Hmmmm - an interesting question indeed and one that MANY doctors have been pondering over for a couple of months now.
Many of you have asked me this question and the answer is - we don't know yet! We don't know what exactly is wrong with Ashling or what caused this.
Both Ashling and Ciara came into this world with stiff limbs. This is not because they were squashed in the womb. On the contrary, I had excess fluid in both sacs so they had plenty of room to move around. However, when an autopsy was done on Ciara, it showed that she also had stiff limbs, but this did not cause her death. The coroner expected to find a heart defect or a brain haemorrhage, but found neither. Unfortunately this means that we will never know why she died but it wasn't due to any obvious "event", as they put it.
As you know, in addition to having stiff limbs, Ashling's diaphragm was elevated. Again, a mystery!
What will happen over the next few months is that, depending on how Ashling develops, they will be able to diagnose her problem properly (hopefully) i.e give it a name! Then we will get some idea of her future prognosis. And we will hopefully find out the cause and look at its implications.
The only thing we know right now is that Ashling is improving everyday and it looks like she'll lead a normal enough life. Only time will tell with Ash but it looks like she has normal intellect and that her problems are mostly physical, which will hopefully be rectified with time. Whatever happened to the girls was not the result of all the drugs and alcohol that I consumed while I was pregnant (Not!). The doctors have reassured me hundreds of times that this was not my fault in any way.
Anyway, hope that this answers some of your questions - for now.
Hi Guys, Dee here (aka "Muck" from the days of sydney).I just want to say how you are all in my thoughts and prayers and how absolutely brave and strong i think you all are. I hope the new year brings you nothing but progress and joy with beautiful little Aishling. Best wishes now and for the new year, dee xx.
ReplyDeleteDear Ger & Caroline,
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing your deepest feelings and emotions with us, we are so impressed how you both are standing strong through these so demanding weeks, we cann all learn from you and I am sure you will look back to this experience with both joy and tears, but you set an example to all of us, every moment you spend with your little brave Ashling is a reward for you and all of us. Remember that you have famiy and friends that are so impressed and proud to know you...and we can't wait to come and visit you in your new home and to see you all three building sand castles on Orewa beach very very soon... merry christmas from the Markus & Family
Dear Car, Ger and Ashling,
ReplyDeletegot your blog address from Quanah. So happy to hear Ashling is getting on well and improving by the day. Will be thinking of you over the Xmas and will be checking your blog regularly.
Lots of Love
Olivia Gill
Those are beautiful casts!?! (not)
ReplyDeleteHaving a nosy at all the lovely photos now shes smiling and awake please can we have one of those too!! See you christmas eve
Elaine and Ruth x
Dear Ger & Caroline,
ReplyDeleteWe have just come to learn of the difficulties you have been through and currently experiencing with the birth of your twin daughters Ashling and Ciara. Our deepest sympathies are with you with the passing away of Ciara. We wanted to let you know that we are thinking of you all. You are tremendously brave and strong, having read the moving web blog you created to allow your friends and families to share in the journey with you. Knowing you both we are convinced that should Ashling inherit just a little of your strength and determination she will come through these tough times. All of you are in our thoughts and prayers, especially Ashling, in the coming weeks and months.
God Bless
Colin & Ann
xx