Back to Daddy & Mommy’s Arm
Doctors finally allowed Samantha girl to go home on Monday, after 10 days being in Neonatal ICU. Thank you for all the prayers and concern for Samantha. And as I am writing this post, my little girl is sleeping peacefully. Praise the Lord!
After what Samantha’s had gone through, the doctor (a geneticist) diagnosed her with Inborn Error of Metabolism (IEM) in which she had Mitochondrial Disease. However further tests will be performed as she grows, to confirm this diagnosis. Right now, she has to be on long term vitamins to give her energy.
Here’s Baby Samantha’s miraculous story……
She was delivered via C-sect due to a breech position and weighing at 2.03kg. Apgar score was good and she looks like a normal healthy baby. Initially she was sucking well from the bottle but later towards the evening, pediatrician informed us that she was shivering and so she will be put in the incubator for the time being.
In the evening of the second day, she looks lethargic and was breathing rapidly with a pulse rate of 180+. Pediatrician stopped her feeding and put her on IV drip via her belly button in order for her to rest so to see if her condition will improve the next day.
In the morning of the third day, she was not getting much better but her condition deteriorated with very high acid level in the blood (pH 6.8 compared to normal pH 7.6). Pediatrician informed us that we need to send her to a bigger medical centre for further examination. He called all of the government hospitals and private medical centres but non are available to accept the patient. At last, without a choice, we ended up at Prince Court Medical Centre (PCMC) in the heart of KL city. We are aware of the higher medical charges but we rather not put the baby’s health at risk by waiting for another few hours or a day until we get a cheaper hospital. Pediatrician immediately arranged for the ambulance to transport baby Samantha in the incubator accompanied by Darling.
In the afternoon, I got myself discharged, one day earlier with my sisters’ help. Good thing that I was strong enough and had recuperated quite well from the C-sect. I never thought that I would be wheeled out from the hospital without my baby in my arm. I had to be strong to face every challenges and Darling and I knew that Samantha will be in good hands.
At PCMC, Samantha’s condition was quite severe. She was admitted due to severe metabolic acidosis. When the doctors briefed us on her condition, they sounded very unpromising if Samantha can make it through or if there is any brain damage. She was sedated with tubes and wires every where. Every second, every minutes, every hour and every stages that she is going through is like a battle you never know if you will win. But by faith, we prayed to God each time she goes through a procedures. That night was a painful and scary night for both Darling and I. We are very thankful and blessed that we have a group of doctors and nurses that are very caring, loving and sincere, that are willing to put in every might and effort to stabilize Samantha. Due to the severe acidosis, the doctors had to perform a blood exchange transfusion and peritoneal dialysis to remove as much acid as possible. The whole thing lasted until past midnight.
The next day and days after that was really amazing grace of God. Her acidosis level and pulse rate slowly improves. She fought strong and progressed very well for a tiny baby like her. It was a great joy seeing her getting well every day. Indeed God is good…all the time. Indeed God is watching over Samantha. Whilst she was in NICU, we whispered to her everyday that Jesus is holding her hands to walk through all these and she’s going to be fine. Amen!
And so here is our little girl on the day she was discharged from hospital. Tiny she is but the angel of our heart. We are still praying with faith that she would not suffer from any developmental delay, learning difficulties, physical handicaps, behavioral problems or sickness which could occur in babies affected by IEM.
2ma says:
oh baby samantha, i am glad to know you are finally home. it is so heart wrenching when i read about samantha’s condition. i guess the last 10 days has been the longest ever 10 days in your life. anyway, let’s pray that samantha will grow up healthily!!!
anggie says:
Hi .. lil samantha .. u r such a sweetie and we all glad u r back to home in daddy and mummy arm !!! praise the lord!!
chooi peng says:
she is a strong and pretty baby. pray for her.
chanelwong says:
She is very very strong little girl….
We will continue to keep her in prayer…..
Praise the Lord that she is back home now…..
rachel says:
Yes, she is a fighter.
I am so proud of her
We put our trust in God for HIS love and protection.
Do take care Julie..confinement has not ended yet..
One day, catch up to see Sam.
Merryn says:
Just look at her, such a pretty little girl. Stay strong Samantha and to you Julie, take care. Hugs.
