Paula Kneeland

(UPDATED - This was more like our first Journal entry) On March 31st, 2017 at 3:42 pm our tenth and last child was born, Maxwell William Kneeland. He is an amazing baby and blessed us with a calm and low maintenance personality during his mom's trials.

The time of rejoicing only lasted a few seconds after his birth. His mom hemorrhage and lost a full pint of blood quickly (we have 4 in our body). The Dr's did their best to stop the bleeding, but couldn't. Paula was rushed to an operating room, put under anesthesia and operated on. A team of three doctors thought they had the bleeding under control, only to have more blood come gushing out. The only way to stop the bleeding was an emergency hysterectomy. She lost so much blood the doctors thought she would flat line during the operation even though she was receiving blood. We praise God He used these doctors to keep her alive. The Lord was watching over them all.
What happened is called a DIC. Paula's body essentially lost so much blood it could no longer clot.

The damages to her organs after that much blood loss were not initially known as she remained unconscious. At the time of writing this (April 1st, 3:17 AM) she lost all of her blood and had it replaced 1 1/2 times. Her blood levels were coming back, then fell again. She had so low of hemoglobin (3.6) and her heartbeat was so faint that she flat lined and "coded." CPR brought her back to life and she was quickly given needed platelets and other blood pressure meds. At the time of writing, she was still under anesthesia and on a breathing tube. Xrays revealed no broken ribs from CPR (AMAZING!).

As of 3 am April 1st her hemoglobin was at 8.9 which is good. However, this is only because of the 2 blood pressure meds she was receiving and units of blood she received. At 5 am Paula was re-checked and the plan was if she is somewhat close to that number they will airlift her to Minneapolis because Bemidji's blood bank can't support what she needs still. (this didn't happen, yet, as you will read in journal entries)

Please lift up this wonderful woman of God, this mother now of five boys and five girls. Ask the Lord to stabilize her blood (HE DID!!), spare her of any lasting damage (HE DID THIS TOO!!). This day was a whirlwind

The rest of the kids were cared for by Paula's mom. Maxwell was cared for by Paula's cousins, Pat and Tami Demo. I was with her brother and have been with other friends. 

We waited and prayed - "Those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary." Isaiah 40:31