Aiden Thomas
This site started as a baby blog, where we documented our pregnancy and those things related to it. We documented our medical care, our emotions and whatever else seemed interesting to us, including naming the baby.
Aiden Thomas was born December 10th, 2004 by emergency c-section at 10:46 am. As with the birth of any child, our lives changed forever at that moment. However, our lives changed in ways we never anticipated.
Due to placental abruption, Aiden was without enough oxygen for an unknown length of time. When he was born, he was not breathing, and had no pulse. They were able to revive him and brought him directly to the ISCU. Aiden had seisures and was given medication to help prevent them from recurring. This medication can cause the rest of the systems to slow down, so they kept him on a respirator and feeding tubes until they were sure that the risk of seisure has passed. Aiden’s system never showed any recovery from this depression. After additional tests, it was determined that Aiden’s brain function was almost non-existant. The prognosis was that the best we could ever hope for is that he would be able to breathe without a respirator. He would never speak, never walk, never eat without a feeding tube. He would spend his entire life dependant on machines. Our options were to leave him on the respirator, and force him to live as part of machines; or to let him go.
On December 15th, 2004, after Aiden had met all of his Grandparents and his two uncles, we removed the respirator, and spent four hours alone with our son. We told him about the world, the people who loved him, and how much we would miss him. He was amazingly strong. Even though, his lungs could not give him the oxygen he needed, his heart kept beating for four hours. Those 4 hours and those 5 days were more precious than anyone who has not been in this situation could possibly know.
Thank you, Aiden, for blessing our lives with every minute you could give us. We miss you every day, and are still learning from you.
We love you.
I just wanted to say what a powerful lesson in life you write about. Whether you know it or not, your post is a reflection of an entire life and how precious it is. My niece was born on December 10th as well. Although she is blessed with no health problems, it is still touching to hear what you have been through. Aiden is with you, more than you know, and will be forever. May God bless you in everything you do.
Comment by Chris — 3/21/2005 @ 11:53 am
I’m so sorry your precious Aiden is not with you. I too have a similar story. My son, Aiden also, died while still inside me due to a placenta abruption - I was only 29 weeks and 6 days pregnant with him. He unfortunately never took a breathe outside of my womb. He was born January 9, 2005. I know the pain you feel all too well. I wish things were different for the both of us. I can only pray that with time our pain will ease and our hearts will again be filled with joy.
Comment by Carol — 11/25/2005 @ 2:03 am
My heart is with you both .. I found your pages when looking for information about pregnancy for my daughter. The first few lines touched my soul and I stayed to read more. This is the most loving tribute, I have seen on the net in the 15 years I have been online.
My grandson turned 5 in Feb 2006 … I can’t imagin what our lives would have been with out him … But there was a time … When he was 18 months old, he had tests that showed a stroke, which they say happened at birth. He was in the birth canal to long, and was delivered by emergancy c-section. The stroke left him no strength in the right arm and leg, and a major speech problem. He does talk pretty good now, and walkes with a bad limp. He has had surgery on his right foot and ankle, because the joint was stiff and his foot wouldn’t sit flat … his doctors helped him get into the public school system … HISD …when he turned 3 … to help with speech and motor skills. We all know the blessing he is in our lives every day… and we all know that we could have lost him those 7 days he was in the ICU after he was born … on all those machines …
Comment by MaryJane Arrisola — 6/29/2006 @ 1:57 pm
I happened upon your website when our own Aiden Thomas was born 2 months early on August 27, 2005. My daughter Meghan was suffering from a severe case of pre-eclampsia and her doctors made the tough decision to bring our little guy into this world early. He was just under 4 lbs and his lungs were not quite ready. Thanks to a wonderful medical team in our hospital Aiden Thomas got stronger and was finally able to come home to join our family. After 9 months he was able to be weaned off the heart monitor and is now a happy, healthy almost one year old.
When I read about your Aiden I cried and still think about him when I remember our own Aiden in my prayers. My heart goes out to you and your family because I can’t imagine anything more heart breaking than losing our precious baby. Thank you so much for sharing your story with me.
Comment by Laurie — 8/15/2006 @ 11:22 am
Hello. Tonight I was looking up my sons name on google- Aidan Thomas Lay, and saw your story. My son was also snatched away from my wife and I this year, and we understand your pain. May you find peace. We are thinking of you.
Comment by jason — 10/21/2006 @ 7:50 am
I cried when I read your story. I felt only but a fraction of the immense pain you must have experienced in this. I want to pray for you right now.
Lord, Jesus, you know the pain and hurt that these parents experienced. Only you know why. May your peace, comfort, and plan for their life be made more apparent now and in the time to come. Pour out your love, grace, and revelation into their lives and all the others that read this. Lift them up to encourage and touch other people that have been through various pains. Left them be a light that shines through darkest valley ever imagined. In your hands we rest Jesus, Amen.
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