Preeclampsia Walk 2010

This Saturday Dana and I will be participating in the Promise Walk for Preeclampsia in San Diego. As most of you know or have read, my son, Ryan was born at 26 weeks due to severe Preeclampsia. This walk is very near and dear to my heart. The only cure for Preeclampsia is to deliver the baby. It is not even known what causes this horrible condition. Our hope is that one day a "real" cure will be discovered so that all babies can have a full 9 months.

The Road to Ryan:

When Dana and I decided the time was right to start a family, we thought we had it planned out pretty well. WE WERE WRONG. We spent 2 1/2 years trying to get pregnant. We received advice and encouragement from many people. Some conventional, some unconventional. We tried with our socks on, we tried with our socks off, one sock on and one off. We even tried with two socks on one foot. I was given a magnetic fertility bracelet. It didn't attract a baby, only a salt shaker and some silverware. Alas after many nights, (and some afternoons) of hard work, it happened. I was ecstatic and Dana was shocked.

The pregnancy wasn't easy. I had morning sickness that lasted all day, flu, kidney stone, and eventually the condition that forced Ryan to be born 14 weeks too soon. I went to my doctor's appointment for the glucose test and ended up on bed rest in labor and delivery. My blood pressure was 180/90, my face was swollen, and I was spilling protein at 3+. I had no idea that I had Preeclampsia. Ryan and I rested for several days. One night my blood pressure shot up and Ryan stopped moving. The doctor decided Ryan had a better chance of survival on the outside so the "cure" for my Preeclampsia was to deliver him as soon as possible. Ryan entered our lives at 3:35 A.M. weighing 1 pound and 7 ounces. Sixteen days later Ryan went to the safe and loving arms of God. Although he is not physically here with us, he lives on forever in our hearts.