42 years ago today, a baby boy was whisked out of my arms, in fact, he had barely spent any time in my arms in the first 24 hours of his life.  However, just before he was 24 hours old, I was approached by the hospital pediatrician that my newborn son was being transported to the ICU at the Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati.  As a young mother, this being my first born I sat in my hospital bed in utter shock!  My husband at the time was home sleeping, and I was alone in a semi-private hospital room with tears streaming down my face and no sounds coming out of my mouth.  My brain went numb, and I thought I had died!

What was wrong?  My baby looked just fine, but I was told he wasn’t and no one knew what was wrong….it was suggested I call my family for support.

Just as the doctor said those words the phone rang, and it was my cousin Gloria calling to wish us well and to ask about baby Steven, at which time I gave out a mysterious scream that even chilled my blood.  Nursed and doctors came running into my room, and all I remember is someone taking the phone from me and talking to my cousin.  It sounded like a Charlie Brown cartoon…..it was all sounds no words and the blood-curdling scream kept resonating through my ears.

My husband arrived shortly after all this transpired and left soon after to be with our son, while I was still confined to bed.  My parents called wanting answers which of course I could not supply, and guilt sank in wondering what I must have done to create this situation.

Twelve days later Steven was released from the hospital, and he was pronounced to be a healthy and happy baby,  In fact, the whole time he was in the ICU, nurses, and doctors asked us why he was brought in, there was never a definite diagnosis.  The only reason given was a mistake in his birth record.  It was not noted he was a suction forceps delivery, therefore the cause of the enlarged soft spot that was misdiagnosed as encephalitis.  Once treatment began it had to be completed, however, he never was identified with any other symptoms.

Yesterday, my first born, celebrated his forty-second birthday, I am blessed.