Happy Birthday

[gunnyd]

Thought I would share with the TV members. On November 24th @ 1800

My lovely wife went into labor 14 weeks early, and the doctors were unable to stop the contractions. At Vejthani Hospital our triplets were born, much too soon and much too small. Fortunately she was able to get steroids to help mature the lungs of our babies before an emergency C-section was performed.

First born: Maria Alferez 670 grams

Second: Robert Alferez 830 grams

Third: Angela Jean 380 grams. Unfortunately she was born much too small and succumbed on December 4th @ 0130. Rest my angel

As of today Maria is recovering from a small IVH (Intraventricular Hemorrhage) and a nasty E Coli infection.

Robert is doing well and off of the ventilator.

Me and the Mrs. have 3 months of worry to look forward to. They have an excellent staff and did everything they could for Angela, but she was too small.

If there is anyone with no insurance coverage in LOS and dealt with hospital bill they simply could not pay, please post or send me a PM. It is running 100000-150000 a day for their care and we are almost out of money. I do not know the Thai law about necessary medical care. In the US and I assume most developed countries medical care can not be withheld because of the patients inability to pay. I have crunched the numbers and I figure it will be 10 million before they will be ready leave the hospital. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

We are in between horrible crushing grief over Angela's death, and hope combined with worry for Maria and Robert.

Edited December 6, 2008 by gunnyd

[Boo]

what a rollercoaster you have been both been through.

Congratulations on the arrivals of all 3 precious babies & my sincerest sympathy for the loss of baby Angela Jean.

I will be praying that Robert & Maria grow stronger each day.

I can't offer any advice on the bill I'm afraid but have you discussed the situation with the hospital yet? They may be able to put a re-payment plan in place for you as I can't believe that they would tell you to move the babies in their current conditions.

Again, congratulations to you & your wife, be strong for each other & your beautiful babies.

[philo]

I am sorry for you - when I read and see this, all my problems seem insignificant.

Bless all three of them.

[misterman21]

Congratulations! I really wish everything goes well for you all -

PS I really thing a little pray from all the tv members will help - you have mine!

Edited December 7, 2008 by misterman21

[gunnyd]

what a rollercoaster you have been both been through.

Congratulations on the arrivals of all 3 precious babies & my sincerest sympathy for the loss of baby Angela Jean.

I will be praying that Robert & Maria grow stronger each day.

I can't offer any advice on the bill I'm afraid but have you discussed the situation with the hospital yet? They may be able to put a re-payment plan in place for you as I can't believe that they would tell you to move the babies in their current conditions.

Again, congratulations to you & your wife, be strong for each other & your beautiful babies.

TY to all

Yes I have let the hospital know about our financial situation. I managed to talk to the head of billing and one of the members of the board of directors who told us not to worry about the money. I haven't seen anything in writing but the bills I have gotten have been heavily discounted.

They have taken an interest in our case and have had what I think is their Public Relations department in taking pictures and video. I have already told to big boss that we would be happy to provide a good word for the hospital and staff, TV, print etc. I am 50/50 on the money situation. Mainly because of the bills they bring around periodically. We are up to around 1.5 million between the delivery and NICU care. Hopefully when I say "No Mas" and let them know that I only have enough left for our food and rent, they will be accommodating.

Frankly I have no problem signing my life away on a payment plan. No amount of monetary value can be put on the lives of my son and daughter. The only rub I can see is how can they re-coop their money if I decided to not pay after we return home. I don't know the legalities when it comes to collecting from foreign patients after they have left LOS.

On the brighter side, Robert is doing well getting milk from his mum, and very active. He is off of the vent and on a CPAP (Continuous Positive Air Pressure) machine so he doesn't get too tired from breathing, and only needs to occasionally be reminded to breath. Preemies commonly have apnea (where they stop breathing for 20 seconds or more) and usually parents are sent home with a monitor.

And Maria is on the lowest setting of the ventilator, her infection seems to be in check, and she has been started back on mums milk to simulate her bowels and later to put some meat on those bones.

The staff is really great here. Even though the nurses don't speak much English, they do a wonderful job. And our babies doctor Dr. Wimol a Neonatologist seems to be on duty every time we go see our babies. She is really working her butt off.

Keeping a stiff upper lip and praying for the best,

Darrell

[mizzi39]

Congratulations gunnyd and sorry for your loss. I am sure that you and the misses will sort it out. Keep you in my thoughts.

[Mossfinn]

Hello Darrell,

What a very bitter-sweet moment for you and your wife, I am sorry for your loss, but you have two bundles of joy as well.

I will light a candle for Robert and Maria and Angela.

Moss

[gunnyd]

They are fighting it out here's a little video.

Thanks for all the good words and prayers.

Darrell

Edited December 8, 2008 by gunnyd

[Lite Beer]

Darrell. My Wife and Myself send the four of you our Love .

[Patsycat]

Prayers and love also, from Switzerland.

[soundman]

Really feeling for what you are going through Darell. Sometimes things just are not fair.

Thoughts and wishes for you, wife, Robert & Maria. Please plant a tree in memory of Angela.

[Aijin]

Best wishes to you and the family. My heart goes out to you for your loss. Very sad story and hope everything works out for the best. You deserve happiness after this crises.

[torrenova]

I can't imagine the stress you are under. We wish you all well and you have our deepest sympathy for your loss. It just makes us so grateful that we did not have problems when our daughter was born.

[gunnyd]

They let us hold our babies tonight!

Robert the lady killer:

Mum and Robert:

Dad and Maria:

Mum and Dad with Maria and Robert

If you would like to see our photo album Click Here

Thank you all for you thoughts and prayers. I really believe it helps

Darrell

[littlemama]

They let us hold our babies tonight!

Robert the lady killer:

Mum and Robert:

Dad and Maria:

Mum and Dad with Maria and Robert

If you would like to see our photo album Click Here

Thank you all for you thoughts and prayers. I really believe it helps

Darrell

I feel so excited to see and hear...as i am 32 weeks pregnant for now...

You have through a lot.. but it is really worth that your wife is doing good and babies are getting better...I wish you all the best!