When Alisha and I were married we dreamed about having our own little family one day. Alisha is the oldest of seven children and I'm the oldest of four, we liked the idea of having maybe four or five children ourselves. We realise that doing so would probably put us in a position where we'd sometimes struggle to find the money to support our family but we were certain that a big family was right for us.
Kaylee was born to us in December 2003. She was born six weeks early and was in the hospital for ten days. Alisha endured around eighty hours of labour before requiring an emergency caesarian.
A couple of years later we were delighted to hear that we were going to have another child. But there were problems. Alisha's waters broke at 22 weeks and she was kept in hospital to avoid her getting an infection. She was kept in hospital for two weeks before the doctors decided it was pointless for her to be there. She came home and a couple of weeks later I had a call asking me to come home from work as her contractions were very close. Spencer was born later that day at a gestation of 26 weeks. It took the doctors 20 minutes to get him to breathe on his own before they took him away. One of them even fainted at the sight of him. His body was the size of an adult's hand.
Spencer progressed steadily until we had a phone call one morning asking us to come to the hospital. Spencer's lungs had collapsed and they were certain that he was going to die. They called us in to say our goodbyes. Thankfully Spencer was defiant and proved the doctors wrong.
He's given us scares from time to time, had a couple of surgeries, been in hospital for other reasons, and so on. To look at him now you'd never believe that he was 3-4 months premature. We know that it is a miracle that he is with us today.
This brings us to our current predicament.
Alisha is 19 weeks pregnant. On Thursday she noticed something was wrong. After a scan it was found that she has a small tear in the amniotic sack and that liquid was leaking. This was bad news.
The doctors have told Alisha that they expect her to deliver in the next couple of weeks and that the baby will die shortly thereafter. I refuse to believe it. Having experience everything that we did with Spencer I know that miracles can happen. I'm not prepared to accept this eventuality until it happens. We're doing everything possible to ensure that Alisha makes it to 24 weeks. That way, at least, the doctors will be required to do everything they can to assist the child.
I can't imagine what will happen if Alisha gives birth to this perfectly healthy child and then have to watch it die. Right now my head just isn't in the game. Please remember Alisha and our baby in your prayers. I'm sure that, with everyone's help, there is a miracle waiting to happen.
I want the doctors to be dumbfounded. I want them to shake their heads in disbelief and to go and tell their colleagues that they can't understand how this was all possible. Sadly though my wants and desires are secondary to those of God. I place my wife and child in his hands and just hope he answers the prayers offered on our behalf.
New Years Eve 2017
7 years ago
7 comments:
I really believe you will get through this, and have another beautiful child soon. The only thing is to stay positive, doctors are often wrong about things like this, and it is clear that the children in your lives are strong and determined to make it! There is a miracle waiting to happen and I hope that you can both watch this unfold and cherish the little life forever. You are all in my thoughts and I feel really positive for you, you deserve your prayers to be answered.
Sending lots of love
Lori and Paul xxxx
I know you are both very worried right now, but in this day and age of medicine we live in, miracles do happen daily. Make sure to turn those doctors on their heads with a beautiful baby. We have you in our prayers and just know that we are here with you.
Joe & Diane Garcia
We have you all in our prayers. Spencer is a testament to the strength of the Whitfields and it is passed on through you and Alisha to the baby. Keep positive and look forward to the day you will hold your new child in your arms.
Dave, Rose & Hannah Melvin
Hey, we are both praying for you and your sweet little family. Alisha is such an amazing woman and I for sure am so proud of her for being the strong woman that she is. We truly hope that God will answer everyone's prayers on your behalf. We really love you guys and hope and pray for you in this difficult situation.!
love from across the ocean,
Ellen, Simon, & Kaitlynn McCarthy
I really hope you get your miracle. We're praying for you and know that you will be able to handle anything God puts in front of you. I haven't yet figured out why we have the challenges we do and why some of them are so hard to handle but I know that through them we become stronger people and are able to help those around us with our knowledge. You're in our prayers..the Pruitts
I, too, hope your miracle comes. This is so hard. Having gone through it once you know what to expect, and hopefully this will turn into a wonderful blessing for your family. So hard to put your hand in Heavenly Father's and trust that He knows what is best. Your family is in my prayers...David and Shannon
Whitfields.. Bully :)
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