Oliveoylz says:
Baby Samantha has been through alot in the past 10 days but she is and will always be a fighter! God is watching over her and your lovely family. Enjoy your time bonding with your little girl:)
Aunty Next Door says:
So full of drama that past few days and each time my phone rang, my heart like dropping from the 11th floor. Glad all is well now.
huisia says:
May God watch over little Samantha as she grows. Julie, you take care too.
Amanda Liew says:
God is indeed good. His faithfulness last forever!
No matter what is ahead of us, we know God works for the good. (“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him” Rom 8:28)
Will pray for baby Samantha growing up strong and healthy.
Karen Shia says:
Glad to know all is going well…stay strong!
agnes says:
OMG~ she is so beautiful.. like an angel from heaven.. I’m sure she can survive through no matter how!!! BE STRONG everyone at home…
Derrick's mommy says:
Hi Samantha,
I finally found your blog (after forgetting to add the url into my fav), and am totally relieved to hear that you are well again :). You are a strong angel and definitely a survival. I am a mommy to an angelic boy and I know the feeling of your parents when you were sick :(. Please continue to stay strong and healthy, that is my wish for you. Muaks!
Regards, Derrick’s mommy
Kristie says:
baby Sam, get well soon, remember ur loved ones and God are always by ur side, holding ur hand and stroking ur hair 🙂 love u.
lil prince's mum says:
Glad to hear she’s ok now…….. Be strong baby Sam…
Charmaine says:
Welcome home to little Samantha. A perfect name for her meaning ‘God heard’. In reading your story, I can sense that our Lord is holding this precious little angel in his arms, cradling her and loving her. Pray that she will continue to grow stronger each day.
mc says:
oh…! I am so glad to read that samantha is OK. your story nearly brought me to tears. may the worst be over for the baby girl!
Ann says:
Our God is a God of miracles….and a God who answers prayers.
I cried when I read about her earlier and I cried reading the ordeal you all had to go through.
With faith and prayer, baby Samantha will come a long way in a few weeks time. And we can all look back at this episode and praise God for his faithfulness.
caroline says:
She is such a strong girl and stay strong Samatha!! I will keep praying for you and take care Julie …..
Queenie says:
Glad to know that she is ok now…everyone be strong ya
yugene says:
Glad to know little princess is back home!!!
debbie says:
Really sorry to hear about baby Samantha’s health condition. But thanks to god that she is fine now.
Let’s pray to god that she will grows well…. and you too, take a good rest if possible.
KittyCat says:
Samantha is a real cutie 😀 So pink and sweet!
I think you know I had a really tough time too. This gave me comfort and I hope it will comfort you too:
Do not fear for I am with you;
do not anxiously look about you,
for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you. (Isaiah 41:10).
Focus on giving her the best nutrition and tender loving care at home and she will be fine. Close your eyes, breathe, exhale, breathe, exhale…
andrewjune says:
first of all, she’s a cutie…and she’s indeed a very strong baby!
and she’s truly blessed to hv you as a mummy, Julie…ever so loving, protective and so caring 🙂
your confinement is not over yet…so pls do take care of yourself!
yvy says:
God is great! i’m so glad she is back with u….that must have been so tough. hugs n kisses to all of you for being so strong….((hugs))
christine says:
I’m so thankful to God for his protection over Samantha. And His strength that carried you all through these difficult days. Yes, God is great and He is love. I pray that Samantha will grow stronger and healthier each day. God bless you and your family!
HN says:
Oh Julie, I am so so sorry for being so late to read this! Imagine the stress and worries that you have gone through, you are one strong mummy! I am so glad that Samantha is back home now, you are her everything now so please take care my dear!
Alyssa says:
Samantha…we will pray for you..GOD will send HIS Angels to protect you and I believe with HIS blessing, you will be able to grow healthily…AMEN!!
jacss says:
dear julie, first time here….my heart dropped when i see those photos of samantha with tubes 🙁
it gets very emotional esp when i have a small baby of my own too (just a month older).
anyway, i’m really glad that god indeed walked with sam thru thin & thick….and she’s all back in daddy n mummy’s arm.
take good care of yrself for you’ll be samantha’s core support !!
Paik Ling says:
Hi again, I cried after reading this post. Please, if you need help financially, please please email me. I run an informal foundation that provides financial aid to children for health, education & Basic necessities so we can definitely help you & your family in this aspect!!!