September 25, 2014

September 25, 2014. I remember that day like it was yesterday. I remember words and phrases vividly from that day. I was looking forward to spending the evening on the couch watching Derek Jeter play in his final home game at Yankee Stadium. Kristen and I both took the day off. We were making a quick trip over to Gainesville. We had an appointment, planned to grab some lunch, and we were going to be back by 1:00pm. Our day didn’t go according to how we had planned.

We had an appointment to see Dr. Million that morning. It was our first appointment since we found out we were pregnant with our second child. Our family and a few close friends knew we were expecting a baby and also knew we would be at the doctor’s office that day. I like to document special days with a picture. I took this picture of Kristen right before Dr. Million came in the room.

 Dr. Million’s practice is to perform an ultrasound at your first appointment. I’ll never forget those brief moments (that seemed like years) when Dr. Million stopped talking and then said, “I hate to even say anything…”

We didn’t know what to think at that time. I don’t think Kristen wanted to hear anything else. I, however, wanted to know. You see, I’m a planner. There must be a plan and we need to know. We need all the information available to plan the best course of action (it’s what planners do). Dr. Million said she saw something and she wasn’t sure what it was. I asked her what could this “thing” she saw be indicative of. That’s when Dr. Million stated, “your baby’s head is not a nice, pretty, oval shape like we want it to be.” She wanted us to see a specialist. We were able to see the specialist at 2:00pm that day.

We wouldn’t be home by 1:00pm. We would have to make arrangements for someone to pick Anniston up from daycare. We would spend the next couple hours trying to think about what might happen next. Our day wasn’t going as planned.

We were referred to Dr. Rizwana Fareeduddin (or Dr Fareed for short). Dr. Fareed's office is located at the end of this long hallway on the left.

We arrive for our 2:00pm appointment and the technician takes about 25 minutes worth of pictures of our baby. Dr. Fareed comes in the room and asks, “why did your doctor send you here?” When I heard that question I felt relieved. I thought to myself, there’s been some sort of mistake. Everything is ok. Our baby is fine. Our baby is healthy. I told Dr Fareed what Dr Million had told us about our baby’s head. She then said the words (that still bring a wave of tears to my eyes as I write this) I will never forget, “unfortunately, you’re doctor is spot on. Your baby has a fatal abnormality called, acrania.”

We were devastated. We were crushed. We were sobbing, three people who had just met, crying and attempting to console one another. Dr. Fareed explained to us what acrania was and did her very best to assure us that this was not our fault. We talked for a few minutes and then we went back to meet with Dr. Million.

It was a day we will never forget. It’s hard to believe that’s in been one year. Kristen and I were talking and reflecting back on this day after work today. She said, “I guess life goes on.” I replied to her, “I don’t know if it does, but it definitely doesn’t stop.”

We can’t thank you all enough. We still meet people that tell us how Truett changed their life. We love hearing stories like that because we love our son. We are so proud to be his parents and we are so proud of him. First Coast News out of Jacksonville, Florida will be having a story about Truett soon. The story should air around late October or early November. We will keep you updated as we know when.

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand – Proverbs 19:21