San Jose Mission Family Walks in Memory of their Little Boy

Amy Hiett was pregnant with her fourth little boy when her world became forever changed.  She first had signs that something might be amiss at 26 weeks.  She went to the ER with headaches and vomiting and pain on her right side. Her labs came back ok, however, so she was sent home with what everyone thought was the stomach flu.

At her 30 weeks doctor appointment, after taking her blood pressure, her doctor immediately laid her on her side and said, “We need to get your BP down and your urine is +2. You will be on bed rest from here on out, and I need to prepare you for having a preemie because you will not make it to the end.”

As many other moms can attest to, bedrest when you have a child already at home is tough, when you have three kids at home, even harder.  But, Amy and her husband did the best they could to keep Amy rested and their baby well cared for.

At 34 weeks, on a Thursday, she went in for her weekly checkup.  She felt awful, but the doctor said her baby looked good.  He told her to be ready though, that they would deliver next week. Just five days later, at 35 weeks, she went in and told the doctor she was anxious and had insomnia because she was consumed with the thought of her baby dying.

Her doctor pulled out the Doppler and, sadly, found no heartbeat.  They then went into the ultrasound room.  Amy reclined in the chair and says she had “the most horrible feeling.” The next thing Amy heard was, “I’m so sorry, your baby is dead.”

Amy was sent to the hospital where her BP spiraled out of control, her head pounded and the pain on her right side had returned again. She was given three different BP meds and put on a mag drip, but her BP was still 197/107.  Amy was fading in and out, but remembers hearing her husband tell the doctor, “I can’t lose my wife too!”

She was taken in for a c-section and Amy recalls, “My headache went away on the table, and I looked over and there was our sweet still baby and my teary eyed husband.”

The next few months would be a blur of a funeral, confusion, slow speech, headaches, swelling and fear of leaving the house. After just over a year, Amy’s health problems are mostly gone, but the grief and fear, she says, “they creep in like ships in the night.”

Amy, her husband and their three other boys will be at the San Jose Promise Walk for Preeclampsia to share their story and remember their sweet son and brother, Seeley Andrew Hiett who came into this world still at 3 ½ pounds and 15 ½ inches long.

You can join them by registering now at www.promisewalk.org/sanjose.

Healing Her Heart Through Writing and Walking

Ty Allen is a poet and the mommy to a little girl named Tanasia… who lived for just 24 days.  This year, she has also become a walk coordinator bringing the Promise Walk for Preeclampsia to Washington, DC.

In 2008, Ty was pregnant with her first and only baby, when at 25 weeks pregnant, she began to notice some swelling in her feet.  Friends suggested it was normal pregnancy swelling, but Ty knew she just didn’t feel right and made an appointment with her doctor.

At Ty’s appointment, she discovered her blood pressure was very high and she was spilling proteins into her urine.  She had preeclampsia, just as she feared: two days later she had an emergency c-section.  Her baby girl weighed just one pound and 14 ounces and eventually succumbed to an infection in her intestines.

As a poet, Ty believes that writing helps her to heal even if it can never erase the pain and memory of loss and has been a strong advocate for the Preeclampsia Foundation Community Forum section Writing Heals.  She will also incorporate those talents into her walk with a poetry reading and art table, along with a raffle, health screenings and kids’ activities.

The Washington, DC Promise Walk for Preeclampsia will be held on May 18^th at the Wheaton Region Park.  Participants will also have the chance to win a Bob Revolution SE from our National Sponsor Britax.  Register now at www.promisewalk.org/washingtondc.

Taking the Raleigh Reins

Richie, Molly and their miracle Payton with friends at the 2011 Raleigh Promise Walk.

For the past few years, Leanne Parke has led the charge for the Raleigh Promise Walk for Preeclampsia.  When Leanne’s family relocated to Hershey, Pennsylvania this past year, Molly Herring took over and kept the Promise Walk going.

Molly attended the last two years supporting the walk after her own struggle with preeclampsia.  At 29 weeks in her first pregnancy, she was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia and later with HELLP syndrome.  A day that began with plans to have her hair done and take her niece to the local fair turned into a frightened call to her husband telling him he needed to pack her bags and that she was being admitted to the hospital.

