Setbacks

One of the great benefits of having an infertility-turned-pregnancy-turned-parenting-triplets-slash-still-infertile blog is that I "meet" a lot of people. Sometimes, it is also a great responsibility. People turn to me for advice, or assvice. People look to me because I've been there, done that, gotten to the other side. Sometimes I have answers, and sometimes, all I have are empathetic tears.

A little over a year ago, a lovely woman, who is blogless so I can't link you to her, contacted me with many questions about infertility, treatments, etc. She's a single woman who was trying to pursue her dream of motherhood while navigating the difficult medical care provided by our nation's military medical system. We have maintained an email relationship since. My friend did eventually become pregnant, and I rejoiced with her. I loved to see her belly-shots. I loved reading her emails about impending baby showers. I loved hearing of her plans for when her baby would come home with her.

I was devastated in January when her beautiful baby girl was born at 24 weeks, but rejoiced that baby girl, B, survived and was making continuous improvement. B has had a rocky road in the NICU, though. She had to have one of her arms amputated below the elbow. She spent a long time on a ventilator. She was under 2 pounds when she was born. But the important thing was that she was improving.

Today, I received this email:

My daughter B is going through a major rough patch right now. Just as I was preparing to bring her home she had a set back. B has severe chronic lung disease because of being so premature and lungs not being mature enough to function normally. As a result she was put on steroids but the steroids caused her heart to thicken and she had to be placed back onto the ventilator.

I'm requesting special prayer for B as she travels down this difficult road. Please pray for strength & healing so that I may hold my Angel again one day soon.

I know you all have very busy lives, and I know many of you haven't even been able to achieve motherhood yet, so it must be very difficult to think of someone else's baby while going through such difficult times. I know some of you aren't religious, and some of you are. If you have a moment when you read this, please say a prayer, or think a thought, for little B. She's been in the NICU for so long already.

We have so many hopes and dreams for her future, but most importantly, right now, what I want is for my friend to be able to hold her baby girl in her arms again.

According to the March of Dimes, 500,000 babies are born prematurely each year. I was lucky with my three, but I'm painfully aware of HOW lucky we were. I sincerely hope that it is true that, as the MoD envisions, someday, all babies will be born healthy. Until then, please include B in your thoughts for a speedy recovery.

Comments

[Christie]

Wow. That's awful. She must be a strong woman. Anyone who has had babies in the NICU can understand how scary it is every single day. I'll keep her and Baby B in my prayers.Christiemcgoverntrio.blogspot.com

[the schirano triplets]

i hope that baby b is better and in her mama's arms soon. i will be praying for both of them.

[Chris]

Loads of prayers heading her way. I can't imagine...

[Steph]

This story sure touched my heart. Your friend is in my prayers.

[The Dunn Family]

I am sending positive vibes and thoughts for both your friend and her baby.

[My Reality]

I hope little B recovers quickly and she can be back in her mother's arms soon.

[Cindy amp; Brian]

I am (tearfully) praying! That makes me so grateful and humble. I need to go hug my babies.You are an amazing supportive friend Karen.

[tara]

sending prayers her way!

[Joy]

I will be praying for B and her mommy. What a difficult journey...my thoughts are with them.

[Carol]

I will be thinking of your friend and hoping the best for her precious baby. I can't imagine the daily heartache she must be going through.