My name is Mandy Riddle and I am one of the admins for this page. I am the mother of 2 premature babies, Brandon who was born at 28 weeks and Olivia who was born at 26 weeks. I want to take the time now to share my stories with everyone. Brandon's story: My water broke with Brandon at 24 weeks. I was taken to Altoona Hospital in Altoona, Pa where they decided it was best to transfer me to Conemau
gh Hospital in Johnstown, Pa. After my arrival to Conemaugh, they did an ultrasound and determined that I had no amniotic fluid and was in labor. Dr Adib Khouzami gave me medication to stop my labor and started steroid shots for Brandon's lungs. I was put on strict bed rest and was only permitted up to use the bathroom and to shower (which I had to sit down to take). On November 5, 2005, I was already in the hospital for a month and started having extreme back pain. I was put on the monitors but nothing showed up. Everyone just figured it was from being in bed for a month straight. A little after 11pm I got up to use the bathroom before going to bed. When I did, Brandon's cord prolapsed. I buzzed for the nurse who came running in and immediately paged Dr. Khouzami. I got lucky. Just as the nurse was paging him, he and the anesthesiologist were walking in the door from another delivery. I was taken to another room where an ultrasound was done. It showed that the cord was wrapped around Brandon's neck and was also being pinched under his shoulder, he also had no heartbeat. I was taken for an emergency c-section where they came across another problem, they couldn't get a vein for an IV. After 8 tries, they were finally able to get an IV started on me and attempted to put me under. Apparently I had other plans. The anesthesia wasn't working and a nurse had to put me in a choker hold to knock me out. Brandon was born stillborn weighing 1 pound, 13 ounces at 0021 on November 6, 2005. The doctor was able to resuscitate Brandon with CPR and adrenaline and he was sent to the RICN in Conemaugh Hospital. Brandon spent a total of 58 days in the NICU, was resuscitated another time and received 2 blood transfusions. Brandon is now a healthy 8 year old boy with no major health problems. Olivia's Story: I found out I was pregnant with twins on November 3, 2013 when I went to Altoona Hospital complaining of severe abdominal pain. I was taken back to Altoona Hospital on November 11, 2013 due to bleeding. After spending a few hours in the ER, they determined that I had what is called "vanishing twin". One of the babies had passed away and my body absorbed it. Starting at 17 weeks, I starting receiving weekly 17p shots to help prevent another premature birth. Everything seemed to be going smoothly until the beginning of March when I was admitted to Conemaugh Hospital with high blood pressure. I was monitored overnight and released the next day. I was then admitted back to Conemaugh Hospital on March 18, 2014 with high blood pressure. It was determined that I had severe pre-eclampsia and HELLP Syndrome. I was again given the steroid shots, 2 different blood pressure medications, magnesium and prenatal vitamins. I started rapidly gaining weight and was eventually given a catheter. My blood was drawn every 12 hours and got worse each time. On March 24, 2014 I started having breathing problems and was required to wear oxygen to sleep. By March 26, 2014, my liver was very enlarged and painful and my kidneys were not functioning normally. Dr. Khouzami came into my room on the morning of March 27, 2014 with my blood work results. He said "Amanda, we need to deliver today at 1:00pm. If we don't, I'm afraid you will not see tomorrow". I was given morphine and other medications all day until it was time to be shaved and given an epidural. I don't remember much from my c-section, just that I told my boyfriend, Chuck to make sure I am awake when she is born. Next thing I know, I felt a giant tug and heard the tiniest little cry. Olivia was born at 1:11pm on March 27 weighing 1 pound, 6 ounces. The doctors and nurses got Olivia cleaned up and put into an incubator and then wheeled her over so I could see her. I got one good look and passed out. She was then taken to the RICN. She started out very strong and was stable. The nurses even joked by saying she was like a 35 weeker in a 26 weeker's body. By day 4 she was on room air with 3% oxygen. She continued to gain strength and had her feedings increased everyday. Then, on April 7th, 2014, I got the call that no mother wants to get. I was told that Olivia was sick with an infection and not doing too well. I got to the hospital around 11am and just sat there looking at her all day. She was now intubated, had a PICC line and was receiving a blood transfusion. She didn't look like herself at all. She got worse as the day went but at one point when I was talking to her, she managed to crack a little smile which I will always remember. Chuck and I left the hospital around 5pm when they said she was stable. We received another call around 9pm saying she got a lot worse and they were having her transported to Pittsburgh Children's Hospital via Guardian Angel EMS. We arrived back at the hospital around 11pm where we were asked to wait in the waiting room while Children's Hospital's neonatologist did his work. We were then taken into an office and told what no parents want to ever hear, "Olivia has passed away". Those words will never leave me. We were able to bathe her, cloth her and hold her for a few hours before going home to grieve. We had a funeral for her in Ashville, Pa and had her cremated. Her urn sits in our living room where we can see it everyday. Olivia may have been only 12 days old but she impacted a lot of people.
