Not All Children Can Wait 9 Months To Arrive

This was the moment my children first laid eyes on one another.  Emily was a rambunctious five year old and she could not wait to meet her new baby brother.  Apparently her new brother couldn't wait to meet her either.  My son William was born five weeks prematurely.  And although that doesn't seem like that much time too soon, in his case it really was.

Will's premature birth was a surprise so we didn't have the option of bed rest or medication.  I was waking up to do my job, morning radio at another radio station in town, when my water broke.  And I broke into tears, I knew it was much too early. But I was still hopeful because it wasn't THAT early.

Sure enough here he came and in the first few moments we thought he would be ok.  He arrived with a hearty cry but then silence.  He was gasping for breath.  And we were in a hospital that did not have a neo natal intensive care unit.  William had hyaline membrane disease syndrome.  His breathing was shallow and a sharp pulling in of the chest when he could catch a breathe.

He was rushed to Charlotte where he  stayed in the NICU for 12 days.  Newborns are allowed four doses of the serum they need to mature their lungs.  Some just need one but Will needed all four.  It was in God's hands.

I know I can speak for all mothers and fathers when I say it was the most terrifying experience I have ever had.  The doctors and nurses are literally the line between life and death.

We hope you will consider a donation today during our Secret Santa Radiothon benefiting Novant Hemby Children's Hospital.  To learn more about the radio thon, how you can donate and the amazing work this hospital is doing in infant and pediatric care just go right here.