This is the story of one miraculous child, a true Christmas miracle story. It all began for Haley Ledbetter and her husband of two years, Derick, during last Feburary’s ice and snow storm. Haley had been experiencing facial pain that led her to the emergency room at Habersham Medical Center. Dr. Jim Hamilton was on duty and asked her if she could be pregnant. Haley shrugged him off and told him “no.” Due to complications from the birth control device, Mirena, Haley had been told she wouldn’t be a mother. The certainty of the diagnosis led her to stop birth control all together, it didn’t seem necessary. Two hours later, Dr. Hamilton came back with test results and informed Haley that she was, in fact, 11 weeks pregnant. “I was squalling, I was so shocked,” said Haley. Derick smiles and says, “it was fantastic.”
That is miracle number one
The very next week, Haley, who was a CNA at the hospital, started having complications. She was told that she had placenta previa and would not carry to term and would likely lose the baby. Several days later at a followup, no signs of the placenta previa was found. She had some spotting and was put on bed rest.
That was miracle number two
At 20 weeks, Haley went into early labor. At the hospital, the baby was already crowning. Dr. Tommy Hatchett delivered the grave news that the child would likely not make it. The next morning, Haley was dilated at 3 centimeters but still holding on. Dr. Hatchett made a call and performed an emergency cervical cerclage, basically stitching the cervix closed. Haley remained in the hospital two weeks and then went back and forth during the third week. She remained pregenant.
Miracle number three
On June the 7th, Haley’s water broke and she was sent down to Northside Hospital in Atlanta. She was 24 weeks pregnant. Doctors at Northside tried to prepare her that the baby likely would not live, would not be able to breathe on his own and other dire warnings. Edward Colton Ledbetter was born on June 10, 2014. He weighed just 1 lb 9 oz and was 12.5 inches long. Colton was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) where he spent the first hour of his life on a ventilator.
Miracles numbers four and five
On July 17, 2014, Colton’s progress came to a halt. He had developed necrotizing enterocolotis. The Ledbetters were advised to take Colton off life support and then hold him while he left this life. The Ledbetters said “no.” Grandmother Cheryl Sumpter, a southern gospel singer, called every prayer line she could find. On July 20th, Colton was rushed across the street to Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital, in fear that his intestines had perforated. After an hour and a half, surgeons informed the family that Colton’s case was dire. They had removed 3/4 of his intestines and 1/2 of his bowel. The prognosis was grim, they advised the family that Colton would likely not last another two days. Once again, Colton hung on and gradually began to improve. Three months later, he was still improving.
Miracle number six
In October, concern was raised that Colton might have a blockage. A contrast study was attempted, but could not be completed. Doctors began to discuss the possibility of sending the family to Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia for an intestinal transplant. The decision was made to go into surgery, resolve the blockage and try to remove the colostomy bag by trying to reattach the tiny bit of intestines remaining. He only had 6cm after the emergency surgery. Once in the operating room, the surgeon was shocked. Colton no longer had 6cm of intestine. He had almost 60cm and had regrown his bowel completely. The surgery was sucessful and no transplant was needed.
Miracle number seven
Progress continued but the medical team advised the family that Colton would likely remain at the hospital until February, almost a year since Haley had discovered she was pregnant. At the Thanksgiving table, the Ledbetters got a call from the hospital. Pick a date in December, Colton was coming home!
Miracle number eight
On December 16, 2014, after 199 days in the hospital Colton Ledbetter and his parents left Atlanta. Habersham County Sherriff’s deputies met the van at the county line and escorted the family home. Colton snuggled into his crib at his Grandparents’ house weighing 11lbs 2oz and measuring 22 inches.
Now Habersham was there for the homecoming. Colton looks like a newborn, his pj’s hiding the scars of his ordeal. His eyes are locked onto a mobile and he’s fighting sleep. His little hand clutches my little finger, just like my nieces and nephews did. He has special needs nurses 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. He wears a sleep apnea heart monitor, a feeding tube and a central line for IVs. He has a long road ahead of him. On the first night of Hanukkah, which celebrates the miracle of the one night supply of oil lasting for eight days, Colton celebrated his eight miracles at home, surrounded by his parents, his Grandparents and his Great-Grandmother. The faith of his family, like the faith of the Maccabees of the Old Testatment, surrounds him and lifts him through his trials.
The family had been living at the Ronald McDonald house in Atlanta. Derick, a graduate of Rabun County High School trained to be a diesel mechanic during his four year stint in the Marines. He found a job in Atlanta. He’s looking to find something closer that won’t require five hours on the road away from his family. Derick has VA insurance, Haley is still on her parents’ insurance and Colton has Medicaid. Insurance covers a lot but the expenses are high and will likely continue for a long time. Haley will stay at home to care for her son.
The family has started a GoFund me account at GoFundMe.com as Baby Colton Ledbetter. An account at South State bank has been opened under Baby Colton Benefit. Checks can be deposited at the bank or by sending checks made out to Baby Colton Benefit to 335 Alec Mountain Rd, Clarkesville, 30523.