Doctors initially hoped to manage Molly’s preeclampsia, but once she developed HELLP, all bets were off and she was induced into labor.  Her daughter was born at 2 lbs, 12 oz and was so tiny her husband could put his wedding ring around her wrist.  Thankfully, today both Molly and her now two year old little girl have recovered and are healthy and happy.

Having enjoyed the sense of community and new friends that walks have given her in past years, Molly looks to share that with newcomers and return walkers in Raleigh.  Participants can expect to hear speakers, enjoy music and the silent auction.  Kids can jump in the bounce house or have their faces painted.

You can join the Raleigh Promise Walk by registering now at www.promisewalk.org/raleigh.  The walk takes place on Saturday, May 11^th at Apex Community Park.

Hallinan Family Works for Awareness in Philadelphia

Danielle, Matt and Annaliese Hallinan

Danielle Hallinan lost her baby daughter, Grace, to HELLP syndrome at only 24 weeks 6 days.  At 22 weeks she developed epigastric pain and called her OB about it.  They told her it was most likely heartburn, to take Zantac and if the pain continued, call them.

Her pain lessened that night, but continued off and on for about a week.  When she went in to see the doctor at her next appointment, the proteins in her urine were 3+ and she had gained 13lbs. in one month.  They sent her directly to the hospital for “more testing” where her blood pressure measured an incredible 221/113.

The ultrasound measured Danielle’s baby at only about 1 lb, but she was in there and kicking all around.  Her heartbeat was strong also. Once Danielle’s blood work came back, it showed her liver and kidneys were starting to shut down.  Delivery was scheduled within the hour.  Danielle’s baby Gracie came out kicking and screaming…literally.  The NICU doctors took her immediately, she weighed 14 oz.  Danielle was put on magnesium for the next 24 hours.  She got to see Gracie in the NICU, and even though she was hooked up to so many wires, she gripped onto Danielle’s finger as tight as she could.  Danielle recalls that, “Her eyes were still not open, and her tiny chest looked like it was working hard to take in oxygen.  They warned me it would be touch and go.”

The next afternoon, the doctors came in and told Danielle that Gracie’s esophagus wasn’t allowing a tube through to her stomach.  They thought it might not be developed all the way down or maybe there was a tear in it and they wanted to transfer her to Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children.  Before she left, they brought her in Danielle’s room to say goodbye.  Danielle said, “It broke my heart as she waved her little hand at me goodbye.  I know she knew I was there.”

Danielle’s sister, who is a nurse, and her mom stayed in Gracie’s room with her there.  Thursday morning, about 2am, Danielle got a phone call from the doctors at DuPont stating that they weren’t very hopeful about Grace’s progress.  She wasn’t doing well – her lungs weren’t getting oxygen to her blood and her oxygen saturation levels were very low.  At 7am, they called again and said that she was maxed out on meds and there was very little else they could do.  They said that Danielle should come to the hospital to see her daughter.

Danielle and her husband drove to Delaware to see Gracie.  They got to see her and touch her.  Gracie wasn’t moving at all, due to the medications that were sedating her and keeping her out of pain.  It wasn’t hopeful.  They were told they could leave her on the support system until her little body gave out, or they could take her off of it.  They decided that she was suffering and wanted doctors to disconnect everything.  After about fifteen minutes, they went back into her room to see her and hold her, but as soon as Danielle saw her little lifeless body she had to turn around and leave.  Danielle sat down in a chair nearby and sobbed.

When Danielle got pregnant again, she was armed with the knowledge that she would probably get preeclampsia or HELLP again, but was sure that she was doing everything possible to prolong a healthy pregnancy.  At 24 weeks, anxiety kicked in, depression and eating.  It was also when they got their diagnosis that their daughter had a birth defect called CDH, Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.  Annelise Nicole was born July 8, 2011 at 1:55pm via c-section at 34 weeks.  She was a fighter from the start.  After 81 days she left the NICU and came home.  Annelise is now a happy and healthy 18 month old.

