Tuesday, July 1, 2008
A Brother Like No Other!
The day that Hayden got to meet his little brother was one that I will never forget. It was about 10 days after Camden was born and Hayden was a little nervouse about going to see him for the first time. As we entered the NICU room, Hayden asked "which one is ours?" I pointed over to the bed by the window and he just smiled. As we approached Camden and saw all his gadgets, Hayden got even more nervous. We reassured him that it was ok to touch him and that he would be better soon. Still hayden was reluctant and started with a kiss on the toes, then slowly worked his way up to his face. After realizing that this was his little brother, he got more comfortable. He leaned in to kiss Camdens cheek, and instead he started to say a prayer in his little ear... I heard "Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for my brother Camden and help him get better soon....." before I completely broke down in tears. I was so proud that Hayden felt he should do that and that he knew how. What beautiful boys we have. They will make great missionaries someday.
Posted by Stokes Family at 11:30 PM 6 comments
INTRODUCING....
CAMDEN SCOTT STOKESJune 3rd, 20086lbs 14 oz20 inches
Posted by Stokes Family at 11:00 PM 3 comments
Monday, June 30, 2008
CAMDEN'S STORY
As many of you may already know, our sweet baby Camden was born on June 3rd, 2008. He was born with TEF, an undetectable birth defect that affects the trachea and esophagus. He had to undergo emergency surgery and spent his first 2 weeks at Primary Children's Medical Center. Here's his miraculous story......My last few weeks of pregnancy with Camden, I was very, very uncomfortable. There were days when I couldn't even walk and the pain was so bad it would drop me to my knees. So... after many trips to labor and delivery and an "almost" emergency C-section my doctor (who, I LOVE!) decided that since the baby was measuring a week and a half big, he would do everything he could do to relieve me of my misery! So he scheduled an amniocentesis for the 3rd at 9 am to check if the baby's lungs were developed enough to deliver. Scott and I went and amazingly, I was so calm and I wasn't nervous at all-which isn't like me! I am normally a scarety cat and a bawl baby! But today was different, and I had no idea what was coming right for us. The procedure was painless and very quick, not what you would think having a 7 inch needle being poked through your belly! We got a call from Dr. Kammeyer's office later that afternoon saying that the test revealed that the lungs were ready and that we were to be back at the hospital that afternoon to have our baby!! We were so excited and couldn't wait to meet him!Scott and I arrived at Ogden Regional around 3 pm and they got us all ready for our C-section. We finally got wheeled into the operating room at around 7:30 that night and Camden was born at 8:01 pm. As they delivered him I heard his beautiful loud scream and was so grateful that his lungs were indeed very much developed. Little did we know that our world was about to change as Camden entered the transitional nursery. Scott was by my side and he asked me what I wanted him to do, so I asked him to go be with Camden, while they finished sewing me up. After a while Scott came back and told me that he was having a hard time breathing and they thought his lungs were wet from not having gone through the birth canal, they assured us it was normal and that they would suction him out and have him to us as quick as possible. After they finished with me, they wheeled me back to my room, but Camden was not with me, nor was Scott. A nurse in the transitional nursery made the call to send Cam to the NICU, where they discovered his condition. A few hours went by and Scott was with me in my room when I asked him to go down to the NICU to see what was taking so long and to find out if everything was OK. He returned about 30 minutes later and by the look on his face, I knew something was terribly wrong. I asked him what was going on, and he wouldn't answer me. I asked again and again, until finally he said "Camden's got a birth defect, his esophagus never connected to his stomach." I was in complete shock. I remember saying "No, no, no no! How can this be?" Scott continued to tell me that the Life Flight crew was coming to transport my sweet little baby boy to Primary Children's. I was devastated, and it wasn't until then that I realized the severity of his condition. Scott then had to make the decision on whether to stay with me in Ogden or go with our son to Salt Lake. I asked him to go with Camden, so he wouldn't be alone. I called my mom, and she was on the next flight to SLC. She spent the