Matilda's Gift
Chapter 2:
The next few months were busy for the couple. Worry and uncertainty never left their minds, but they knew their daughter was in good hands. In early December, Kim and Tommy had another routine appointment with Dr. Borland. Kim lie on the exam table, waiting for the doctor to come in. A few minutes later, she came in and shook the couple's hands. "How have you been feeling, Kimberly?" She asked.
"I've been feeling good, thanks," Kim replied with a smile. "I still have some fatigue and morning sickness, but it's not as bad as before."
Dr. Borland nodded and turned to Tommy. "And how are you feeling, Tommy? You've been a rock for Kim throughout this journey."
Tommy smiled. "I'm doing alright. It's been tough, but seeing my family happy and healthy makes it all worth it."
The doctor nodded in agreement. "Well, you have every reason to be happy today. The baby's heart function hasn't changed and she's moving around like she should."
Kim's eyes widened with excitement. "Really? That's amazing!"
Tommy reached for her hand and squeezed it gently. "We're almost there, Beautiful! Um…Dr. Borland, we've been wondering. What should we expect with the delivery? Can she deliver naturally as she'd like or will she need a c-section?"
Dr. Borland considered their question for a moment before responding. "It's possible for Kim to deliver naturally, but given the complexity of the baby's heart defect, we would need to monitor her closely during labor. We may also need to be prepared for an emergency c-section if necessary."
Tommy nodded, understanding the risks involved. "Thank you for being honest with us, Doctor. We just want to make sure we're prepared for anything."
The doctor smiled warmly at the couple. "Of course, that's what I'm here for. We'll continue to monitor everything closely and make sure both Kim and your daughter are safe and healthy during delivery."As they left the appointment, Kim and Tommy felt a mix of excitement and nerves. They knew that their daughter's heart condition made the delivery process more complicated, but they trusted in the medical team to guide them through every step.
A week later, they went back to Dr. Borland's office. The baby was still active, though she had slowed down a little, but Kim hadn't been feeling well the last couple days and Tommy was concerned that something had changed.
Dr. Borland noticed the worry on Tommy's face and asked Kim, "What symptoms have you been experiencing?"
Kim shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "I've been having contractions and some cramping. And I feel like she's not moving as much as before."
The doctor nodded and said, "Let's do an ultrasound and see how she's doing."
During the ultrasound, Dr. Borland examined the baby's heart and other organs, looking for any signs of distress. After a few moments, she turned to the couple and said, "I'm sorry to say this, but we need to get her out soon. Her heart function is decreasing."
Kim and Tommy were stunned. They had been preparing for a high-risk delivery, but this was unexpected.
"How soon?" Kim asked with panic in her voice.
"As soon as possible. Right now, you have a choice. We can either induce you in the next day or two and do a trial of labor or do a c-section." The doctor informed them.
Tommy "What should she do?"
"I can't say for sure what's going to happen, but you have a big decision to make." Dr. Borland reassured them, "We're going to do everything we can to ensure a safe delivery. We'll have an operating room and a team of specialists ready for your daughter's birth in case it's needed."
Kim and Tommy nodded, still in shock. They were scared for their daughter, but they knew they were in the best hands possible.
They spent the rest of the day discussing their options with each other and with the medical team. Ultimately, they decided to go ahead with a c-section. The thought of a natural birth with potential complications was too much for them and they wanted the most assured outcome for their daughter's safety. The c-section was scheduled for three days away.
The night before surgery, Kim woke up around ten-thirty, feeling strong pains in her belly. She shook Tommy hurriedly, waking him up. "What's wrong, Kim? You okay?"
Kim gasped for air as she tried to talk through the pain. "I think my water broke, Tommy. We need to go to the hospital now."
Tommy jumped out of bed and quickly got dressed, grabbing their hospital bags on the way out. They rushed to the car and drove to the hospital, calling Dr. Borland and Dr. Steele from the road.
Once they arrived at the hospital, they were whisked away to the labor and delivery unit. The medical team sprang into action, prepping Kim for the c-section as they monitored the baby's heart rate. Time seemed to both drag on and fly by as they waited for the surgery to begin.
Finally, the anesthesiologist administered the epidural and Kim was prepped for the c-section.
"I'm scared, Tommy!" She admitted, her lips quivering.
