Our long awaited beginning

Monday, 5/19/14

February 25, 2014 started like any other day.  The alarm went off at 6:30 a.m. and we rolled out of bed and got ready for work.  On my way out I kissed my beautiful wife good bye and we exchanged our ceremonial “I love you” and “have a great day, talk to you later”.  It was a beautiful clear day, with no reason to believe this day would be any different than any other day.  At 10:52 a.m. that would all change.  My cell phone sitting on my desk began to vibrate, I see it is Katie calling so I answer.  She immediately tells me that her water broke.  I can remember feeling my heart sink in my chest like I was in a free fall.  She told me that she called her Doctor and was being taken to the hospital by her co-workers.  I told her not to worry everything would be ok and I would meet her there.  I raced the 5 miles to the hospital and made it up to labor and delivery only to find that I beat Katie to the hospital.  I went back downstairs and she was just arriving with her co-workers.  After getting her in a wheelchair we went to labor and delivery where an ultrasound and test confirmed that her water had broken.  Her doctor told us that it was a priority to get her transferred to Orlando where she could be in the care of medical professionals that would be able to provide her and our baby the best care.  She was 26 weeks and 4 days pregnant and our minds were racing with all of the potential scenarios.  I began researching feverishly because over analyzing everything is my best and worst trait.  After realizing that 80% of pregnancies were delivered within one week I became engaged by fear and intrigued by the unknown.  Katie was taken by ambulance to Orlando and at 6 p.m. we arrived at Florida Hospital Orlando.  She and Baby Hoffman were in god’s hands now and realizing this became my strength for getting through all that was to come.  From the moment she was admitted we knew she and our baby were in the best possible place.   Her goal was simple, “Stay Pregnant”.  This was not God’s plan however and shortly after the medical team performed their evaluation Katie began having severe contractions.  Dr. Wolfe and the medical team returned to the room and upon determining that Katie was now in labor she was moved across the hall into an OR suite.  I remember vividly Katie and I looking at one another and saying, “I guess this it”.  We had not been to one class or read one book but that didn’t matter anymore because this was God’s plan.  Katie was being coached by multiple nurses on the importance of pushing continuously with little breaks.  Within 20 minutes, at 8:09 p.m. Baby Hoffman was born.  That moment was the most amazing I have ever seen and without hesitation I told my beautiful wife Katie that she was my hero.  We caught a small glimpse of Baby Hoffman as he was quickly handed off to another medical team through a large rectangular opening that spontaneously appeared in a wall across the room.  A nurse would come to us shortly after his birth with one question, “What is your baby boy’s name?”  We had three in mind but without hesitation we said Carter, and then Katie would add Carter Henry.  Henry was my dad’s middle name that was handed down to me and now handed down to our son.  Although my dad had passed nearly 7 years ago I had never felt so close to him than in that moment. 

                                            Less than 30 minutes after Carter's birth

It would be another 2 hours before we were led to the area where Baby Carter was being cared for.  I wheeled Katie in a wheelchair as we followed the nurse into the treatment room.  We were told that he had multiple IVs one being in his belly button and was on a CPAP machine in addition to other ongoing treatments.  We were fearful and excited to meet our son.  When the nurse led us to his treatment table I remember laying eyes on him and feeling every possible emotion I have ever felt in my life and some I have never felt, all at once.

                                                                   Day 1

Over the next 48 hours Katie and I would make some very difficult decisions and parenthood had begun 14 weeks earlier than we expected.  Fast forward 84 days.  Carter has overcome a Patent Ductus Arteriosis, Retinopathy of Prematurity, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Bilateral Intraventricular Hemorrhages, Hyponatremia and many other prematurity related conditions.  The medical professionals at Florida Hospital Children’s Orlando have become a part of our family.  They are true professionals who have been our support when we need it the most, our driving force when we need to be strong and our ear when we just need to talk.  They have taught us more than how to take care of a preemie.  We will be grateful for them for the rest of our lives. 

              Two amazing nurses, Heidi and Priscilla who took such amazing care of Carter

This journey has brought us such emotion but it has also brought us together more than we ever thought.  We always knew we had an amazing relationship founded on respect for one another and indescribable love but we had never truly been tested until now.  There is no other person in this world that I could have faced this challenge with.  As we are discharged from the NICU today to take our little boy home I am met with such emotion about life.   I have learned many lessons and the world is a much different place to me now than it was before February 25, 2014.  Katie and I want to thank you all for your support, your love and your unrelenting prayers.  You all kept us strong throughout this journey and gave proof to the goodness in this world.  We truly love you! 

                                                      As we left the NICU today

Throughout this experience I have tried to find ways to give back and although I will continue to update this blog so that all you can continue to follow Carter’s progress as he grows and has preemie follow-up appointments I will be starting a new blog to help new preemie parents.  When this blog goes live I would ask that you share it with everyone you know.  This blog will have up to date studies, research and topics regarding premature births, conditions and challenges.  I will post the link to it on this blog when it goes live.  For now much love from the Hoffman family to yours as we relax and reap the rewards and emotions in our home with Carter on this amazing night.