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Dying dad sees tot after induced labor
Source: Agencies |
February 14, 2012, Tuesday
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DIANE Aulger was about two weeks from her delivery date when she and her husband decided there was no time to wait: Mark Aulger had only days to live, and he wanted to see his child.
Diane Aulger had her labor induced and gave birth to their daughter on January 18. When tiny Savannah was placed in his arms, Mark Aulger "cried, and he just looked very sad," Diane said. Mark died five days later from complications related to his cancer treatment.
The 52-year-old Texas man was diagnosed with colon cancer in April. He had surgery and, as a precaution, six months of chemotherapy, Diane Aulger said. With no signs of cancer showing up in follow-up tests, the treatment seemed successful.
Then in November, Mark began having trouble breathing. By January 3, he was sick enough to go to the emergency room. His wife said he was told the chemotherapy had caused him to develop pulmonary fibrosis, which causes scarring and thickening in the lungs.
Initially, the Aulgers were hopeful. "He thought he'd be coming home in a few days with an oxygen tank," said Diane Aulger, who lives in The Colony, about 35 kilometers north of Dallas, United States.
But on January 16, the doctor delivered more bad news: Mark's condition was fatal. When Diane Aulger asked how long her husband had, the response was a sobering five or six days.
"Mark said, 'I'd like to see the baby'," the 31-year-old mother said on Sunday.
Their baby was due on January 29, and Diane had planned a natural childbirth, but when the doctor suggested an induced labor, she immediately agreed. She was already experiencing pre-labor symptoms, and they scheduled the birth for January 18. Hospital staff arranged for the Aulgers to share a large labor and delivery room.
"Our beds were side by side," Diane said.
Mark held his daughter for about 45 minutes after she was born. For the next couple of days, though, he was so tired he was only able to hold her a couple of times for a minute or so. She said he slipped into a coma on January 21 and died two days later.
Along with Savannah, the Aulgers have two other kids, ages 10 and 7.
Diane also has a 15-year-old and a 13-year-old.
"We're living day-to-day as if dad's still here," she said. "We know dad is here with us. They talk to dad. Mark was a very funny, funny dad."
Diane Aulger had her labor induced and gave birth to their daughter on January 18. When tiny Savannah was placed in his arms, Mark Aulger "cried, and he just looked very sad," Diane said. Mark died five days later from complications related to his cancer treatment.
The 52-year-old Texas man was diagnosed with colon cancer in April. He had surgery and, as a precaution, six months of chemotherapy, Diane Aulger said. With no signs of cancer showing up in follow-up tests, the treatment seemed successful.
Then in November, Mark began having trouble breathing. By January 3, he was sick enough to go to the emergency room. His wife said he was told the chemotherapy had caused him to develop pulmonary fibrosis, which causes scarring and thickening in the lungs.
Initially, the Aulgers were hopeful. "He thought he'd be coming home in a few days with an oxygen tank," said Diane Aulger, who lives in The Colony, about 35 kilometers north of Dallas, United States.
But on January 16, the doctor delivered more bad news: Mark's condition was fatal. When Diane Aulger asked how long her husband had, the response was a sobering five or six days.
"Mark said, 'I'd like to see the baby'," the 31-year-old mother said on Sunday.
Their baby was due on January 29, and Diane had planned a natural childbirth, but when the doctor suggested an induced labor, she immediately agreed. She was already experiencing pre-labor symptoms, and they scheduled the birth for January 18. Hospital staff arranged for the Aulgers to share a large labor and delivery room.
"Our beds were side by side," Diane said.
Mark held his daughter for about 45 minutes after she was born. For the next couple of days, though, he was so tired he was only able to hold her a couple of times for a minute or so. She said he slipped into a coma on January 21 and died two days later.
Along with Savannah, the Aulgers have two other kids, ages 10 and 7.
Diane also has a 15-year-old and a 13-year-old.
"We're living day-to-day as if dad's still here," she said. "We know dad is here with us. They talk to dad. Mark was a very funny, funny dad."
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