartbeat started to drop so they moved your mom to the neonatal unit to monitor you continuously. There she met with the Neonatal doctors and again the story became very grim. You really were very little and they did not want to deliver you unless absolutely necessary. We called your dad and both your grandpa's showed up too. And of course I was there too (your grandma Jackie). Your grandma Sheryl was visiting in Arizona praying for you. Things got worse and you had to be delivered at 7:21 p.m. So on March 1 you came into the world at a mere 14 ounces. (Much smaller than the doctors anticipated) You were immediately put on a venilator and were only give 24-48hrs to live but you were a fighter. Kaitlyn, you did well for the first few days as they used medication to help your blood pressure, sugar level, and blood gasses. They had you under a light for a high bilirubin and you recieved a few blood transfusions but hung in there. You were recieving appropriate neonatal care. But we were warned about the honey moon period for preemies. Things began to change on Tuesday at 2:00 a.m. they put you on a High Frequency Venilator because the other one was causing lung inflammation and your respiration was not staying where it should be. They had to turn the other respirator up to it's highest and it still was not helping enough. But we were still encouraged because this was a normal step in a preemies recovery. Your mom and I visited you that Tuesday evening about 4:30. While we were there your vitals took a plunge. Your heart rate dropped from 148 to 85 and your O2 dropped to 30 percent from 90. The nurse bagged you and called in the Neonatal Doctor. He was very concerned at this point. But your vitals remained up there for another hour so we left you in the care of some wonderful nurses. They later turned you on your side, which seemed to help get air into a part of your lung they thought may not be inflating.Wednesday afternoon your grandma Sheryl had the honor of meeting you. But at that meeting the doctors were getting ready to put you on an even higher frequency venilator. You seemed to be failing a little. Your lungs were not doing well. They also thought you had a PDA, which is a valve in your heart that did not close after birth. So they gave you medication for that. But you were in good hands. Your dad returned to the hospital at about 9:00 p.m. He called your mom a few times in the next few hours to keep her updated. At 11:00 p.m. we all decided that your dad should not be alone so we took your mom to the hospital.We did not know we were in for the longest most agonizing night of our lives. Your mom and dad had a chance to be alone with you and hold you. They found out that there was little hope for you and that they could no longer promise to keep you out of pain because your little lungs had air sacs that were popping. The venilator was turned off and we were invited in to see our granddaughter one last time. You were beautiful in life and you were beautiful in death. You have not only touched your own family but many others. Your mom and dad are wonderful. They are two very special people and I know why God gave you to them. You will never be forgotten, you were one very tough, beautiful little girl.Now you are in God's care and he will take care of you.
Your Grandma Jackie
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