My cousin's wife was diagnosed with HELLP syndrome which is caused by preeclampsia. The only way to fix this was to deliver the baby. So yesterday morning she gave birth to a 13 inch, 1 pound 9 oz. baby boy via c-section. She was only 25 weeks pregnant.

Apparently he is doing very well with a healthy heart and lungs but of course is not out of the woods yet. He will have to stay in the hospital several months until he can eat and breathe on his own and maintain a good body temp. The mom is recovering well and still needs to stay in the hospital for a few more days.
Please keep them in your prayers

By Bobbie~moderatr on Monday, September 1, 2008 - 06:27 pm:

In my thoughts and prayers...

By Dramamamma on Monday, September 1, 2008 - 10:52 pm:

They are all in my thoughts and prayers. Modern medicine is just amazing.

By Dawnk777 on Monday, September 1, 2008 - 11:09 pm:

They are in my thoughts and prayers. HELLP syndrome is very hard on a mom, so I'm sure they didn't make that decision lightly.

H - Hemolysis (breakdown of blood cells)
EL - Elevated liver enzymes
LP - Low platelets

Medline Info

By Kernkate on Thursday, September 4, 2008 - 09:52 pm:

Many thoughts and prayers to everyone.

By Marcia on Friday, September 5, 2008 - 08:08 am:

How is the baby doing, Patti? He's in my prayers.

By Dawnk777 on Friday, September 5, 2008 - 12:14 pm:

Do you have an update?

By Bellajoe on Friday, September 5, 2008 - 03:03 pm:

I got this email from my cousin the other day:

Thank you all for your support, thoughts and prayers during this stressful time. Mom is walking around with minimal pain and would like nothing more than to get out of here. Nicholas is holding his own and looks great. He has many hurdles to jump in the coming months so please keep him in your prayers. We'll try to keep everyone posted as things progress.

He sent a photo of baby Nicolas. His wedding ring fits on the baby's wrist. He's so tiny but it sounds like so far he is doing very well considering he's only 1 lb.

Thanks so much for asking, and when I get an update I will let you know.

By Bellajoe on Tuesday, September 30, 2008 - 08:18 am:

Here is an update on little Nicholas:

He is now 2 pounds. He had a bout with pneumonia which did some damage to his lungs. We don't know what that means long term. He has had some kidney problems and is on diuretic. Poor baby and his parents have a long hard road ahead.

Please keep the prayers coming!

By Enchens on Tuesday, September 30, 2008 - 09:01 pm:

Thank you for the update. I had been wondering for a bit. Still in our prayers.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 - 09:53 am:

Still in my prayers....

By Kernkate on Thursday, October 2, 2008 - 08:16 am:

Continued prayers

By Bellajoe on Thursday, October 2, 2008 - 01:51 pm:

This is what he posted yesterday on the "Updates on Nicholas" website they started.


They stopped the last remaining antibiotic and have started feeding Nicholas again. The settings on the ventilator have been weaned down a little bit more. Yesterday they did a head ultrasound on Nicholas and it showed some damage. We don't know what this means and we are not sure they do either. Of course Nicholas still looks adorable!

God, I hope he does not have brain damage.

By Dramamamma on Thursday, October 2, 2008 - 04:18 pm:

Pattie, can you share the website for baby Nicholas?

They will continue to be in my prayers.

By Bellajoe on Thursday, October 9, 2008 - 09:36 am:

Well, I would but you have to sign up and have a password for it. Then they will keep emailing you with updates on the baby. I doubt you want constant updates on some random baby you don't know

This is the latest update on baby Nicholas:

Nicholas has had a tough couple days. His blood gas levels started fluctuating and his gasses in his bowel showed a leak Yesterday he had an operation to remove a small portion of his colon and now has a bag covering the ends. He made it through the operation well and the surgeon was happy with the result. We have been told that he should be feeling better by Thursday night. As of this mornning, his blood gas and oxygen saturation levels are looking good. He is back on the 'jet' ventallator but at it's lowest rate

Poor baby has been through so much already.

By Bellajoe on Saturday, October 18, 2008 - 10:47 pm:

Baby Nicholas passed away today. Please say a prayer for his parents Ed, and Lisa.

thank you for all your prayers

By Ilovetom on Saturday, October 18, 2008 - 11:07 pm:

I am so very sorry.

By Dana on Saturday, October 18, 2008 - 11:57 pm:

So very sad. Today is the first time I have seen this thread. So many ups and downs for this family.

By Dawnk777 on Sunday, October 19, 2008 - 12:08 am:

I'm so sorry. Will keep his parents in my prayers.

By Marcia on Sunday, October 19, 2008 - 12:20 am:

I'm so sorry. They will all be in my prayers.

By Annie2 on Sunday, October 19, 2008 - 09:56 am:

Thoughts and prayers for family and Baby Nicholas.
How heart breaking for everyone.

By Crystal915 on Sunday, October 19, 2008 - 12:18 pm:

How terribly sad... your family is in my thoughts.

By Kernkate on Sunday, October 19, 2008 - 01:45 pm:

God Bless Baby Nicholas...that is so sad
Everyone is in my thoughts and prayers.

By Bellajoe on Sunday, October 19, 2008 - 03:14 pm:

Thank you. I'm just so sad for them. This was their first child, they just got married last year. It just breaks my heart.

Thank you all so much for your kind words and prayers. I wish there was something I could do for them, but I know nothing will ease the pain they are experiencing right now.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Sunday, October 19, 2008 - 09:36 pm:

I think it is something they will have to work through, there really isn't anything that any one can do.

More prayers..