My Miracle!

Sixteen years ago today, I was one frightened sixteen year old.

I had to be rushed to the hospital at 5 o'clock in the morning because the baby I was carrying decided it was time to meet the world - 2 months early!

Here I was a very unprepared child myself getting ready to bring a new life into the world!  I had no idea what was to come in the next several days, and neither did anyone else.  All I knew was my life was about to change forever.

It turns out that I had a very severe case of Toxemia and I was in labor!  I was also in shock.  She wasn't due to be born until December 24th and it was only November 5th.  This was eight weeks early.  The doctors explained to me that she would be very small and that there was a great possibility that she wouldn't have functioning lungs.  This was just the beginning of the list of what could be wrong with her.

I was devastated and began to prepare myself as best as possible for the baby that would be born too early.

Just six hours later she was here.

Kalene Marie
3 lbs 4 oz

They held her up to me so I could see her briefly before taking her out of the room to the special incubator that would be her home for several weeks to come. 

To my surprise this super tiny baby was completely healthy!  Besides the fact that she hadn't learned to suck yet which made a feeding tube necessary for a couple days, she was healthy and strong.

But her momma wasn't.

I was in a very bad state and the doctors were clueless as to how to care for me.  Over the next 2 weeks I was in isolation while the doctors poked and proded me to see why my blood pressure would not come down, my blood counts would not come up, and the extent of the paralysis I was experiencing due to the stroke I had at 16 years old.

My mom had me on every prayer chain she could get a hold of.

I was scheduled to have a bone marrow test, and I was terrified.  The doctor had my blood drawn at 3 am and nothing had changed.  The test would happen at 6 am.  Just before the procedure they decided to check one more time.

I was normal!

My blood pressure had returned to normal as did my blood counts.  I did not need to have the bone marrow test.  I was so relieved.

Also because of how sick I was, I was not able to see the baby I had given birth to two weeks earlier.  But now that everything had returned to normal I was able to not only see my baby, but hold her as well.  She had continued to grow strong and was able to come home with me a week later, just before Christmas!

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Happy Birthday to my miracle from God!  You have brought me so much joy with your smile and tender heart.  I am proud of the woman your are becoming, and I feel honored that the Lord has chosen for us to be together.

I thank you for all you have taught me about the Lord, myself, and others. And although at times you may feel that I'm treating you like a child, the truth is that I have enjoyed you so much that sometimes it's hard to let go.  I love you!