A Special Mother’s Day for a Local Family

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Submitted by Diana Yu (Abuelita)

zumba olympia
Mama celebrates the upcoming arrival of her baby with Zumba instructors (affectionately called Tias and Abuelita).

This is the story about a much-awaited child after 14 years of marriage.  This is a story about overcoming an unexpected catastrophic medical emergency and celebrating a very special Mother’s Day.

Regina, originally from Brazil, and Jason met, fell in love and married 14 years ago.  As much as they wanted to have a family blessed with children, it just never happened for them.  Jason works for the National Guard and is an army reservist.  Regina is a local Zumba instructor.

Miraculously, after many childless years, Regina found herself pregnant.  Even having to give up her almost daily Zumba classes did not dampen her excitement over the many months of morning sickness.  Impatiently awaiting the birth of Julia Midori, a group of self appointed Tias (Aunties) and Abuelita (Grandmother) prepared together and celebrated all the milestones, finding out the baby was going to be a girl, having a huge baby shower and counting the days until Julia Midori’s arrival.

On April 15, contractions began and everyone excitedly waited to hear about the birth.  And waited, and waited.  Finally a caesarian section delivery had to be performed on April 17.  Julia Midori appeared squalling, a beautiful baby girl.  After a few minutes it was evident that something was not right because she never quite “pinked up.”

olympia mothers day
Papi and Julia arrive at Seattle Children’s.

Within three hours Julia was whisked by for a last hug with Mama and taken by ambulance to Seattle Children’s Hospital.  Upon arrival, tests showed that she had a critical congenital heart defect called ‘Transposition of the Great Vessels.’  The main arteries coming out of her heart were switched around and she was not getting oxygen to the rest of her body.  “Critical but fixable” were the words that the cardiac surgeon used when talking to dad.

In the meantime, Mama had her own medical complications landing her in the intensive care unit.  Mama was finally discharged from the hospital on the day of Julia’s surgery to join the rest of her family in Seattle.

April 21, day four of life, Julia underwent a delicate five-hour open heart surgery where  her major heart arteries were switched around.  Her chest wall remained open in case of complications and she stayed in the cardiac intensive care unit under the careful watch of wonderful nurses and doctors at Seattle Children’s.  A few minor scares with swelling, and difficulty breathing but her chest wound was finally closed on April 30, another milestone day.

By May 4, while her Tias and Abuelita held a fundraiser, Julia had stabilized enough to move to a regular hospital room, her parents finally getting the chance to hold and cuddle her, and provide her care under careful supervision from the experts.  Julia is learning to drink the breast milk that her Mama so patiently collected for her and spending a lot of time listening to her Papi talk to her and tell her stories.

olympia mothers day
Mama and Julia are reunited after her surgery.

Soon Julia will be able to return to Olympia.  Mama and Papi are learning how to give her shots and medications, in addition to regular baby care.  There is a future of visits with heart doctors and added check-ups but Julia should be able to grow up and be normally active, surrounded with love from her parents, family from Brazil, other relatives and her dedicated “adopted” Tia’s and Abuelita.

Although the family has medical insurance, there are additional financial burdens, like added medical costs, cost of living in Seattle over the last few weeks and the cost of Papi’s unpaid leave to care for his wife and baby.

A fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 from 2 – 3:30 pm at Wild Grace Arts at 507 Cherry Street, downtown Olympia.  Everyone is invited to come, make a donation and dance.  In keeping with Mama’s passion, this will be a Zumba party and the theme is HAPPY!

An account is set up at Twin Star Credit Union (Julia McAllister Fund) to help the family.

Because this story has not ended, we can only talk about a happy beginning.  Many challenges are ahead, but for now, we have a great beginning, a happy family able to celebrate their first Mother’s Day together.

 

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