March of Dimes, MD-NCA

Why We Walk Wednesday: Team Two Tiny Blessings

Isabella and Addisyn Pennel were born at 26 weeks 2 days gestation on 4/16/10.  Isabella was 2.2 lbs and 14”.  Addisyn was 2 lbs and 13.75”.  Due to multiple complications, Isabella passed away on 4/25/10.  Addisyn remained in the NICU/Intermediate Care for 82 days.

When we found out we were expecting again, we were excited, and shocked when we found out it would be identical twins.  However, excitement turned to fear when at 19 weeks gestation, we were told that they had TTTS (Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome), which could put their lives in jeopardy.  Not long after that, I started having cervical incompetence and was put on bed rest for 4 weeks.  Isabella and Addisyn were born at the University of MD Medical Center.  Isabella suffered multiple heart conditions, Level 4 advanced IVH and a perforated bowel before she passed away at 8 days old.  Addisyn, the smaller of the two twins, showed to be an extreme fighter and progressed well during her 82 day stay in the NICU.

Addisyn is now a striving 2 ½ year-old who will be celebrating her 3^rd birthday 5 days before the Harford County March for Babies!  Today, her only setback is asthma, and a mild PDA, which gets monitored annually.  

We walk each year, not only for our daughters, but for the many other children who have been born too soon or with problems that may cause them to have to fight a little bit more. 

When we were going through our ordeal, we were not aware of the March of Dimes, and the information and help they could provide to us.  Because of this, we want to make sure that others who are in similar, or not so similar, situations, know that they are not alone and that there is information, and others out there to lend support.