Amazing Gracie

Premature baby keeps proving doctors wrong

September 4, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

CALHOUN FALLS — Today shouldn’t be Gracie Lane-Marie Whidby’s birthday.
The little girl, with big, blue eyes and a contagious smile, was born Sept. 4, 2005.
But her arrival to the world came sooner than her parents, Jared and Amanda Whidby, expected — almost three months too soon, to be exact.
Amanda’s due date with Gracie, her third child, was scheduled for late November 2005, but her pregnancy lasted only 27 weeks. Amanda said the months following the birth were filled with fears and complications for her newest daughter, though a strong faith in God helped the family move through the difficult times.
Today, Gracie seems like a normal child, laughing and giggling as she crawls across the floor to reach for a favorite toy or play with her siblings, Tyler, 5, and Emmalee, 3.
For those who don’t know Gracie, it seems hard to believe she is the same child who weighed less than 2 pounds at birth and the same child whoM doctors had given only a 20 percent chance of living through her first night, her family said.
“Just looking at her, she’s growing so fast,” Amanda said, watching her daughter. “It seems like just yesterday that all this happened and she has come so far.”

AMANDA SAID SHE began to have complications with her pregnancy about a month before Gracie was born, adding that she had regular contractions during that time, though there was no pain.
“I woke up one morning ... and I knew something was wrong,” Amanda said.
Amanda said she went to Self Regional Medical Center, where doctors gave her an antibiotic she needed because of a heart condition.
Though she had taken the medicine while pregnant with her other two children, this time the antibiotic sent Amanda into an anaphylactic shock, she said.
“That is when everything started going downhill,” she said. “My husband said my body turned red and my organs started itching from the inside out. The reaction almost killed me.”
Amanda said the doctors lost Gracie’s heartbeat during the allergic reaction, adding that her husband had only minutes to make a decision to take the baby or wait to see what would happen. “He decided right then to take the baby to help save my life and hers, too,” Amanda said.
But Gracie was born without a heartbeat, Amanda said, and doctors had to work for two minutes on the infant, performing chest compressions to resuscitate her. Afterward, Gracie was placed on a ventilator. Amanda said the medical staff cautioned the family that Gracie’s time without a heartbeat could have caused brain damage or other complications.
“The doctor told me, ‘I’m not looking for this to be good,’” Amanda said.
Though she wasn’t immediately able to see Gracie in person, Amanda said the family showed her pictures of her daughter. The photos, she said, were not a relief.
“When I finally got to see her (in person) ... I had a peace that everything was going to be OK,” she said.
Amanda was able to go home from the hospital soon after the birth, though she had to leave Gracie behind. A few days later, the doctors told the family that Gracie’s heart valve had not closed properly.
The doctors said Gracie, unable to eat because of the condition, would have to be sent to Augusta for surgery, Amanda said.
“I was like, ‘Stop with the negativity,’” Amanda said. “I told them I knew it was their job, but just believe that she is going to be OK. ... I said I knew she was going to be fine. Just give it one more day.”
Amanda said she called family members and pastors at local churches, asking them to pray for her daughter. A day later, the doctor called. A final test before surgery showed that Gracie’s heart valve had closed.
“I was just sitting here (after hearing the news), and I had never had faith like that before,” Amanda said. “Whichever way it went, I knew God was going to take care of it. I had a wonderful feeling that everything was going to be OK despite what everybody else was telling me.”
Further tests showed that Gracie’s brain had not been damaged in the moments after birth when her heart had stopped working, Amanda said, but the child still remained in the hospital. Each day, the family made two trips from Calhoun Falls to Greenwood to see Gracie, and Amanda said local churches pooled money for the driving expenses.
In late September, Gracie, who had been receiving nutrients through a feeding tube, began to have heart rate drops and problems with breathing, even while on a ventilator. To make matters worse, an infection had taken hold in the girl’s intestines, creating a serious and potentially deadly condition, Amanda said. On Sept. 21, Gracie was transferred from Greenwood to Augusta, where doctors planned to perform emergency surgery to save the child.
The surgery, Amanda said, never happened.
When Jared and Amanda arrived, their daughter had been taken to the pediatric unit for observation. The infection had passed, she said. “That was another miracle in itself because they couldn’t find any infection in her body,” Amanda said. “That was when they took her off the ventilator, and that was the first time I held her. It was an overwhelming emotion.”
But Gracie’s heart rate drops were still a problem, though Amanda said she had a feeling she knew what was causing them.
“I told them it was the feeding tube,” Amanda said, adding that the doctors finally removed the tube to allow Gracie to eat from a bottle. “After that, she didn’t have any heart rate drops, and I felt like it was because she got tired of that tube.”
In November, the doctors began to have concerns that Gracie’s eyes had not developed properly, and Amanda said doctors told the family that Gracie might have poor vision or even blindness.
“It seemed like every day there was something new she was fighting,” Amanda said. “Everybody wanted the best for her, but they were still focusing on the complications and what they would do to her. But before all this happened, I just had a feeling that everything would be fine. I can’t explain it.”
Amanda said she began to attend Bible study in Greenwood and she asked the group to pray for Gracie. On the day of the tests, the group’s prayers had been answered, Amanda said, and Gracie’s eye tests came back normal.

