Martha's Story
(A Downs Birth)

- By Tina Roquemore


Something is terribly wrong.

"I'll be right back" she says.

"Right back" turned into a very fast walk with her boss in tow.

Laughingly I ask, "Well, do we have a big baby here?"

"We'll be right back."

This is not fun, guys. You're beginning to worry me. Yep. You guessed it; in they come with their boss.
As they looked at the ultrasound, their brows were so furrowed, you could have planted corn.

"You'll need to speak with your doctor. Can you see him this afternoon?"

"Sure" I say. "Is there anything you can tell me?"'

"No. Your doctor will tell you."

"I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord…"

Ok Lord. What's wrong with my baby?

"…no voice like Thine, can peace afford…"

Have to get Darrell and go see the doc. Shouldn't be too bad. Maybe her heart.
I just know it's a girl this time. With Stephen, it looked like I was carrying a basketball,
and this one makes me look like a bowling pin! Must be a girl. Maybe it's her heart.

"Darrell, we need to get to T3's office (my ob). I think it's the baby's heart."'

Off we go; each in our own thoughts. The file from the hospital gets to the office before the doctor does, but they show us right in.

"I've got bad news," T3 says. "your baby has no brain."

"…I need Thee, Oh, I need Thee…every hour I need Thee…"

Ancephaly with gross chromosomal anomalies.

Well needless to say, the next few days are a blur. The birth, the death, and the funeral.
Mercifully, Angela Renee dies not long after birth. She was a pretty little girl. Big eyes like her brother too.
But it takes me a few months, and then I'm walking on my own two feet now;and not very well.
Sleeping constantly. Highly emotional. Classic depression.

“Oh Lord, what am I going to do? You know we want more children. This is too much.”

"…now bless me now my Saviour, I come to thee."

"You're going to have another little girl"

"What Lord? Really? Oh, thank you!!"'

"But she'll have Down Syndrome."

"So what. She'll be alive, and I've had the alternative. Praise the Lord. So…when?"'

No answer.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Fast forward four years to a hospital room,
and the pediatrician greeting the new parents.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


"So…what have you named your daughter?"

"Martha Cathleen''

"Beautiful name. Have you noticed something wrong with your daughter?"

"What…that she has Down Syndrome…''


God always keeps His promises.

 

Volume 1 Issue 3: September / October 2000, © Unless The Lord ... Magazine

See Also: A Special Needs Child, by Darrell Roquemore

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