Arms of an Angel
Diagnosis: Pentalogy of Cantrell
By Kendal Mae's Mother
We found out I was pregnant September 25, 2010. I was 6 and a half weeks pregnant. We were so happy. We couldn't stop smiling.
A few weeks later we got to hear our daughters heart beat. It was 157 beats per minute. It brought tears to our eyes just knowing a few
months down the road we would be holding our precious baby girl. The doctors scheduled a vaginal ultrasound a few weeks later. During that
ultrasound was the happiest moment of our lives. Our baby was stretching and moving all around. The doctor told us we had a very active
baby.
Then she noticed something. By the look on her face we knew it wasn't good. We were told our baby had a very rare and very serious
disorder called Pentalogy of Cantrell. Her internal organs were growing outside of her body. We couldn't believe what we were being told.
How could this be? I was taking care of myself, taking my prenatal vitamins and eating healthy. Did we do something wrong? Why us? Please
tell me this is a nightmare.
The doctor told me I had 3 choices. The first was to wait and see if I had a miscarriage, deliver a still born or have an abortion. I do
not believe in abortions so that was out of the picture. We went home and did some research. This really was a very serious disorder. Hardly
any babies have survived this. If I delivered Kendal she would know nothing but pain and suffering.
I was told if I deliver her I would have 2 options. The first was when she was born they would wrap her up and take her to Children's
hospital and do everything they could for her. My second option was to hold her and cherish every second we have with her until she passed.
That isn't fair. Why do we have to make such difficult decision? Our baby meant the world to us.
January 4, 2011 I had to have an abortion. I was 21 weeks pregnant. I had The baby bump, my breasts were filled with milk and I had to
go through this horrible ordeal. As I was laying on the cold table in that white room the only thing running through my mind was, "Dear God,
please tell my baby I am sorry. I did this because we love her and we want what is best for her. No child deserves to suffer." Only a few
months have passed and it is so hard to look at her pictures. We miss her so much. One day we will meet again. One day.
Mommy and Daddy love and miss you with all of our heart. Now you are in the arms of an angel.