Cruz Samuel Centeno

In the early hours of July 16, 2017 my water broke at 18 weeks pregnant.  For six weeks we were on bedrest trying to hold on until viability.  We were given less than a 5% chance of a favorable outcome.  Without amniotic fluid it would be very hard for his lungs to develop.  Any fluid that was regenerated would continue to leak.  However, we chose to hold onto hope that 5% still meant there was a chance to meet our little boy.  At 21.5 weeks Cruz was also diagnosed with hydrops. He had developed swelling in his abdomen and around his heart.  Our 5% chance dropped to “highly unlikely” he would survive.  It was crushing and scary.  We continued to lean on and trust God to get us through each day.  Meanwhile our OB and MFM continued to do everything they could to get us to viability.  At 23 weeks 5 days (August 24th) I was admitted to begin steroid shots to strengthen Cruz’s lungs.  The evening of August 24th a doctor from the NICU met with me and told me it was highly unlikely they would even be able to intubate Cruz if he was born in the next few weeks because he would be too small.

Around 2:00 a.m. on August 26, I began to bleed heavily and go into labor.  The OB began magnesium to protect Cruz’s brain and slow down the contractions. Later that morning, my MFM was concerned about placental abruption because my hemoglobin had dropped over 2 points overnight.  We were both highly at risk.  Cruz Samuel Centeno, 24 weeks old, was born at 1:11 p.m. on Saturday, August 26, 2017 weighing 1lb 7oz. and was 11.42 inches long.  The neonatologists were able to quickly get him intubated, stabilized and to the NICU.

Our son was beautiful and feisty.  He was loved on by nurses and doctors alike.  They would high-five his successes and comfort us in the dark times.  His doctor would check in on him when she was off work and the nurses would call in to see how he was doing.  We almost lost Cruz the night of August 29th due to a massive liver bleed.  While in the midst of intense grief, an EMT from the hospital went to a nearby gas station to bring us Diet Coke.  It was a simple yet profound gesture of love and support.  Friends and neighbors reached out with meals and encouragement.  Strangers prayed with us and for us.  Throughout this difficult time we continually witnessed the power of compassion and empathy.

For eight days we were given precious time with our son.  We hoped and prayed for more.  We prayed for a miracle.  However his lungs were just too little.  Late in the day on September 2nd Cruz began to have trouble maintaining his oxygen saturation.  Despite every attempt by doctors to change settings and use different ventilators, his condition continued to decline. His lungs began to fill with cysts.  Cruz Samuel Centeno passed quietly from this earth on the evening of Sunday, September 3, 2017.  He was held in the loving arms of his mommy and daddy and surrounded by the love and kisses of his half-siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncle.  He was deeply cherished.  He will forever be missed. The eight days we had with Cruz on this earth are irreplaceable.  In those short eight days he changed lives.  We know he changed ours.  He was simply beautiful and we are forever proud to be his family.  He will never be forgotten and we look forward to seeing him again someday. 

Cruz Samuel Centeno is survived by his loving parents, Chae and Jennifer Centeno; half-siblings, Jaron, Kaitlyn, Landon and Addison Mumm; his paternal grandparents, John and Jayne Centeno; his maternal grandparents, Dennis and Terri Gonnerman; his aunts and uncle, Jamie Gonnerman, Torrie Centeno and Josh and Melissa Gonnerman; and his cousins Allie and Milo Gonnerman. He was preceded in death by his half-sister, Hannah Grace Mumm.

Services will be held Saturday, September 9, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, IA. Burial will be at Waukee Cemetery.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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