I’m beside myself.
Kimberly and I lost our second son on January 26th, 2006. Kim was in her first trimester… Matthew had triploidy and an additional 15th chromosome. When we lost him, because he was so small, all of his remains were used in testing for these conditions. We were told, at the time, that the hospital was required to keep them for 10 years, as a part of the hospital record. The woman we spoke at the time was very understanding and she placed a note with his remains with our phone number and an explanation that after the 10 years were up they should call us so we could lay him to rest. It was an extremely difficult situation for us to be in, knowing we’d have to wait so long.
A few days ago I had this feeling I should call and make sure everything was “ok” with him. I called and didn’t get an immediate response, which is different. Two days ago I received a voicemail message from Spectrum Health Bereavement Services asking me to call the hospital. I wasn’t able to get a hold of them, but figured I knew what it meant. I was sure they’d lost him. Or they’d destroyed him. For the last two days my head has been swimming in agony trying to connect and find out what was going on.
They called this morning. They asked me exactly why I was calling and I explained the entire story from start to finish. She told me, “Well, all of what you said is true, but there’s been a misunderstanding…”
“Here it comes” I thought. Every possible horrible situation ran through my head… they lost him, they destroyed him, they were going to keep him another ten years…
she continued, “… if you come into the hospital and sign some forms we’ll release his remains to you, through a funeral home.”
They’re going to give him back. I get my son back. I get to lay him to rest, next to his sister.
I’m beside myself.
Proverbs 3:24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
