The Doobie Brothers song, Long Train Running, became the soundtrack and mantra for the birth of our son. There was a documentary about the Doobie Brothers that we watched in the hospital after his birth and that particular song just worked its way into our subconscious. The question kept repeating: Without love, where would you be now? Through the long cold steel tracks of life that long train running brings us many places, but without love, where would we be now?
A week after the blessed birth of our son Aeden I became very ill and had to be hospitalized for 4 days due to a partially retained placenta. A fever developed that shot to 104 F and I lost so much blood that I was on watch for cardiac arrest and needed two blood transfusions, an iron infusion, IV antibiotics and a surgery under general anesthesia.
Lots of pokes, tests and prods
After some very scary moments on the line between this world and the next, we are now hopeful that we are in the clear and that my condition has improved. I am recuperating currently and finally have had a chance to give an update. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the village that came together behind the scenes to help our little family through this very rough time. If it weren’t for this crew of amazing people, I am not sure how we would have made it through.
First of all, thank you Britton for being there in the “sickness” part of sickness and in health. You have been extremely strong through this period that could break most people. I love you so, so much.
Britton is a great dad!
Thank you Missy, Ben, and even little Juliana for taking in a newborn, our precious baby, feeding him and loving him when we could not have him. Not many people would open their homes and hearts in such a way. Thank you to Missy for also rallying the troops for even more help. She kept us in communication, checked on us, provided us with supplies and so many other things. I do not know what we would have done without you when we were desperate standing at the emergency room door and they wouldn’t let Britton and I enter with our baby.
With Missy and Ben (and little Lucia)
Thank you to Megan and Kat who nourished us and our baby and provided us with extra breast milk when we had none. Thank you for everything else you did behind the scenes. Thank you to the fairy sprites Joanne and Francine (who I still have yet to meet) for cleaning our house and providing us with food and encouraging words. Thank you Jo for also making sure I made it to the hospital and making a special trip for the breast pump. After our ordeal it was so nice to walk into a clean house rather than the disaster we had left it when we rushed off.
Thank you to Ricia for washing our clothes and linens as well as the food and other supplies that have helped in my recovery. Thank you to Laura for the visits to the hospital, the food and the supplies we forgot in the hustle and bustle (like towels and pillows). Thank you to my family especially my mom Charlotte and aunt Annie who flew a long, long way to see me and make sure that I was alright. Thank you to Bill and Jenn for being in constant contact with us, the hospital visits and the smorgasbord of food when I was finished with surgery and doped up on morphine. Thank you to Brittany, Missy’s long distance ER doctor friend, who walked us through the steps and urged us into action or calmed us when it wasn’t needed. Thank you also to my friend Lisa who is a nurse and also encouraged me to seek medial help. Thank you to the medical staff at Mayaguez Medical Center. Thank you to the nameless people who donated the life-saving blood.
Blood transfusion
Thank you to Britton’s side of the family and everyone who wished us well and prayed for my recovery. I felt very loved in my darkest moments. Please forgive me if I missed someone in this list; it was quite the whirlwind. But know that you are appreciated! We may not have village tribes per se anymore in our modern world, but this was a shining example of the power of love when people come together to help one another. Without love, I don’t know where I would be right now, but it is possible my train may have stopped. So, thank you, thank you, thank you!
Back at home recovering and bonding with our baby
Love u cassie glad everything is coming together now ❤❤
Cassie,
I’m your mom’s friend and you don’t even know how many people were praying for you. There were so many prayer chains going and even prisoners at the Colorado correctional facility we’re all praying for you. Glad you are okay! Enjoy that cute baby!
We all love you!
Awe…..Above all else, I am so glad you are ok <3 After talking to you about what was happening, I prayed that you would hear my words, and seek help. I am so glad you did <3 Take care of yourself as you heal. I am glad you have a lot of support. Enjoy your sweet baby boy! Life is precious, and so is Aeden. XOXO
Wow Cassie, you are a brave amazing mother🌺 muchos bendiciones a tu familia!
I knew you had this cassie. I’ve known you since we were little girls. U went from looking for your glasses while they were actually on your face (lol) to the total life transplant you achieved as of current. But for Britton! No doubt the strength and love and support you generated was felt by cassie even when you didn’t think it was possible. So much love and support from all around but the bond that brought the life combined from the two of you is surely the same bond that gave cassie the Wil she needed to carry through. To both of you, don’t ever forget the strength you hold in life together for each other and shower that upon your beautiful child so he can grow up with that same understanding of true love and complete soul mates. Love you all!
I am so glad that you are all right !!!! How scary ! Hopefully from now on you only get the good mommy-stuff ❤
What a terrifying experience, Cassie. So happy it’s all good now. We’re looking forward to celebrating life with you.
You really went through scary hell. So happy you have emerged victorious. No temperature now? It looks like we both have A + blood. Let me know if you ever need a donation when I’m in PR. I give blood every six weeks Stateside.
Looking forward to seeing you all in a few months.
Sooooo happy your much better, Cassie. It’s amazing what love and praying can do. Isn’t Christ wonderful? Congratulations and I pray for many blessings for your family.
Oh my Cassie, that sounds absolutely terrifying. I am grateful it turned out as it did and that you and Aeden are doing well and recovering. I wish you a speedy recovery, so that you can enjoy motherhood. Aeden is absolutely adorable.
Oh, my goodness, what a scary experience! I had not heard anything since your post of the birth and had just thought you both were having special bonding time with your beautiful baby. I cannot imagine what you’ve been through. What a wonderful tribe there is in Rincon, Bless them and Bless you both! So happy you are doing better now.
Wow, what a horrifying experience. You are for sure a strong survivor. Aeden is double blessed as we are to have you in our community. Now for your next song… Let the Good Times Roll… on and on and on. Holding you in my heart.
Love and prayers 💜🙏🏼
Thank God you are doing better! Much love to you all!!!
We literally had no idea what had happened to you. So glad you have such a warm and helpful community, and that your mom and aunt were able to get here to help out. We’re so happy you are recovering after such an ordeal. It looks like everything is settling down and you have a beautiful and healthy baby. If there’s anything we can do, please let us know.
Cassie
I am so relieved to hear that you are okay. I heard that Char and Anne were leaving and I was praying for all of you.
It sounds like you were in great hands with life-saving medical care and received lots of help and love from friends and family.
Enjoy your sweet son and give him a hug for me! There should be a box of love waiting at your PO box when you have time to pick it up.
I will look forward to hearing about all of your adventures as a family as Aeden grows.
Much love
Laura
p.s. I have A+ blood too if you ever need any in the future!
Cassie, rest! I know this is difficult to do with a new baby but you must rest. Women’s bodies are incredible and yours will regroup and bounce back quickly. You were healthy to begin with, not just physically but in mind and spirit. I will be in PR permanently on November 14th so you, Britton and baby Aeden are welcome to come to my home, we are just around the corner 😉 in Arecibo. We can grill for you or I can prepare some killer Indian or Mexican food. You can jump in the spa and relax. We even have an extra bedroom/bathroom if you don’t want to drive back. Take care mi hermana and REST!
Omg, what a terrifying experience! I am so happy you are doing better, what a story! I am sending much love your way, you & Britton will be amazing parents! Very thankful you are ok now, hope you enjoy your little one! Xoxoxo