Letter to the Editor: Submitted by Joel and Emily Allen, Declan, Tiarnan, Sinead, Eamonn, and Aoife Théresé
To the Editor:
My wife, Emily and I have spent the last few months traveling the world with four kids in tow. We live in Dubuque and both took this year off from work to become closer as a family. We visited six countries: Cuba, England, Scotland, Greece, Turkey and Jordan.
We left Jordan, skipping our last destination of Egypt, due to complications with my wife’s pregnancy. She was 35 weeks pregnant and we were in a remote desert in Jordan camping with a Bedouin tribe. At the onset of what she believed to be pre-term labor, we were determined to come home. After a wild story to get her cleared for travel, we took a 13-hour plane ride from Amman, Jordan to Chicago.
When we arrived home, Emily had a check-up for her and baby. At the appointment, we learned that baby was transverse. At the subsequent appointments, we learned that baby was breech. After many failed attempts to get baby to flip head down, we were told by our doctors that the only option was a Cesarean section.
C-sections are important, they have saved many lives, and we are so grateful to live in a country where they can be done very safely if needed. But, this was not part of our plan.
After consulting with the PT Emily was working with, she referred us to a local midwife, who then connected us to a doctor in Waukon named Dr. Schwartz. What we have come to find out is that Dr Schwartz is an institution in this town. Dr. Schwartz graciously took us on as a patient and has much experience delivering breech babies.
With that, Emily and I decided to move our family to Waukon, a town we have never been to, until the birth of our child. We stayed in an Airbnb right next to the hospital.
From the moment we arrived in Waukon, we have been welcomed by all. Our family would like to commend everyone that we met and all in your city for their hospitality.
We loved our time at the city park and the beautiful wellness center. We experienced the famous pizza at the movie theatre, which was a very unique and awesome experience. We spent most of our days at your local library, which was fantastic. We even got a library card so our kids could check out books!
Even more, when I went to buy a delivery present for Emily at Steel Cow, Val and her husband Josh invited our kids over for a play date! Time and again we have been met with hospitality and a welcoming spirit. At the library we met some new friends that exchanged cell phone numbers and told us to reach out if we are in need. Joanna Downing stopped at our Airbnb and dropped off freshly made food, a gift card to Fareway, and a gift basket for Emily.
Your hospital and clinic have been second to none. Our nurses, Dr. Schwartz, our midwife Katy, and all the support staff have been phenomenal. I get emotional recalling what started as a very stressful situation that was met with such care, compassion, and such skill.
We are so grateful for your town‘s hospitality, and all the people that are living here. Waukon is truly a special place and the Allens are forever grateful.
We have been lucky enough to meet hundreds of wonderful people all around the world, but there has not been a place quite as special as Waukon.
With warm love and regard,
Joel and Emily Allen, Declan, Tiarnan, Sinead, Eamonn, and newest addition Aoife Théresé
Dubuque
