The Miracle

I have a son who is now 5. He was born 12 weeks premature. When he was born, the doctors told me and my husband that the odds were not in his favor. We were told he had a 12% chance to survive. And IF he did survive, he had a 99% chance that he would be a vegetable or have serious health issues.
I was afraid to bond with him. I didn't think he would make it, until the day I was released from the hospital and had to leave without my baby. My husband took me to the NICU when we were leaving. The nurse was telling me that he hadn't been able to open his eyes yet and he probably wouldn't for a while. I opened the little isolette window and starting talking to him... and he opened one eye!!! I was thrilled!! My baby heard MY voice and was trying to see me!! After that, I was hooked. I became a permanent fixture beside his bed.

At 1lb 13oz my son began to prove the doctors wrong. He was tough and he was a fighter.
When he was 6 weeks old, I finally got to hold him. The first time ever, as I wasn't able to even touch him before now because of how undeveloped even his skin was. I remember holding him for hours in the NICU and when I had to put him back in his isolette bed, I kissed his forehead. He had never been kissed before and he scrunched his face up like he was confused.
At 9 weeks old he finally came off the ventilator. He had a lot of trouble learning how to breathe on his own and we had to go back and forth with support from the vent.
He also had difficulty with reflux. Not your typical baby spit up - we are talking serious heart stopping gagging. I remember holding him after he had eaten (through a tube) and he stopped breathing and turned grey. I yelled for the nurse, she revived him. Eventually we learned that this was because his heart was stopping when he was refluxing. We had to have a g-tube placed in his stomach so he could get nourishment.
Finally - after 12 weeks old, and 4 days after his due date - my little miracle baby came home. He was just over 5lbs and 3 months old.
He thrived at home. We got the tube out and now he is just your typical rambunctious 5 year old boy. But we will never forget, even though he has, how precious his life is and how many people fought to save it. We are forever grateful for all the doctors and nurses and all the prayers. I really believe our big guy would not be here today if not for the prayer and the grace of God. Never lose hope.

Submitted by Anonymous

Encouragement