The Most Difficult Wait Of My Life

by Lyn
(Grand Forks, ND)

Everyone who has a child is truly blessed, but you don't realize just how strong that blessing is until you almost lose it.

My second daughter, Serena, was born 14 weeks premature. My wife has suffered from Preclampsia through each of her three pregnancies, but the condition was much worse during her second pregnancy.

The doctors thought it was under control, but one night, 14 weeks from her due date, my wife was rushed to the emergency room in the middle of the night. Her kidneys were shutting down due to the Preclampsia and they had to perform an emergency Cesarean.

My wife's body quickly returned to normal after the surgery so the new worry was for my daughter. At birth, she only weighed 4 lbs. I remember holding her for the first time. She barely fit in the palm of my hand.

It was very painful only being able to hold her for 5 minutes before she had to be put back into the incubator. She stayed in the ICU of the hospital for 4 weeks, but she grew healthy and strong while she was there.

She actually came home on our oldest daughters' second birthday. To this day, she still says that her little sister was the best birthday present she has ever had. Serena is now a healthy 6-year-old and is a wonderful, bright-eyed little girl.

Every day I thank God that she turned out fine.