next 5 days with me and took great care of Hayden while we attended to Cam.As the Life Flight crew was walking out with Camden, Scott asked them if they could stop by my room so I could see my son for the first time. I will never forget that moment. He was in an incubator type thing on a stretcher and the crew moved my bed so I could touch him. He was so beautiful and looked so perfect. I had to say hello, and goodbye all at once, and at that moment I could feel my heart break. As they left the room, I felt so alone and scared for what was about to come. I knew that my son, only hours old was about to have a major, life saving surgery. It scared me to death. I had many visitors at the hospital and I want to thank all of you who came to see me. I remember Debbie Murray walking through the door of my hospital room , and thinking that she looked like an angel. I was so glad to see a familiar face and knew that the ward was praying for our sweet baby boy. As the days went on, Scott spent every second with Camden. He called to tell me that the surgery was a success and that now, it was all recovery. I was released from the hospital on Friday the 6th and went straight to Primary's. I couldn't wait to see my little boy. As I entered the NICU, I saw him over by the window. He was just as beautiful as I remembered, and I couldn't wait to kiss his head. As I got closer, I could see all the tubes, probes, IV's, bandages that covered his tiny little body. I again, could feel my heart break. I was so confused and sad at why this had happened to our family. I then realized that our sweet baby knew that his body was not going to be perfect and he chose it anyway. He is such a valiant spirit and I know he is destined for great things. The road to his recovery was expected to take approximately 4-6 weeks, but with many, many prayers , his name in many temples across the US, and the care, love and encouragement from the staff at Primary Children's, our sweet baby was discharged from the hospital after only 13 days. We met some incredible nurses and doctors there and knew that the few hours a day that we couldn't be there with him, that he was in good care. He is a miracle. And I thank Heavenly Father each day for him. It seemed that each day, a tube came out, or a probe came off. He improved drastically everyday. I am forever grateful for all the prayers and support given to us by our family, friends and perfect strangers. This miracle could not have happened if it weren't for all of you. Every time I left his side I felt like I had been beat up. It was so emotionally exhausting. But as I looked around there were so many people who had it much worse than us. We needed to count our blessings, and be grateful that we had light at the end of our tunnel. I must have walked in and out of those NICU doors a thousand times, and on the last day that we were there, I noticed a sign on the door that said " In life, you get the lesson and then the test, but sometimes you get the test, then the lesson." How completely true. We got our test first and then our lesson. Our lesson was about faith, hope, prayer and an undying truth in the gospel of Jesus Christ. It has strengthened my testimony more than I thought possible. I thought my roots were so firmly implanted into the ground, but then it was like someone poured concrete around my roots. I know that the priesthood saved my son, and I know that the prayers from around the nation for our little boy were answered. Thanks again to everyone who had a part in his recovery. We love you all , Scott & Sami
A Brother Like No Other!
The day that Hayden got to meet his little brother was one that I will never forget. It was about 10 days after Camden was born and Hayden was a little nervouse about going to see him for the first time. As we entered the NICU room, Hayden asked "which one is ours?" I pointed over to the bed by the window and he just smiled. As we approached Camden and saw all his gadgets, Hayden got even more nervous. We reassured him that it was ok to touch him and that he would be better soon. Still hayden was reluctant and started with a kiss on the toes, then slowly worked his way up to his face. After realizing that this was his little brother, he got more comfortable. He leaned in to kiss Camdens cheek, and instead he started to say a prayer in his little ear... I heard "Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for my brother Camden and help him get better soon....." before I completely broke down in tears. I was so proud that Hayden felt he should do that and that he knew how. What beautiful boys we have. They will make great missionaries someday.
Posted by Stokes Family at 11:30 PM 6 comments
INTRODUCING....
