Daniel and Krystle Robinson want other couples who are looking to have children or who are pregnant to be aware.
Be aware of a Preeclampsia.
Daniel and Krystle, who have been married for 6 years, became pregnant with their first child 5 years ago. It was an exciting time for them and their families.
Krystle started to experience some swelling accompanied by epigastric pain and headaches. On Memorial Day weekend she called her doctor who told her she should just drink more water because of the heat.
Krystle knew something was not right however, she was already drinking water, and a lot of it.
“Finally, after being persistent, they had me come in for a non-stress test and have a urinalysis,” says Krystle.
The results of the urinalysis revealed a great deal of protein and Kyrstle’s blood pressure was also very high. Both are symptoms of Preeclampsia.
Within a few minutes the most exciting time of the newly married couple’s life turned into the worst moment of their lives.
At 26 weeks pregnant, Krystle was admitted to Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Buffalo where her condition worsened.
Krystle’s body and organs began to shut down and after a few days she now had severe Preeclampsia with HELLP Syndrome(Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes and Low platelets)
“It went down hill very fast,” says Krystle.
“I remember them saying, “We have to save Mom” as they were wheeling me down to the operating room.”
“They told my husband I was not expected to make it.”
On June 27, 2012, Brodi J. Robinson was born and passed away in Krystle’s arms a few hours later.
The family has always celebrated Brodi’s birthday with cupcakes and a balloon release each year, but this year is a big year, his 5th birthday, and Daniel wanted to do something big.
“It has been a lot of planning and a lot of heartache bringing up some old memories, but we figured we would do something good and help someone else out and donate to the Preeclampsia Foundation,” says Daniel.
The Robinsons held a pre-sale ticket chicken barbecue fundraiser at the Bethany Fire Recreation Hall on Saturday.
They created a Facebook event in December of 2016 and have been getting the word out by word of mouth. They sold about 150 tickets and also had a Chinese Auction and a 50/50 raffle.
(Steve Foster, co-owner, Red Osier and Missi Wray)
The Red Osier agreed to donate their time and service in making the chicken barbecue platters, and the Robinsons paid for the food.
50 % of the proceeds raised were donated in Brodi’s name, 25% in a relatives name and another 25% in a friends name.
Anyone looking to donate can visit the Preeclampsia Foundation site at www.preeclampsia.org
“Hopefully, we can help somebody else out and they don’t have to go through what we did, it was a very trying time.”
Krystle hopes to raise awareness so other women and their doctors are educated and they can find out early so measures can be taken to lower blood pressure and keep you pregnant longer.
Daniel and Krystle have a second child now, Laela, She is three years old.
The couple went through a specialist and Krystle was monitored closely in her second pregnancy.
She hopes that by the time Laela is old enough to have children things will change and more research will be done.
During the Saturday fundraiser, Shawn Hargrave, Krystle’s Mom, gave her a special gift that seemed to come about with a little help from Brodi above.
“He is in our minds all the time,” says Hargrave.
“There is no explanation for it.”
“I started a new job and there is information I need to remember and write down so I was going to go to the store to buy a little notebook. But then my husband remembered the green book in our bedroom on the stand. So I grabbed that to use it and as soon as I opened it up there was the first page that I came to. This was the green book that Krystle used to keep a daily record of her pregnancy. We carefully removed the page and found a double sided picture frame to fit it into.”
“It was perfect,” says Hargrave.
Hargrave says she found the page in the green book about two weeks ago.
“Brodi’s birthday was coming up and I think he just said, “Hey Grandma, you need to give this to Mom and Dad.”
(Krystle and Daniel receiving a special gift from Krystle’s Mom)
The couple is thinking about possibly continuing the event each year.
(Daniel and Krystle carry Brodi’s hand and footprints with them each day.)
“If this event helps even one person then we have succeeded,” says Krystle.
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The Preeclampsia Foundation Mission Statement
Our Mission is to reduce maternal and infant illness and death due to preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome, and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy by providing patient support and education, raising public awareness, catalyzing research and improving healthcare practices. We envision a world where preeclampsia no longer threatens the lives of mothers and babies.