TORRINGTON — Forty years ago — on June 20, 1978 — my husband, Don, and I arrived at the new Torrington Hospital for the delivery of our third child. We had driven over from Wheatland that morning and expected a routine delivery, although I had certainly gotten much larger than with my previous two children, Darren Joseph born Nov. 30, 1973, in Torrington and Dalee Ilene born Sept. 2, 1975, in Wheatland. I was often teased that I must be having twins, but during my medical appointments, only one heartbeat was heard even as I was admitted and checked at the hospital.
The afternoon dragged on and around 6 that evening, Dr. Rodney Ray Rutt arrived, rather miffed that he was going to miss his daughter’s ball game. But things were moving so slowly, he left to attend it anyway.
It wasn’t until after midnight June 21 that things really started to happen. I was finally taken to the delivery room and our son was born, 21 1/2 inches, 7 pounds, 13 ounces at 1:22 a.m. However, it was quickly discovered that another baby was on the way. He was in a breech position and had to be delivered as quickly as possible. Thanks to the skill of Dr. Rutt, the delivery room staff and all other available hospital staff, including Dr. Volk, who just happened to be in the building, our second son, 20 inches, 8 pounds, 2 ounces, was born at 1:31 a.m.
While most of the medical staff were preoccupied caring for the surprise twins, we had another big surprise. A nurse standing near me said, “Oh my gosh, there’s another one!” Our third son, 21 inches, 7 pounds, 5 ounces, was born at 1:40 a.m.
