The Journey Begins

Wednesday June 10th Karen packed a weekend bag to be home in Texas with her family for a few days before she wouldn’t be able to travel as Aug 7th was approaching. Before heading to Texas, Karen had a regularly scheduled appointment with Dr. Stone. We had had a busy schedule from the “Baird Weekend” which led right into our Sunday, Monday, Tuesday trip to Big Cedar wrapping up my year as Young Agent Chairman for the state association.

That morning as Karen was packing and I was just getting around to unpacking, I commented that I was so happy to have a clear schedule with no where to go until we are ready to travel with the baby in late August. Little did I know…

Just like every trip to the doctor, the first thing they do is dip a dipstick in Karen’s urine. It is always normal and they go on. This time it measured a 4+, which indicates a protein of greater then 2000. The dipped 2 more sticks to make sure and decided to send the urine off to the lab to make quadruple sure. After the lab results confirmed their initial concerns, Karen was admitted for a 24-hour bed rest period for them to watch and continue to check everything. We figured a 24 or 48 hour resting period and then we’d come home on bed rest and monitor everything. We really thought we’d deliver at full term and just be burdened by bed rest until then.

Friday morning I was setting at my desk when she called after the doctor had made rounds. I was anticipating picking her up and coming home. Her tone was scared when she called to tell me they were transferring her to Baptist and delivering at 5 PM. The main concern and diagnosis was pre-eclampsia. Symptoms are high liver enzymes, protein in urine and high blood pressure. Full-blown eclampsia, the high blood pressure causes seizures. It is life threatening in its full stages to both mother and child.

Friday was an emotional day for me (as you can imagine) traveling to OKC by myself talking to many friends and asking for prayers.

We were transferred Integris Medical Center (Baptist) and started IV’s ect to get her ready for delivery. Though it was early, the mood was much relaxed, as we knew all along the baby would come via c-section.

Included is my email as we wait for 5 PM Friday:

Hello all,
First, let me thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for the concerns and the prayers lifted up on our behalf.
Karen's lab work indicates she should be a very sick girl but she feels fine and vital signs are normal. Her doc at Lakeside feels because she is masking the signs, she could "crash" at any time.
We have been transferred to Integris Medical Center (rm 473) and Karen is resting well. The nurse is starting her IV now and plans are to deliver the little man at 5 pm. The ultrasound Wednesday estimates a weight of 3 lb 6 oz. So we feel fortunate that we have gotten this far and he has had the time in utero. We are 31 weeks and Karen has received 2 steroid injections that will help significantly with the baby's lung development.
As crazy as it may sounds, we feel very blessed to be where we are. I don't know how people go through this without Faith, family and friends.
We love you all and thank you again for your prayers.
I'll keep you posted,
Wes, Karen, Charlie and soon to be Porter


Porter Jack Magill was born at 5:18 PM Friday June 12th, Karen and my 5-year wedding anniversary. He tipped the scales at 2 lb 11 oz. and was 16 inches long.

Included is my email to friends and family Friday night lying awake unable to sleep.

I lay here at 10:39 PM on our 5th wedding anniversary praising God for the safe arrival of another son.
Porter came into the world at 2 lb 11oz just after 5 pm. He came out kicking and screaming and is sure to be a fighter in the NICU.
Karen is resting well and will recover rapidly. Porter has a long road ahead with ups and downs but he will be wrestling with Charlie and me in no time.
The prayers lifted on our behalf from Weatherford, across Texas, Indiana, New York City, Stillwater, Muskogee, New Mexico and all across OK have been nothing short of a Blessing from God.
Karen, Charlie, Porter and I are so loved and we thank you all for your (literally, thousands) of prayers.
I'll attach the best photo I have on my phone. I have to rest. Thanks again, with love.
The Magills


Saturday was a tough day as they started Karen on the Magnesium Sulfate to combat the toxicity built up in her body. She was down all day and most of Sunday. Fairly quiet both days. Sunday afternoon was the first time (other then in the OR) that Karen was able to see Porter.

Mr. Porter went into the NICU (neonatal ICU) immediately where he had numerous IV’s and leads to different monitors hooked all over him. He breathes through a c-pap. Similar to someone with sleep apthnea, he breathes on his own, this just makes sure he gets a full, deep breath when he takes one. They are able to monitor his heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen levels and his respiratory rate. They monitor and control the % oxygen he is given through his c-pap and started out around 35%. “Room air” is 21 % oxygen. They told us he’d likely tire out and need to move to a ventilator. My response was, “You don’t know how many people are praying for him!” Now 5 days later, 6-17 as of about 1 PM he is breathing room air with a nasal cannula.

As far as feeding him, his life is being sustained by 3 IV drips; proteins, lipids, and electrolytes. They are introducing mother’s milk to him to “prime his gut” and help get everything working. It hasn’t been as successful and they have backed off to give him more time. They are planning to re-introduce milk this afternoon 6-17.

God is amazing and the love and support shown to us by friends and family has been truely amazing.

-dad