Louisiana tries to comfort a grieving and upset friend in Alaska.
Thursday, April 27, 2006, 6:18 a.m., D.S.T., Nashville, Tennessee~
Dearest Michael~
I was so sorry to learn of little Mattaq's brain bleed and stroke. I can see why you are upset, but don't give up hope. Miracles can happen; all you have to do is trust in the Lord and hand the situation to Him. He'll take care of things; you just have to believe in that.
As for Jenna's depression, post partum depression is very common in new mothers. For reasons that are unknown, while the birth of a new baby in their lives should be full of joy, they feel anything but; they feel let down, scared, unsure of the future, now that there is a new little person in it. However, there are ways to help; it is imperative to get the intervention for her before it escalates into something more drastic.
All too many times you hear of new mothers doing crazy things: killing (or maiming) their babies because they "couldn't handle it", and yet people see these young mothers as "monsters" because they can't understand how they could do this. Something is most definitely going on to cause them to act in such an irrational manner; we have failed to realize that post partum depression is a serious problem.
It is a sad state of affairs because a lot of the time people cannot afford treatment; however, on the other hand, it is good that you see that Jenna has a problem. The next step is to get the help. It is out there, and there are places that offer free or low cost mental health counseling. All you have to do is look to find it. You would be surprised to see how many places can help Jenna, especially in a large city like Anchorage.
I am sure that you could benefit too because you have been profoundly affected by the early arrival of your baby boy. Premature birth not only affects the baby: it affects the parents, and it affects their family and friends.
In the meantime, Michael, I will keep you, Jenna,and baby Mattaq in my prayers. How is he doing? Has he had any more problems? You haven't written in a few days, so I was wondering what was going on.
As you said in your journal, Mattaq will have bad days and good days. That is very common among premature babies. One minute, you think they are doing terrific, and the next, BOOM! The bottom falls out, and you are faced with the fear of losing your child because something went wrong. That happens. Until their little bodies gow or become more mature, all kinds of problems can develop.
That is one reason why little ones are wired for sound in the NICU because then the nursing staff or doctors can monitor them and try to nip any problems in the bud when they happen or try to prevent them from happening in the first place.
I know about these things on a personal level because I was a parent of a premature baby girl (unfortunately, she lived for only a few weeks), so I have been where you are at. Hopefully Mattaq won't die; there is always that chance. I will be praying extra hard for him, as I said, but it is not up to me whether he lives or dies. That is all up to the Lord, and all you can do is put your trust in Him. He will take care of you, and He will take care of your baby boy.
Back to Jenna: she is probably feeling upset because not only does she have her son's early birth to deal with, she also has disability issues to think about; she feels that her disability will only hamper her efforts to become a good mother. That is understandable. All you can do is be there for her, hold her in your arms, and let her cry and "talk" out her feelings. Just listen to what she has to say and don't get mad at her when she says unkind things. Let her vent. These past few years have been awfully hard on an independent young woman like Jenna, and the world that she once knew is no more. Be her rock in her time of struggle.
Well, Michael, I would write more, but they are calling me to the PICU again. Another blasted Code Blue. (Seems there have been a rash of those lately; I hate those things.) I will write more later; please keep in touch, and know that if you both need anything at all, don't hesitate to call me at a moment's notice! God be with you, Jenna, and Mattaq; you will be on our church prayer chain come Sunday! Baby Mattaq will be covered in prayer!
(((HUGS))) and much love (and many prayers for y'all), your friend in Tennessee, Louie Mayrah. :( >tears<
Informative and heart-breaking news at the same time. The adults involved must stay strong for Mattaq, including his mother. Many women have post-partum depression after childbirth, Brooke Shields did and was medicated for it. Thanks for the letter today, Karen Lynn.
Karen
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Have implicit faith in God !
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