You can meet the Hallinan family and Gracie’s little sister Annelise at the Philadelphia Promise Walk for Preeclampsia on May 11^th.  Register now at www.promisewalk.org/philadelphia.

The Loss of One Twin and Miraculous Survival of Another

Micro-preemies.  That’s the name given babies born at the teeny, tiny size at which Albany, NY Promise Walk for Preeclampsia Coordinator A. Kathya Stephenson’s baby girls were born.  Kennedy was a mere 14 oz and Kendyll was only 1 lb, 4 oz.  When you stop to think how very small that is, how very precious these little girls were, it’s even more amazing that Kendyll survived.

Kathya experienced preeclampsia and was forced to deliver her twin daughters.  Because of her illness, the girls were not receiving the proper nutrition they needed, so they were even smaller than their gestational age.  After her experience, Kathya was moved to take action and attended the 2012 New York City Promise Walk.

“As we released a balloon when we reached the middle of the Brooklyn Bridge,  I felt like we were sending a little gift to our little sweet angel in heaven,” said Kathya. She knew that she wanted to bring that same feeling of hope and love to her area to preeclampsia survivors and their families in upstate New York.

This will be her first year coordinating and she has big hopes for the Capital City walk.  Kathya aims to help educate others in her community about the symptoms of preeclampsia.  Through the work of their walk and volunteers, they hope to have Preeclampsia Foundation brochures in as many OB offices as they can.

You can join Kathya, her family and others at the walk on May 11^th at the Crossings of Colonie.  Kathya will be sharing her story and celebrating the life of Kendyll as well as remembering the brief time that Kennedy spent with them.

The Promise Walk will also include family activities, a raffle and music.

You can register now at www.promisewalk.org/albany.

Butterfly Kisses

Autumn Spear may be a first time walk coordinator, but she’s no stranger to the Promise Walk for Preeclampsia. Autumn attended her first walk in 2008, seven weeks after her daughter was born still due to preeclampsia that struck at 22 weeks into her pregnancy.

After a few years of joining the San Diego walk each year, Autumn has taken on a walk of her own in Seattle, WA. The first annual Seattle Promise Walk for Preeclampsia will take place on May 12th at Marymoor Park in Redmond, WA.

Much of the format of the Seattle walk will follow what Autumn has come to know and appreciate at the San Diego event. In fact, one of Autumn’s favorite memories from years past is the butterfly release done in 2011. It’s at this moment in the day that everyone pauses to think of those we’ve lost to preeclampsia and those who have thankfully survived.

Along with a moment to honor survivors and remember the victims, Seattle will host children’s activities, a silent auction and Dr. Thomas Easterling will speak.

In order to register and attend the Seattle Promise Walk for Preeclampsia, go to www.promisewalk.org/seattle. Cost is $20 for adults and $10 for children. For more information contact Autumn at autumn.spear@preeclampsia.org.

From the Mountaintops

Four years in and gaining momentum, the North Conway Promise Walk for Preeclampsia is shouting from the mountaintops the dangers of preeclampsia while looking to support women and families in the New England area who have been touched by the disease.

Coordinator Megan Stuart has a personal connection to preeclampsia.  In 2008, Megan was diagnosed with preeclampsia and HELLP Syndrome.  Forced to deliver at 33 weeks due to her condition, Megan’s daughter was just 3 lbs 9 ounces and spent two weeks in the NICU.  Thankfully, her daughter is fine now, but it wasn’t the way Megan thought her daughter’s life would begin.

If you’d like to join Megan on her journey to educate others on the signs and symptoms of preeclampsia, please register or donate to the North Conway Promise Walk for Preeclampsia.   The walk will kick off on May 12^th at The North Conway Community Center.

Go to www.promisewalk.org/northconway to sign up.  For more information contact Megan Stuart at nhpromisewalk@gmail.com.

