A Mothers Love: August 2011

Tenley Grace Zitting was born July 21, 2011 at 1:52 pm. I started having contractions on the friday before she was born that we're coming every two minutes and figured this wasn't normal for me since I was only 26 weeks pregnant. So I went into the hospital and they ran tests and gave me shots to stop the contractions. They came back saying I had a UTI and that it was causing the contractions. I explained to them that I didn't believe it was a UTI because I was having no symptoms. Well of course the doctor thought I was wrong and sent me home. The contractions we're back the next day so again I went into labor and delivery and they monitored me and said it was a UTI. I just wasn't buying that it was a UTI and I knew something wasn't right but once again they sent me home. Sunday came around and the contractions we're only getting stronger and closer so I finally decided to go to another hospital. So I went to IMC on sunday afternoon around 4pm. I got there and they immediately had a resident see me and they did an ultrasound. I could tell something was wrong with the look on the residents face and she said she would be right back. Then the high risk doctor on call came in and continued the ultrasound and then a hard blow came at us. She informed us that Tenley had a sacrococcygeal teratoma (fancy name for a tumor on her bottom) and that is was quite large. She informed us that they would be sending me to the U of U hospital by ambulance and we would be meeting with a high risk team. Louie and I both completely lost it at this point. I couldn't believe my little baby girl had a tumor and they would have to deliver her within the week. We got to the U of U hospital and immediately had doctor after doctor coming in to talk to us about this tumor. They informed us that they would be monitoring her and doing ultrasounds every morning until we delivered. Well Tenley was such a little trooper and was constantly moving and kicking around. Thursday came and I was having problems breathing and was getting really swollen. They informed me that my body was mimicking Tenley's body and they needed to do some blood work and x-rays. The blood work and x-rays came back quickly and the doctors came in the room and informed me that my blood was low and I had fluid around my lungs and that today was going to be the day. They gave me a blood transfusion that took about two hours then it was off to the c- section. They took me back at about 1:15 to prep me and delivered miss Tenley at 1:52pm. They said that we wouldn't hear her cry in the delivery room but she let out three little cries. They took her straight to NICU and started stabilizing her since she was 13 weeks early. Unfortunately during delivery her tumor ruptured and she was bleeding internally. They ran her over to primary children's and started surgery and continued to try and stabilize her. Around 4:30 pm we got the worst call of our lives they had done everything they could but she didn't make it. Tenley Grace passed away at 4:16 pm on July 21, 2011. She brought so much love into the lives of so many people and brought so many people together. I love my Little Angel so much and I miss her more than words can express.