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JAMES IAN — USA
Lived November 2009 Early-onset Mother's GBS Status: Tested negative Gestational Age: 40 weeks Age harmed: 1 day of age |
My brother and his fiancee were so excited to be finding out they were expecting a beautiful healthy baby boy which is what my brother had always prayed for. His fiancee was so happy to become a mother of her first child and went through 40 weeks of pregnancy . . . all the test results were normal, NO group B strep was present . . . at least that is what the doctors told us. My brother was on base in Texas when we got the phone call that James was about to be born. I was in another state at the time and mother and I were planning a trip to go see my very first and only nephew. We were so excited to hear that my brother's fiancee was going into LABOR!!
A few hours later we received one of the most heartbreaking phone calls saying that my baby nephew was sick. Doctors weren't too sure what was going on with James. My mom immediately bought a plane ticket to fly to Memphis to see what was going on with our baby James. My brother left base and rushed 12 hours to the hospital where James was born, but we suddenly realized we were going to be too late when they announced James Ian had passed away 12 hours after birth. Our family was crushed and I didn't know the first words to say to my brother.
I called my brother and you could hear the fear and sadness that was brought to his voice. I suddenly realized things would never be the same. My brother arrived at the hospital. When he walked into the room where his breathless son was lying, my family stepped out of the room in tears. You could hear my brother crumbling and the tears rolled so slowly off of his face onto his son. James looked so innocent and quiet but yet so peaceful. Our preacher came down and said prayers for this baby and his parents. The funeral was unbearable to be at. James was in his tiny casket with his little baseball hat laid along side of him. I knew my brother was in so much pain to see his son lying there about to be buried in the ground. My brother knew he was an angel and was going to look after us forever. Today my brother and his fiancee were married. They have a little girl who is now 2 and healthy. Every time I walk into my brother's living room, there lies James Ian's hand prints on the fireplace. I wanted to share this story because we really need to remember how grateful we are to have healthy children. I love you, baby James, and I will be seeing you soon. I love you.
— Taylor Kuykendall, USA
A few hours later we received one of the most heartbreaking phone calls saying that my baby nephew was sick. Doctors weren't too sure what was going on with James. My mom immediately bought a plane ticket to fly to Memphis to see what was going on with our baby James. My brother left base and rushed 12 hours to the hospital where James was born, but we suddenly realized we were going to be too late when they announced James Ian had passed away 12 hours after birth. Our family was crushed and I didn't know the first words to say to my brother.
I called my brother and you could hear the fear and sadness that was brought to his voice. I suddenly realized things would never be the same. My brother arrived at the hospital. When he walked into the room where his breathless son was lying, my family stepped out of the room in tears. You could hear my brother crumbling and the tears rolled so slowly off of his face onto his son. James looked so innocent and quiet but yet so peaceful. Our preacher came down and said prayers for this baby and his parents. The funeral was unbearable to be at. James was in his tiny casket with his little baseball hat laid along side of him. I knew my brother was in so much pain to see his son lying there about to be buried in the ground. My brother knew he was an angel and was going to look after us forever. Today my brother and his fiancee were married. They have a little girl who is now 2 and healthy. Every time I walk into my brother's living room, there lies James Ian's hand prints on the fireplace. I wanted to share this story because we really need to remember how grateful we are to have healthy children. I love you, baby James, and I will be seeing you soon. I love you.
— Taylor Kuykendall, USA
To learn more about How to Help Protect Your Baby from Group B Strep (GBS), click HERE.
