(For the next week while I'm away from the computer enjoying the wilderness that is Alaska, I'll be sharing posts that led to the miracle baby boy we call Elias. I'll be writing live again on August 1st. Until then please enjoy these glimpses into the past few years.)
Febuary 12, 2004: My dear friends, besides one failed attempt at a journal entry this is the first time I've been able to write since our son Elias was born twelve days ago on February 2, at 3:04 in the morning.
After my water broke and a terrifying ride to the hospital, I was rushed into the OR and had an emergency C-section in twelve minutes. If our doctor hadn’t moved closer to the hospital Elias wouldn’t have made it. He had a traumatic start to his life, trying to come out with one leg and the other folded under him. The first doctor that spoke to me after the surgery told me that he was alive but she wasn't sure about his chance for survival.
It is now twelve days later and he has had more medical procedures then most adults experience in a lifetime. But he is still alive and fighting.
I have lived years in these past twelve days and bed-rest seems like a luxury vacation compared to the mixture of grief, hope, fear, love, helplessness, and amazement, I now know. I'm not yet ready to share everything that has happened during this time but just know right now our only stability is instability and I am praying to every higher power I can conjure up.
I will try to write more
when I can. I am open to phone calls but if you don’t catch me I may not call
back. Not because I don’t love you and need your support, I just can’t predict
where my head and heart will be. What I do need is everyone to send hope in our
direction
I think only another mother of a preemie could find that picture beautiful. Others might find it amazing, miraculous, inspiring, or even horrifying, but I look at that picture and see a beautiful baby boy!
Erin
Posted by: Erin | July 27, 2006 at 08:47 AM
Elias has sure come a long way. What a wonder boy he is!
Posted by: Zanna | July 27, 2006 at 10:31 AM
Wow. He had great skin. He was as beautiful then as he is now.
Posted by: amy | July 28, 2006 at 02:15 PM
For some reason, that whole post just made me cry. I'm so glad he's doing so well!
Posted by: Shrinkingmom | July 30, 2006 at 03:24 PM
What a beautiful boy!! I agree with Erin. You just can't appreciate such a pic unless you have had a preemie. I have a miracle boy as well. God Bless You and your family!
Posted by: LYnn | July 31, 2006 at 04:23 PM