A Miracle Baby

My baby girl, Serenity Kristine, was born at 26 weeks; 3 months early, 1 pound 12 1/2 ounces, and 12 1/2 inches long on May 31, 2005, In Lamar, CO. She wasn't due until September 6, but my placenta ruptured and I had no choice but to deliver early. They told me that if I had not delivered Serenity when I did, we both would have died. We were both loosing too much blood and needed transfusions right away. Serenity was flown by flight-for-life to Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs, right after her transfusion. A nurse, Roseann, called the Ronald McDonald House and got everything set up for me to stay there. I was in room #1 for 37 nights, then I moved upstairs to room #3. The House is so pretty. Everyone is so nice and helpful. They call me by name and always ask about Serenity. People bring in meals so we don't have to stop and cook every day. I keep telling myself that Serenity is a miracle baby. She had surgery on her intestines when she was 5 days old and weighed 1 pound 9 ounces. They found a small hole in her intestine that wasn't fully developed. So, they put the intestine outside of her belly--that's called an illeostomy. They will do surgery again when Serenity reaches 5 1/2 pounds, and put her intestines back where they belong. Little Serenity also had a Grade II brain bleed and premature lungs. She stopped breathing 4 times but they brought her back. They called it really bad apnea. The first 3 months were really rough, but, still, I couldn't wait to get to go home. I was just waiting for her to take all of her feedings from a bottle not a tube, so she could go home. I learned to take care of her illeostomy so they decided that I could take her home to wait until she was big enough for the surgery. I was so stressed out, I just needed to get home--I have my little boy Isaiah there waiting for me, too. Finally, the day came--August 22--we got to go home! Serenity was on oxygen, medication and still had the illeostomy. That didn't stop us, I was so excited to have her home! My son was also very happy to have his sister home. I could finally relax. September 10 at 3:30 in the morning--one day after my son's 2nd birthday--I went in to feed Serenity. I couldn't believe my eyes! She was staring right at me, not blinking. She was like a rag doll. Serenity wasn't breathing! I knew I had to do something quick! I started CPR--they taught me at Memorial Hospital. I worked on Serenity for 3 or 4 minutes and finally she started coughing and crying. It was a miracle! My little miracle baby. Her dad Zachary and I rushed Serenity to the hospital in Lamar. They told us she was dehydrated because she was putting out a lot of fluid from her illeostomy. They gave her IV fluids and she was better. Serenity also had a lot of mucus in her throat that could have caused her to stop breathing. I was in shock and still scared to death. I couldn't breathe and I didn't even know who I should talk to. When she was stable, they flew Serenity back to Memorial Hospital. My 2 year old Isaiah had to stay with my mom once again. What would I do without my mom! I would go crazy without her, she is something special! Zachary and I once again rushed to Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs and Ronald McDonald House had a room for us--room #9. Later, Serenity was doing a lot better and I calmed down. I am so glad I woke up when I did. I don't want to think about what would have happened if I hadn't..... We learned that our Serenity has some hearing loss in both ears. It may improve over time, I sure hope so. But I love Serenity and I'm just glad she is alive and with me where she belongs. The doctors decided to keep Serenity in Memorial Hospital until she was big enough and strong enough for the surgery. I was alright with that. I pray everyday that everything goes right so that my little Serenity can come home. I have been at the Ronald McDonald House for nearly 4 months. During that time my life has changed in so many ways and I have learned not to take things for granted. I've gotten to know so many families, volunteers and staff at the House and they have all helped me get through this hard time. If I didn't have these people to talk to I would probably be in the hospital myself. I thank everyone at the Ronald McDonald House for talking with me and listening. I thank you for everything you have done for me and for letting me stay here. I appreciate everything. Update Serenity's surgery went very well and she has just started to eat again. She is now at home with her family and doing very well.