"We love you mummy." These words, scrawled with a black marker by his five-year-old son, continues to pierce the heart of Lorne Ramsoomair, almost three weeks after his wife, Chrystal, died while undergoing a Caesarean section at the San Fernando General Hospital.Since the death, Lorne, 45, has been trying to comfort his three children- Christian, five, Sarah, 18 months and new-born baby, Danielle.Holding Danielle gently against his chest, Lorne said he could offer no words of solace.
"I told my son that God had asked mummy to come to Heaven to be a guardian angel and she had agreed and although he cannot see her she is watching over us all," Lorne said.Based on his beliefs as a Presbyterian, he said he had refused to use the word "death" when speaking about Chrystal.He said Christian had become more angry and aggressive since the demise. Sarah, however, did not want to be left alone and continued to stay in his arms whenever he was home, he added.Saying Chrystal, 29, was his soulmate and the source of his happiness during their seven-year marriage, Lorne said her pregnancy and subsequent death were sudden.
With tears brimming on his eyes, Lorne said they were never told by any doctor that a third Caesarian was considered high risk."Thousands of people around the world have had a third Caesarian and it is done successfully, so we never believed it would end this way," Lorne cried.He admitted to owing over $12,000 in medical fees at the Surgi-Med and Gulf View Medical Complex but vowed to repay every cent. Chrystal gave birth to her two children, via Caesarian, at these institutions.However, because they could not afford it, Lorne said they both took the decision to have the baby at the San Fernando Hospital, believing there were enough equipment and experienced staff to facilitate the process.Lorne explained that when Chrystal died on March 4, part of him also died.
"I cannot explain how I feel. I will wear our wedding rings until I die. I will mind my three children and make sure they are well educated. They are my life now," he said.Lorne has hired two assistants to help him care for the children. One of them, Donna Stewart, cares for the baby during the day.Lorne, who opened his own business, CLC Enterprises, last year, said he was surviving on his savings at present. He dismissed rumours he was suicidal and did not confirm whether he was proceeding with legal action."No amount of money could bring her back. I have not spoken to any attorney. All I want is some closure on this matter. I want to know how my wife died," Lorne said.He added he met Chrystal in 2003 when he worked as a manager with TGI Fridays, Chaguanas.Lorne explained he had never been in love before he met her and life without her was dismal.
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Dr Jehan Ali, who treated Chrystal Boodoo-Ramsoomair during her ninth to 35 weeks of pregnancy, said the only high risk in a sense attached to her case was that she would have had two previous C-section, neither of which he was involved.Ali referred her to the San Fernando General to have her delivery.He said: "Her third pregnancy was not complicated. If someone who never had a C-section but has a severe heart disease or fibroids or the baby may be breeched, then that person would be considered high risk."But in competent hands, the risk becomes almost equal as a normal delivery."In first world countries, the risk of C-section is almost the same as that of a normal delivery. That is why people are now requesting C-sections to deliver their babies.In an international study, female obstetricians were asked how they would like to have their babies and 30 percent opted for C-section.C-section is almost safe as having a normal delivery once that person is fit.