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Cynthia Duguay

Our little angel, Alex

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Hi my name is Cynthia and my little angel Alex passed away in May of 2003. Alex was our second son. We had a normal pregnancy up until the doctor felt that I was carrying small at 37 weeks. He sent me for an ultrasound to check to see if I was leaking amniotic fluid. My husband and I realized that something was wrong when the ultrasound tech called the radiologist into the room. They went over and over the same spot on my belly for about 20 minutes. They then turned to us and told us that Alex had a left sided CDH. We immediately went to see our obstetrician who told us that Alex probably had a 50% chance of survival.

That evening we left our home and travelled 5 hours to the nearest childrens hospital in Halifax, NS, Canada. While there we were told that Alex had a very large left CDH and that almost all of his abdominal organs including his liver had herniated into his chest. His left lung was very small and his heart had been pushed over to the right.

We were able to stay in the IWK children's hospital while we awaited the delivery of Alex. At 40 weeks I was induced. My husband and mother were with me. About 3 hours into the induction Alex's heart rate increased significantly and an emergent C-section was done.

After the delivery my husband stayed with Alex while the team worked on him. Unfortunately Alex's "good" rt lung collapsed and his heart could not tolerate the stress. Our little angel lived just under 1 hour. He passed away as my husband held his hand. I was still in the recovery room at that time. My husband brought him to me to hold while he was still warm. We spent 3 hours holding our son and taking pictures.

My father in law who we named Alex after was his escort home. He ensured that he made the journey to our home. He is buried in a spot surrounded by other little angels who were called home early.

Even today, 5 years after Alex has passed I still miss him. As I read stories of survivors I wonder, why not our Alex, why didn't he make it??? I have to trust that God had special work for Alex to do as an angel. I know I feel that he is looking down on our family.

Since that time we have had 2 more sons. Alex now has a big brother and 2 little brothers. He will always be remember and talked about.
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