September 2003, two months before my due date, I am at the grocery store with my husband and step-daughter. I feel naceous, great pains in my belly. We quickly check-out and head home so I can lay down and rest. Perhaps I've been overdoing it lately. The pain gets worse, we call 911. I am rushed to the emergency room, my blood pressure is high, they keep me overnight for observation.
I am told to rest and take it easy. I will meet with my obstetrician tomorrow afternoon. As I go through the rest of the day, my mind wanders to everything the doctor might tell me. So far it's been a great pregnancy. Maybe I'll have to cut back, stop working full time.
The next day I awake at 5AM with the same pains as the night before. This time my precious husband quickly packs a suitcase with all of my essentials, we are off to the hospital again. On the ride there, I pray to myself, Lord please help him. Keep him strong, give him the energy he needs to get through today. The poor guy is already tired from my last "episode", plus he had to go work. The past 24 hours have not been easy for him.
I am rushed from our local hospital to one that is larger and equipped to handle premature births. Still, I am not afraid, I continue to pray for my husband who is following the ambulance in our mini-van. I ask the Lord to protect the driver of the ambulance and John, my husband. Keep them both level-headed while driving so fast!
The nurses and doctors are so wonderful! I feel relaxed and painless. John is a wealth of knowledge, answering all of their questions about my pregnancy, up until this point. How did he remember all of that!? The sad news is, I will not go home pregnant. For some unknown reason, I think that means I will be in the hospital, on bed rest for the next two months. I begin to cry, I have too much to do at home, this can't be!
Well, it's not. The doctor gives my husband a confused look. John then explains to me, the babies will be born today. But it's too early! I start to understand the situation, yet I do not have any anxiety, the staff is so calm and matter-of-fact, they have no worries, why should I?
It amazes me how God did answer my prayer and gave John the strength he needed to get threw those 48 hours. Well into the morning Michelle was delivered at 4:45am, all 2 lbs. 11oz of her and Daniel at 5:16am, at a whopping 3 lbs. 8 oz.
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| Michelle |
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| Daniel |
Throughout the whole ordeal, I really was "clueless" about the real danger of loosing either my life or theirs. I never lost faith that the Lord was there, taking care of it all. I find it amazing my only thought was to pray for John and his needs. Later, I received a call from the nurse who rode with me in the ambulance, she told me she was praying for me the entire day, as well as my church family. It was because of all of them, the Lord covered me with a great peace (aka being clueless). In turn, my lack of hysteria, made it easier for my husband.
Every child is truly a blessing and a miracle. On this day, the blessing was not only my beautiful twins, but the courage and strength that God gave to John and I.
