The Day Before …

“We were on Home Road and Sawmill Parkway, the red light had just turned green when suddenly right in front of our very eyes, pow, two vehicles collided! Oh, my God, it could have been you, your mom, and me in that car wreck…”

It was a warm and beautiful Monday, August 16, 2010, the day before you were born your mother had a doctor's appointment at 2:00 pm. We got ready and left the house early as your mom likes to be prompt. And you should know that she gets upset when we're late. Anyway, I looked forward to accompanying her to the doctors office which was her 37th week of pregnancy check-up. I was curious to hear what the doctor would say about your mother's current condition.  

Your mom drove because she gets nervous when I'm behind the wheels.  Quite frankly, it was just fine with me because I don't like to drive.  In San Francisco, when I'm not taking public transportation, I have people drive me around.  So I guess I lack practice.

We were on Home Road and Sawmill Parkway, the red light had just turned green when suddenly right in front of our very eyes, pow, two vehicles collided!   

The delivery van to our left collided with the mini-van to our right across the road who failed to stop at the red light.  The delivery van to our left was north bound on Home Road in the same direction as we, but at full speed because the light had already turned green by the time he got to the intersection.  The mini-van who hit him was east bound on Sawmill Parkway but ran the red light. 

Your mother immediately pulled over and we both got out of the car (with my camera in tow) to check on the status of the drivers and passengers.  Thank God no one was hurt, at least that was apparent to us; we didn’t see blood, but the victims were definitely shaken and shocked! 

The African American man driving the delivery van was near tears and the woman driver of the mini-van who could have been Latin American clearly was scared out of her wits!  We felt sorry for all of them.  We saw a man with his cell phone calling the police.  We stayed on the scene until the sheriff arrived.  Meanwhile, while we were waiting, I took some pictures of the accident. 

After the sheriff arrived, we told him that we witnessed the incident and offered to give our contact information, but he declined.  We were not sure why; perhaps there’s a “No Fault” law in Ohio! 



We got back on the car to proceed to the doctor’s appointment in which we are now going to be late for.  On the drive we just realized that it could have happened to us!  We could have been in that car accident!  We were  only a car behind the delivery van.  It happened so fast!  If we were not at a stop light waiting for the green light, it would have been you, your mother, and I colliding with the mini-van from across the road!  The gods and the angels must have been watching and definitely protected us.

We arrived at the Women’s Care Center in Columbus on Cherry Way Drive for your mother’s appointment with Dr. Nicole Zochowski.  Your mother introduced me to the doctor, the nurse, and office assistant.  I went in the examination room with her.  The nurse weighed your mother and took her blood pressure and recorded it on her chart.  For the second week in a row your mother lost weight as well as her blood pressure was high again. 

Finally Dr. Zochowski entered the room; she took her blood pressure again only to confirm that it was still high. Dr. Zochowski also noted (again) that your mother’s feet and legs were swollen; she said that she would probably induce your mother “tomorrow” … that would be Tuesday, August 17th.



Doctor measured size of your mommy's tummy



She instructed your mother to lie down so she could continue her examination.  



Doctor listened to your heart beat.

After the examination, Dr. Zochowski said that she will send your mother to St. Anne’s tomorrow, August 17th for inducement.  Your mother shared with her doctor that I, (Lola) know about numerology and favors the number 19 better than 16!  Dr. Zochowski smiled.  I took the opportunity to summarize to Dr. Zochowski in a concerned tone your mother’s condition based from the six days of observation; that your mother was very, very uncomfortable, she was going through some emotional challenges, unable to sleep and rest, and quite frankly, miserable and unhappy!

   

After a brief pause, Dr. Zochowski said, “Okay, why wait until tomorrow?  Given the facts that your blood pressure is still high, you lost weight again, and you’re still swollen; why wait?  I’ll go ahead and send you to St. Anne’s Hospital tonight to have you and the baby monitored.”

Before and After

Pregnancy





                            

                                                                      

                                               

Suddenly, we were quiet, the three of us; as if the judge had just handed the verdict … We’re going to the hospital today, NOW!  We could have the baby anytime in the next 24 hours or sooner!

We got on the car, headed back home to pick-up our bags.  Your mom seemed distracted on the drive back to the house.  I’m sure so many things were going through her mind.  She was scared, nervous, and confused --- the moment she has been waiting for has come, the baby is coming any time soon and she feels ‘alone’!  I let her be; she needed her space; she needed to think.

Auntie Angela was excited to meet you!

After we arrived home, your mom called your father to share the news.  She told him that we're going to the hospital to start induce the labor.  Your mom was in no mood for further discussion, so I took the phone away from her and I said to your father calmly that we're enroute to the hospital now and your mom will be induced tonight.  As the father of the baby, we wanted to give him the courtesy and options to participate in the birth of his son; but it was solely his choice. 

I was having my own host of emotions, too.  First and foremost, I was happy because I would finally meet my grandson, Baby Gage and hold you in my arms yet I was scared for your mom, but I couldn't tell her that because I was supposed to be her source of strength.  I should not cry, at least not that she should see.  I was ambivalent about how I would fare in the delivery room watching my daughter give birth to my frst grandchild.  But she will be so "relieved once the baby is born," I told myself.   There were so many emotions from the unknown, oh, how I wished your g’papa was with us to witness this beautiful miracle … the birth of our first grandchild, Baby Gage; a symbol of hope, dreams, and aspirations!  

♥♥♥