The first few months of being pregnant with Prithvi had me camping out in front of the toilet bowl due to the incessant throwing up.  The rest of my pregnancy went great.  This would be our firstborn and we were so excited about seeing him and about becoming parents even though we didn’t really know the first thing about babies. 

I went into rapidly progressive labor while my dad battled severe cardio problems at a different hospital across town.  There was no time for an epidural and so I was pretty much at the mercy of…nothing, just excruciating pain!!!  I passed out a couple times during labor and got intravenous meds to raise my blood pressure.  60 over 40 ain’t good BP numbers! 

Just when I thought that this is how it must feel like to die, Prithvi was born and we were laughing and crying at the same time. 

They never let me hold my baby right away because they were trying to resuscitate him.  Of course, we didn’t know this at the time, we were just thrilled that he had finally arrived.

I read the doctor’s writing from his medical records when I got back from the hospital.  Severely asphyxiated…apgar score at birth 1…revived…oxygen tent…IV meds.  I felt numb because this baby who should have had all sorts of things wrong with his body, his brain, his organs fought the odds and we were out of the hospital with all systems go in 5 days.

My daddy didn’t get to hold his first grandchild though because two days later, his body quit fighting and he died.  I didn’t get to say goodbye to him.   It was hard.  That was when I knew that joy mingled with sorrow left you numb.

Here is our fighter – strong in mind, body and spirit and nothing, nothing can ever crush him.  Our pride, our joy, our Prithvi turned 10 today.

We love you son…forever.

preeti-prithvi1

13 thoughts on “Double Digits

  1. mamie

    oh, wow, preeti. that boy of yours is something truly special. and it seems like your father was watching over the new little one just when he needed it most. happy birthday to your wonderful son.

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  2. Jocelyn

    I’m late. I read this post at 4.15am today but was still sleepy so didn’t bother commenting until I have my wits about. Actually they’re still MIA.

    Happy birthday to your sweet boy. This is very moving, something a mother like me could fully appreciate. I know your pain and I know it makes you stronger and your bond with your son extraordinarily strong too.

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