"I know, Beautiful! It's okay. You'll be fine. I'm right here."
"What if she doesn't make it?"
"She will, Kim! She's strong, just like you. She's a fighter!" He'd never seen her this scared. He didn't want to admit it in front of her, but he was just as scared. But he kept his focus and held her hand tight as they waited for the surgery to begin. Soon, they heard the sound of their daughter's first cry, and tears streamed down their faces as they realized she was finally here.
"She's beautiful, Kim," Tommy whispered, gazing at their daughter in wonder.
Kim smiled. "Yes, she is. She's perfect!"
The medical teams quickly got to work, examining the baby's heart and other vital organs. After what felt like an eternity, Dr. Borland turned to the couple with a relieved smile on her face. "She's doing great, guys. Her heart did well during the delivery. She's a fighter, just like her parents."
Kim and Tommy breathed a sigh of relief, tears streaming down their faces as they gazed at their miracle baby. They knew there would still be challenges ahead, but in that moment, they were happy just to have their daughter out safely.
Dr. Steele's team had been on stand-by, waiting to transfer the baby to Children's Hospital Los Angeles for more tests and within a few days, she'd have her first surgery.
"It's time for us to take her now." One of the doctors informed them and Kim and Tommy gave their daughter a kiss and told her they loved her, watching tearfully as he took her from her parents' arms.
"I want you to go with her, Handsome." Kim told him.
"Are you sure?"
Kim nodded. "I don't want her to spend her first days alone."
Tommy smiled and squeezed her hand. "Alright, I'll go with her. But I'll be back as soon as I can."
With one final glance at their daughter, Tommy left with the team to accompany their daughter to the specialized hospital.
As Kim lay in her hospital bed, she couldn't help but feel a sense of emptiness without her daughter by her side. But she knew that she was in good hands and that they would do everything they could to give her a healthy life.
She closed her eyes, feeling exhaustion take over her body. But she couldn't wait to hold her daughter in her arms again. For now, all she could do was rest and hope for the best.
She called Tommy every few hours, anxious for updates on their daughter's condition and also called Trini and Jason to check on Evan.
Two days after delivery, Kim was discharged from the hospital and though she was still sore from the c-section operation, she asked Tommy's mom to take her to be with the baby before she went in for the heart operation.
When she arrived, she found Tommy holding their daughter, tears in his eyes as he looked down at her. Kim joined him, and they held their daughter together, whispering words of love and encouragement.
Dr. Steele explained that he would perform the Norwood procedure, the first of three surgeries to create a new functional alternate pathway to provide adequate blood flow from the circulatory system to the rest of the little girl's body.
A few hours later, their daughter was taken into surgery.
The surgery were filled with anxious waiting and hoping for a positive outcome. Finally, Dr. Steele came to see them, a smile on his face.
"Everything went well," he told them. "We'll need to monitor her closely over the next few weeks or so, but everything looks promising for her recovery."
Kim and Tommy embraced each other in relief and gratitude. They knew there were still more hurdles to come, but in that moment, they were filled with hope and happiness that their daughter had made it through her first major surgery.
The anxious parents went into the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit where their baby was lying in a crib, her tiny body covered in many tubes and wires and she was sedated and connected to a ventilator.
Kim and Tommy's hearts sank at the sight of their daughter connected to so many machines and sedated, but they knew that it was necessary for her to recover. They approached her crib, and Kim gently reached out to touch her hand.
"We're here, baby girl. Mommy and Daddy love you," she whispered softly.
Tommy stood close by, his eyes filled with concern and worry. The medical staff briefed them on their daughter's condition and the treatments she was receiving, describing her breathing support and medications.
Tommy had his hand on his wife's shoulder, both of them gazing at their little one with love and concern.
The medical staff quickly briefed them on the machines and medications their daughter was receiving and told them what to expect during her recovery.
Kim and Tommy became temporary residents of the hospital, spending nearly every waking moment at their daughter's side.
They learned how to take care of her and make her comfortable, how to read her signals and respond to her needs. They sang to her, talked to her, and stroked her hands and face gently, doing everything they could to make sure she felt loved and protected.
At times, it was overwhelming, and they both struggled with their emotions. But they leaned on each other for support and shared their fears and hopes, giving each other strength.