ON NOV. 22, NEARLY three months after her birth and close to Amanda’s original due date, Gracie was able to come home from the hospital.
The stay, however, wouldn’t be for long.
Just after Thanksgiving, Gracie began to have heart rate drops and breathing problems. She was taken back to Greenwood, Amanda said, where chest X-rays showed the little girl had developed a viral infection in her lungs. Amanda said the physician on duty told her that Gracie would have to be flown to Greenville for treatment.
“I was scared by then. I told them I wanted to hold her one last time before she went, and I kissed her and told her I loved her,” Amanda said. “When I did that, she stopped having her heart rate drop and (breathing problems).”
With a laugh, Amanda added, “They said, ‘Mom, have you ever ridden in a helicopter before?’”
Amanda said the flight team wanted her to ride with Gracie to keep the child out of distress during the flight.
“It was a rather windy day and there was a lot of turbulence, which was scary,” Amanda said, “but just to see the sun shining down on everything ... it was beautiful and it was exciting, and we had a safe trip there.”
Once again, Gracie proved the doctors wrong, Amanda said, and the little girl’s condition started improving rather than declining while in Greenville. She was there for six days before she was released.
Since then, Amanda said, Gracie’s life has been filled with achievements, not complications. Though she is physically three months behind her age, the toddler has already mastered crawling and sitting up, and she is working with an early intervention specialist to bring her up to speed with other children her age. She celebrated her first birthday with her family at a party on Saturday.
“Every goal we’ve set, she has met it before we said she would,” Amanda said. “She is so smart. She is taking all this stuff in and just working it out.”
Gracie’s grandmother, Ann Whidby, said the past year has been a difficult journey for the family, though it is one that has given them a precious gift.
“I think Gracie is just a little miracle from God,” Ann Whidby said. “She has come through so much and really scared us all several times, but God has been there answering prayers all the time.”
Amanda said she and Jared are still amazed each day by how amazing Gracie truly is.
“There is a special purpose for her life, because if there wasn’t, she wouldn’t be here now,” Amanda said. “She is just a blessing, and we still take it for granted. To stop and think about it is life-changing.”

