My son

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Today is the two year anniversary of the day my son was born. Unfortunately it was also the day he died. He was born prematurely, and went through a difficult pregnancy, so his lungs were not developed enough to breath upon delivery. He lived just shy of a hour and died in my arms. Moving on with life in general after such an occurance seemed inconceivable. I gained weight, was always depressed and (I'm ashamed to say) dreamt of killing myself on a daily basis.

Then one day I decided that I didn't want to live that way anymore. I started dieting and exercising. The pounds started falling off and I was feeling good about my outward appearance for the first time in years.

Then my wife got pregnant again and it wasn't long before the same complications that resulted in my sons death started to re-occure with this pregnancy. The fear and dread we felt for the unknown future of this child was overwhelming. And once again I started turning to food as a cure all for feeling better. I ended up gaining around 30 pounds over a six month period and reaching an all time high for my weight. I'm extremely glad to say that although my daughter did get delivered early via c-section and had to stay in an NICU for over 7 weeks. This is her today! She and my son are the reasons I'm trying again to lose weight and live healthy.

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I'm not totally sure why I'm writing this post. I guess I just wanted to honor the memory of my little boy and share it with others. Also maybe because there have been a few members of MFP have approached me recently due to the picture on my ticker, so I'm sure there are similar stories out there to mine and I know how hard it is to talk about.

Happy birthday Aidan!
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Replies

  • JanetLM73
    JanetLM73 Posts: 1,277 Member
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    Wow, I'm in tears. Your daughter is beautiful.
  • FadedFreckles
    FadedFreckles Posts: 81 Member
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    Happy Birthday Aiden.

    Your post was beautiful and wonderfully written. I'm so sorry for your and your wifes loss, though I realise that is little comfort to you. Thank you for having the strength to post openly about your situation which can only help to raise awareness about infant deaths.

    Your daughter is beautiful and must be a wonderful, but poigniant, reminder of Aiden.

    Hugs. X
  • shannoninBC
    shannoninBC Posts: 371 Member
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    Wow, very nice. Thanks for sharing that.
  • Wendysworld13
    Wendysworld13 Posts: 225 Member
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    Treasure each day. You have a beautiful healthy little girl who has a father who she will need (whether she knows it or not) for a very long time to come. Take care of yourself so you can take care of her! Love health and peace to your family!
  • leika79
    leika79 Posts: 114
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    a very moving story, i am sorry for your loss.
    you have a very beautiful daughter enjoy every moment and be strong for her.
    happy birthday little man x
  • TinkrBelz
    TinkrBelz Posts: 888 Member
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    I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet baby boy!!!! But, what a wonderful blessing to have Aiden now!! Happy birthday baby girl and good luck with your continued weight loss!! ((hugs))
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,874 Member
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    I have read accounts of the loss of a child too many times in my years spent on pregnancy and parenting forums, but never from a father's point of view. Thank you for sharing so openly and honestly.

    Happy birthday to your sweet baby Aiden, and your daughter is beautiful :)
  • cynhip
    cynhip Posts: 33
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    I understand this. I also lost my Son. He was 27. Cancer. Words can't describe the loss of a child. I think it should be a sin. It's been almost 5 years and seems like an hour ago. His name is Nathen and he's still my world. It never, never gets any easier. God Bless you. Happy Birthday Aidan. Xo
  • KJVBear33
    KJVBear33 Posts: 628
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    Happy birthday to your little girl Aiden......she is gorgeous!! Also happy bday to your son........Im sorry for your loss and I agree that it took a lot of strength to write what you did. Thankyou for that!
  • teeley
    teeley Posts: 477 Member
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    Your story is very touching.
    Happy Birthday Aiden!
  • iluxoxo211
    iluxoxo211 Posts: 241 Member
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    Wow I am in tears this is very touching.. I am so sorry for your loss.. this was very brave of you to post..thanks for posting this...Happy birthday to your sweet little boy:flowerforyou:
  • niknak2308
    niknak2308 Posts: 315 Member
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    Wow, that must have taken some real courage to not just get through it all, but to be dealing with it so openly now. As a mummy to two little ones I can only imagine what you and your partner must have been through. I don't know what your belief system is but I would like to imagine that little man is looking down and smiling seeing what a beautiful sister he's got.
    Congratulations on your adorable little girl, and my thoughts are with you xxx
  • mjhartness
    mjhartness Posts: 43 Member
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    Happy Birthday Aiden.......Your daughter is precious....... Stay on track for your wife and daughter and for YOU! God Bless.
  • DeenaSteelerGirl
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    Awwwww. (((Hugs)))) That put tears in my eyes. Happy Birthday to Aiden and your daughter is just so adorable. Thanks for sharing that with us. xoxo
  • steadk
    steadk Posts: 334 Member
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    Your daughter is beautiful!! And good on you for looking at the future that you will share with your daughter now. Just know that you're son is healthy now and not suffering as he is with his Maker, giggling and smiling, waiting to spend time with you. Until that day, live life to the fullest. Best wishes to you!
  • aimibean
    aimibean Posts: 243
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    Happy Birthday, Aidan. :flowerforyou:
  • StaceyL76
    StaceyL76 Posts: 711 Member
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    Hugs. This is beautiful. I am sorry for your loss. Happy Birthday Aiden. Thank you for sharing.
  • Simmie69
    Simmie69 Posts: 72
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    Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.
    Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt post!

    Happy Birthday to your beautiful son Aiden, may you be comforted knowing that he is your angel steering you along!
    Enjoy your baby girl she is a doll!
  • 100over
    100over Posts: 53 Member
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    My heart goes out to you and your wife. It impossible to wrap out minds and hearts around a tragedy like that and the pain must be unbearable. To be given a gift like that and have it taken away immediately is more than I can imagine being a mom myself. Your sweet daughter is beautiful and I'm so happy you and your wife were given the opportunity to show your love to her every day.
  • Jade17694
    Jade17694 Posts: 584 Member
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    Your daughter is beautiful :)

    Happy Birthday little man x