CAMDEN SCOTT STOKESJune 3rd, 20086lbs 14 oz20 inches
Posted by Stokes Family at 11:00 PM 3 comments
Monday, June 30, 2008
CAMDEN'S STORY
As many of you may already know, our sweet baby Camden was born on June 3rd, 2008. He was born with TEF, an undetectable birth defect that affects the trachea and esophagus. He had to undergo emergency surgery and spent his first 2 weeks at Primary Children's Medical Center. Here's his miraculous story......My last few weeks of pregnancy with Camden, I was very, very uncomfortable. There were days when I couldn't even walk and the pain was so bad it would drop me to my knees. So... after many trips to labor and delivery and an "almost" emergency C-section my doctor (who, I LOVE!) decided that since the baby was measuring a week and a half big, he would do everything he could do to relieve me of my misery! So he scheduled an amniocentesis for the 3rd at 9 am to check if the baby's lungs were developed enough to deliver. Scott and I went and amazingly, I was so calm and I wasn't nervous at all-which isn't like me! I am normally a scarety cat and a bawl baby! But today was different, and I had no idea what was coming right for us. The procedure was painless and very quick, not what you would think having a 7 inch needle being poked through your belly! We got a call from Dr. Kammeyer's office later that afternoon saying that the test revealed that the lungs were ready and that we were to be back at the hospital that afternoon to have our baby!! We were so excited and couldn't wait to meet him!Scott and I arrived at Ogden Regional around 3 pm and they got us all ready for our C-section. We finally got wheeled into the operating room at around 7:30 that night and Camden was born at 8:01 pm. As they delivered him I heard his beautiful loud scream and was so grateful that his lungs were indeed very much developed. Little did we know that our world was about to change as Camden entered the transitional nursery. Scott was by my side and he asked me what I wanted him to do, so I asked him to go be with Camden, while they finished sewing me up. After a while Scott came back and told me that he was having a hard time breathing and they thought his lungs were wet from not having gone through the birth canal, they assured us it was normal and that they would suction him out and have him to us as quick as possible. After they finished with me, they wheeled me back to my room, but Camden was not with me, nor was Scott. A nurse in the transitional nursery made the call to send Cam to the NICU, where they discovered his condition. A few hours went by and Scott was with me in my room when I asked him to go down to the NICU to see what was taking so long and to find out if everything was OK. He returned about 30 minutes later and by the look on his face, I knew something was terribly wrong. I asked him what was going on, and he wouldn't answer me. I asked again and again, until finally he said "Camden's got a birth defect, his esophagus never connected to his stomach." I was in complete shock. I remember saying "No, no, no no! How can this be?" Scott continued to tell me that the Life Flight crew was coming to transport my sweet little baby boy to Primary Children's. I was devastated, and it wasn't until then that I realized the severity of his condition. Scott then had to make the decision on whether to stay with me in Ogden or go with our son to Salt Lake. I asked him to go with Camden, so he wouldn't be alone. I called my mom, and she was on the next flight to SLC. She spent the next 5 days with me and took great care of Hayden while we attended to Cam.As the Life Flight crew was walking out with Camden, Scott asked them if they could stop by my room so I could see my son for the first time. I will never forget that moment. He was in an incubator type thing on a stretcher and the crew moved my bed so I could touch him. He was so beautiful and looked so perfect. I had to say hello, and goodbye all at once, and at that moment I could feel my heart break. As they left the room, I felt so alone and scared for what was about to come. I knew that my son, only hours old was about to have a major, life saving surgery. It scared me to death. I had many visitors at the hospital and I want to thank all of you who came to see me. I remember Debbie Murray walking through the door of my hospital room , and thinking that she looked like an angel. I was so glad to see a familiar face and knew that the ward was praying for our sweet baby boy. As the days went on, Scott spent every second with Camden. He called to tell me that the surgery was a success and that now, it was all recovery. I was released from the hospital on Friday the 6th and went straight to Primary's. I couldn't wait to see my little boy. As I entered the NICU, I saw him over by the window. He was just as beautiful as I remembered, and I couldn't wait to kiss his head. As I got closer, I could see all the tubes, probes, IV's, bandages that covered his tiny little body. I again, could feel my heart break. I was so confused and sad at why this had happened to our family. I then realized that our sweet baby knew that his body was not going to be perfect and he chose it anyway. He is such a valiant spirit and I know he is destined for great things. The road to his recovery was expected to take approximately 4-6 weeks, but with many, many prayers , his name in many temples across the US, and the care, love and encouragement from the staff at Primary Children's, our sweet baby was discharged from the hospital after only 13 days. We met some incredible nurses and doctors there and knew that the few hours a day that we couldn't be there with him, that he was in good care. He is a miracle. And I thank Heavenly Father each day for him. It seemed that each day, a tube came out, or a probe came off. He improved drastically everyday. I am forever grateful for all the prayers and support given to us by our family, friends and perfect strangers. This miracle could not have happened if it weren't for all of you. Every time I left his side I felt like I had been beat up. It was so emotionally exhausting. But as I looked around there were so many people who had it much worse than us. We needed to count our blessings, and be grateful that we had light at the end of our tunnel. I must have walked in and out of those NICU doors a thousand times, and on the last day that we were there, I noticed a sign on the door that said " In life, you get the lesson and then the test, but sometimes you get the test, then the lesson." How completely true. We got our test first and then our lesson. Our lesson was about faith, hope, prayer and an undying truth in the gospel of Jesus Christ. It has strengthened my testimony more than I thought possible. I thought my roots were so firmly implanted into the ground, but then it was like someone poured concrete around my roots. I know that the priesthood saved my son, and I know that the prayers from around the nation for our little boy were answered. Thanks again to everyone who had a part in his recovery. We love you all , Scott & Sami
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