Claude R. Beckham

WATERLOO — Claude Richard Beckham, 90, of 52 Oak Hollow Road, husband of Glena Arlene Griffin Beckham, died Saturday, September 02, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Williamsburg County, he was a son of the late William and Ada Cornelia Beckham. Mr. Beckham was the owner of Beckham Floor Covering, a member of the Masonic Lodge 91 and a member of Harris United Methodist Church.
He was predeceased by a son, Bobby Lynn Beckham.
Surviving is his wife of the home; two daughters, Brenda Ellison of Greenwood and Claudette Coursey of Spartanburg; a daughter-in law Melba Beckham of Denton, TX; five grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and four great great grandchildren.
Services will be 4:00 PM Tuesday at Harley Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jacob Workman officiating. Entombment will be held at Greenwood Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.
Pallbearers will be Kyle Beckham, Keith Beckham, Richard Coursey, Craig Ellison, Nelia Dolan, Will Dolan, Ryan Coursey and Taylor Coursey.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home before the service on Tuesday from 3:00 until 4:00 PM.
Memorials may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
The family is at the home.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com

Dennis C. Burnett

KINARDS — Dennis Craig Burnett, 54, of 2558 Whitmire Hwy., died Sunday, Sept. 3, 2006 at his home.
Born in Wichita Falls, Texas, he was a son of the late John Burnette and Marietta Collins Burnette Sutton, was a US Army Veteran of Vietnam, retired from Torrington Co. and was a member, Sunday School Teacher and choir member of Fairview Baptist Church.
Surviving are his wife, Freeda Moats Burnett of the home; step-mother, Joan Burnette Wagner of Waterloo; two brothers, Kevin Burnette of North Augusta and Shane Burnette of Greenwood; two step-brothers, Phil Malpass of Joanna and Ronnie Malpass of Chappells; half-brother, Robert Eustace of Greenwood; step-sister, Lou Ann Tilley of Cross Hill, and two nieces, Amber Burnette and Crystal Brewer.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, September 5, 2006 at 4:00 PM at The Kennedy Mortuary Chapel conducted by Rev. Mark Bernshausen with burial in Pinelawn Memory Gardens.
The family will be at the residence and will receive friends Monday from 6:00 to 8:30 PM at The Kennedy Mortuary.
Memorials may be made to Fairview Baptist Church Brotherhood and WMU, 4443 Indian Creek Rd., Kinards, SC 29355.
The Kennedy Mortuary, Laurens

Jackie E. Edwards

NINETY SIX — Jackie E. Edwards, 72 of 211 Little Mountain Rd. died Friday September 1, at Hospice House.
Born in Greenwood Co, a daughter of the late James Edwards, Sr and Ella Mae Booker Edwards. She retired from Greenwood Mills and was a member of Pine Pleasant Baptist Church where she served on the Missionary Society and the Inspirational Gospel Chorus.
Survivors include four brothers, Rev. James Edwards of Augusta, Ga, Grady Edwards of Belton, Calvin Edwards of Greenwood and Samuel Edwards of Wash. DC, one aunt, Elizabeth Holloway of Greenwood.
Services will be held Wednesday at 1:00 at Pine Pleasant Baptist Church with Rev. Ernest Cannon officiating. Burial will be in the church cem.
Pallbearers will be Trustees and Deacons of the church. Flowerbearers will be the Missionary Society. Honorary escort will be Brewer Class of 1955.
The body will be placed in the church at 12 noon.
The family is at the home, 211 Little Mountain Rd, Ninety Six.
Percival-Tompkins is in charge.

Nesbert Glaze

ABBEVILLE — Nesbert Griffith Glaze 89 of 26 Hanover Court widow of Johnny Glaze died Sunday, September 03, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Saluda County, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Rebecca Griffith. She was twice married, first to the late Floyd Cockrell. Mrs. Glaze was retired from Greenwood Mills’ Ninety Six Plant and a member of New Life Pentecostal Holiness Church in Hodges.
Surviving are six grandchildren, Susan Farmer of Abbeville, Shannon Pursley, Justin Cockrell, Lindy Williams, Joshua Cockrell, and Kasey Cockrell, all of TX; and seven great grandchildren.
Services will be 2:00 PM Wednesday at Harley Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Phillip Morris officiating. Burial will follow at Red Bank Baptist Church Cemetery in Saluda.
Pallbearers will be Gerald Cockrell, Robert Godfrey Jr., Brandon Farmer, Jared Farmer, Keith Eidson and Joe New.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday at the funeral home from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 West Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.
The family is at the home.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Annie Ruth Morton