Grabbed by the Hand and Led into Helping Others

Four time preeclampsia survivor, three time NICU mom and friend to a woman who lost her baby due to preeclampsia at 34 weeks, Cleveland Promise Walk for Preeclampsia Coordinator Brandi Bigelow knows the toll preeclampsia can take.

Sent home from the hospital after the birth of her first child with liver enzymes unknowingly twelve times the normal level, Brandi owes her life to a follow-up appointment for her daughter at the hospital.  The hospital staff was concerned upon seeing her, drew labs, took her blood pressure and then decided it was best to transfer her to another, larger hospital better able to care for Brandi as she was now in full-blown HELLP Syndrome.

Brandi initially refused the notion of treatment and moving hospitals.  That was until a nurse, according to Brandi, grabbed her by the hand and told her “that my liver was starting to fail and my kidneys didn’t look good either and if I refused treatment, I could die.”  Brandi acquiesced and thankfully recovered.  Three more times Brandi would fight for a healthy pregnancy only to develop preeclampsia once again.

Her final struggle for a “normal” pregnancy was the straw that broke the camel’s back for Brandi.  It’s the straw that lead her to bridge from supporter of the cause to become the Cleveland Promise Walk for Preeclampsia Coordinator.

This will be the first year for the walk in Cleveland and they are off to a strong start.  With plans for survivor stories, kids’ activities and a raffle already in place, the walk promises something for everyone.  To be held May 12^th at the Brookside Reservation, registration is now open and can be found at www.promisewalk.org/cleveland.   The cost is $20 for adults and $10 for children.  Prices increase to $25 for adults for walk-up registration.

For more information, contact Brandi Bigelow at cleveland@preeclampsia.org.

Catharsis Through Volunteerism

Amanda Basom found herself spending six weeks in the NICU watching her baby grow strong enough to come home…this was after her own ordeal with preeclampsia.  In the months that followed, Amanda decided to make her stressful, emotional experience into a positive one.

Amanda is now our Portland, OR Promise Walk for Preeclampsia coordinator…holding our first ever walk in Portland.

This coming May, the pain and stress of the birth of her daughter turns a tough time into a positive for so many others as those in Portland gather to raise awareness of preeclampsia and generate funds to combat the disease.  The day will include a special fundraiser at Oaks Amusement Park where walkers can purchase $15 bracelets to enjoy the afternoon at the park and a portion of the proceeds will go to the Preeclampsia Foundation.

When Amanda signed on as walk coordinator, she understood the task she was taking on was going to be a big one, but it’s been worth it.  “I had never done anything like it before, and it was a little intimidating, but volunteering has actually been very cathartic,” said Amanda when asked about the experience.

If you are in the Portland, OR area on May 12^th, join Amanda by registering at www.promisewalk.org/portland.  Registration is $20 for adults and $10 for children.  The walk begins in Oaks Park at “The Grove” picnic area.

For more information, contact Amanda Basom at Portland@preeclampsia.org.

Inspired to Strength in Boston

Photo of the Field of Cradles/"I Gave You Words" display at the first annual Boston Promise Walk for Preeclampsia in July 2011.

Strength.

Courage.

Self empowerment.

This is the message that first time coordinator Stacy Vallely hopes participants will come away with from the second annual Boston Promise Walk for Preeclampsia.

Stacy was a participant in last year’s Promise Walk for Preeclampsia after her son spent 86 days in the NICU when Stacy developed preeclampsia at 28 weeks.  He was just 2 lbs and 2 oz at birth.  Stacy was moved by the other survivors she heard from that day, the knowledge she gained from an expert at the event and touched by the beauty of the butterfly release.

This year, as coordinator, she hopes the activities and tone of the day are uplifting and inspire others to take on the fight against preeclampsia.  Events at the May 6th Boston Promise Walk include speakers, a moment to remember those lost and survivors, children’s games led by the Life is Good Playmakers, a raffle, face painting and more!

To register for the walk, which is at Castle Island Park, go to www.promisewalk.org/boston.  Registration is $20 for adults and $10 for children.  Registration the day of the walk increases to $25 for adults.  For more information, contact Stacy Vallely at stacy.vallely@gmail.com.