Sam-Pete-Cutler
Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.
Our intentions are to raise money and awareness for such an important
department that enables families like us to have time with premature and poorly
babies. To do so, I (Pete) along with 3 of Freddie's uncles and other close family friends are cycling from the Birmingham neonatal unit to Blackpool.
Any contributions would be greatly received for all the angel babies, and
now healthier babies that the amazing neonatal team have helped and supported.
Recognition for their expertise and nurturing is not rewarded enough;
such amazing, passionate people... Always in our hearts and forever grateful.
This is our journey...
It has been bittersweet throughout, with many highs and lows. We were
already blessed to have our healthy 3 year old son Charlie and were elated to
find out we were pregnant again in April 2014. 23rd June 2014 was the day
the rollercoaster of emotions began. Our 12 week scan showed twins; to
have one baby we felt blessed but to see two we felt like it was a miracle, we
were so lucky and happy, but immediately the mood in the room changed. A
'problem' was identified in one of our babies and we were to be referred to
Birmingham Women's Fetal Medicine for further scanning and analysis.
We were scanned every 2-3 weeks from there on. We were asked to
consider terminating our unhealthy twin but that was never an option regardless
of the high risk to both our non-identical twin babies ... They were our
babies, our world. At 16 weeks our healthy twin was sexed as a girl
however due to our other baby's condition no sexing could be done, but we knew
and felt so strongly it was a boy. As we were reminded throughout that
survival was so low for our one baby we named them early... Freddie and Daisy. We
were amazed and so nervous at every scan, but at every scan our little boy
continued to fight and amaze us (as well as the consultants at times). As
the scans progressed and our babies grew, Freddie's condition developed further
secondary problems, but it looked more and more positive that we were going to
meet our amazing boy as he continued to develop and grow. Our due date
was 5th January 2015, but our babies arrived 9 weeks early on 6th November
2014. Freddie Stephen Cutler was born at 8.53am weighing 4lbs 3ozs and Daisy
Ida Cutler was born at 9.15am weighing 3lbs 9oz. Both our babies were
worked on in theatre and then taken together to neonatal but in different rooms
due to the intensity of support needed.
Freddie had been diagnosed with a Megacystis, Megauretes, Bladder Outlet
Obstruction and Pulmonary Hypoplasia, and due to his severe condition was
expected to take his last breaths in our arms as it would not be possible to
work on him after birth. We were prepared to an extent that he would take his
last moment with us, but our amazing fighter was born and there was some sign
of lung development as he began to cry.
Sadly our
brave, strong little boy took his last assisted breath at 14.54 6th November
2014, but the amazing work performed by the Neonatal Team had given us 6
priceless hours of our sons life. Our eldest son got to see him open his
eyes, we had snuggles and we felt his warm skin to touch, feel and kiss. During
those 6 confusing, happy, amazing, distraught, overwhelming hours we bathed our
son Freddie and took him to meet his little sister Daisy; who we feel he gave
so much for.
We had not prepared for Daisy to be so poorly as well, the complications of
being so premature meant we spent a further 6 weeks in neonatal. Daisy grew in
strength and size and we finally bought her home on 6th December 2014.
We lay our angel baby Freddie to rest 24th November 2014. It was the
most difficult thing we have ever done. We have preserved as many
memories of our son's life and with our family and friends he will always live,
grow and survive.
Thanks to the Neonatal Team of Birmingham Women's Hospital we would have
never had those moments and memories of our beautiful, perfect son Freddie
Stephen Cutler.
Sleep tight in the stars son... We love you so much!