Mrs. Annie Ruth Warren Morton, 71, wife of Roy Mac Morton, of 526 Apt. 5 Sumter Street, died Sunday, September 3, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Bradley, she was the daughter of the late Jesse and Sarah McDaniel Warren. She was a member of Cross Road Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband of Greenwood; two sons, Jimmy Morton of the home and Willie James Morton of Greenwood; two daughters, Sarah Moates and Madelon Cohen, and a step-daughter, Melissa Leverette, all of Greenwood; a sister, Emma Mae Wright of Greenwood; two sister-in-laws, Frances Warren and Marion Brown, both of Greenwood; fourteen grandchildren; two reared in the home, Dana Morton and Alex Morton; and eight great-grandchildren.
The family is at the home and the home of her daughter, 525 Sumter Street.
Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc. is in charge.

Charles Peppers

NINETY SIX — Charles S. Peppers, 62 of 214 Park Street died Saturday, September 02, 2006.
Born in Atlanta, GA, he is a son of Rev. James E. and Elizabeth Tate Peppers. He was a US Navy Veteran of the Viet Nam Conflict, a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign War and a member of the American Legion Post #103. Mr. Peppers was a construction worker and he attended Ninety Six Church of God.
Surviving is his parents of the Ninety Six, a son Stephen Peppers of Marion VA; a brother, Alan Kelley Peppers of Ninety Six; and a granddaughter, Brittany Peppers of Marion, VA.
Services will be 2:00 PM Tuesday at Harley Funeral Home Chapel with the Reverend Ronald Chavis officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Charles Slack, Donald Goldman, Donnie Davis, Tim Whitman, John Robards, Jack Walker, Eugene Hancock, and Terry Gilbert.
The family will receive friends on Monday at the funeral home from 6:00 until 8:00 PM.
The family is at the home.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Israel is right to insist on U. N. ‘security’ first

September 4, 2006

Putting things in the right perspective makes all the difference in the world. United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan should know that, of course, but apparently he hasn’t grasped that concept.
The other day Annan, while on an official tour of the Middle East, said Israel’s sea and air blockade of Lebanon was a “humiliation.” How humiliating is it? Put it in the right perspective and it ought to tell Mr. Annan something.
How many times have Iran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iraq’s Saddam Hussein and selected other despots told the U. N. where to go with its resolutions, and with impunity?

AHMADINEJAD IS STILL doing it. When that’s put in the proper perspective, how could anything be more humiliating?
As far as Israel’s blockade is concerned, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Annan he would allow free movement into Lebanon only after complete implementation of a U. N.-brokered cease-fire that ended 34 days of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah guerrillas. He also insisted that two Israeli soldiers kidnapped by Hezbollah would have to be freed.
Israel, at this point, is on solid ground in refusing Annan’s demands. It has been burned too many times to take anybody at his word.

HISTORY IS ON ISRAEL’S side, too. Despite everything, its enemies insist Israel has no right to even exist and that they will do everything in their power to destroy it. Under the circumstances, Israel would be foolish to unilaterally let its guard down.
The U. N. has spoken. Now, let it act to assure the security of the people of Israel and Lebanon. The U. N.’s word is only as good as its determination to be a force for peace, not only in the Middle East, but in the world. It is far away from South Carolina, to be sure. Nevertheless, the state of the world being what it is, distance is no defense for anyone, even in the Palmetto State. So far the U. N. has fallen considerably short in living up to its stated mission. Is it a respected power? How could it be when it fails.
The U. N. should be humiliated. It has earned that distinction. And Israel must stick by its guns.