An Experience We Will Always Cherish
Date: July 28, 2008

Mike and Julie Motes were overjoyed when they learned they were expecting their first child on Valentine’s Day, but that initial joy was replaced with questions and concern when they were told their daughter had a chromosomal abnormality–Trisomy 18–that in most cases is inconsistent with life.

Because of the potential for complications, the couple had considered Northside Hospital for their daughter’s birth, but instead chose Floyd.

“We wanted her to be treated with dignity and respect,” Mike said. “We knew what the outcome would be and wanted her to have the best care, but without any heroic efforts.”

From the beginning, Mike said, the physicians and staff at Floyd were, in his words, “amazing.”

“Dr. Dana Cason spent a lot of time with us, answered so many questions and helped us to prepare for delivery,” he said.

The neonatologist provided clinical expertise as well as very personal guidance, giving the couple guidance on items they should consider bringing with them to the hospital to chronicle this difficult, yet special occasion.

“She suggested we should bring a camera, clothes, clay for hand and foot prints and even songs for memorial services,” Mike said. “These proved to be invaluable for us.”

As the holidays approached, the couple was encouraged with recent sonograms indicating the heart defects that often accompany Trisomy 18 did not appear to be as severe as physicians first feared.
“Everything was looking like we would be able to carry her to term,” Mike said, but that changed the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

On November 22, Julie began experiencing what she thought were Braxton-Hicks contractions and spoke with her obstetrician, Dr. Mary Ellen Thompson. Dr. Thompson suggested Julie go to Floyd to be admitted. Julie, who was barely 6 months into her pregnancy, was in labor.

The Motes’ daughter was born the next day.

Her parents chose the name Ava for her. It means “breath of life.”

Mike recalls the range of emotions he and Julie felt as they held their baby daughter.

 “It is bittersweet to hold your first child knowing that you will not have her long enough to show and tell her all the joys life can offer,” Mike said.

Ava died soon after she was born.

“They were so kind to Ava–even after she passed,” Mike said. Staff members brought warm blankets to keep Ava warm.

“That meant so much,” he said. “The care we received was beyond our expectations.”

Mike said his family never wanted for anything while at Floyd and he said the staff anticipated needs like food, a place to sleep and towels for showers.

“These may be normal things, but they provided them before we could even ask,” Mike said. “We will always remember the staff and the care and love they gave us and our little girl.”

“My wife and I both work in healthcare. She is a pharmacist, and I am a nurse. So, we can understand what it takes to provide this kind of care. To say we are so glad Ava was born at Floyd would be an understatement. The care and love the staff provided us truly touched our hearts. They have for all time impacted our lives and made what could have been an unpleasant experience for us into one we will always cherish.”

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