Friday, March 27, 2009

Tag, Your It


I've been tagged by Dominica of Faces and Places in Antwerp; thank you Dominica. Here's how it goes: I have to post a photo of myself from 1 year ago, or 2 years if I can't find one.
This photo of me was taken with my grand daughter at the hospital when she was about 6 months old, she turned 2 in November. My grand daughter is my miracle baby. She was taken out of the womb at 32 weeks because she had completely stopped moving. Her intestines were not attached, and when she was born she was completely swollen and the skin on her stomach was black. There was very little hope that she would survive. She had a drain into a bag for her "waste", a tube in her chest for feeding, and a breathing tube down her throat. The breathing tube was very painful for her, and gagged her as well. My daughter stayed at the hospital with the baby day and night, while family members stayed at the Ronald McDonald House across the street. Thank God for that Ronald McDonald House, I don't know what we would have done otherwise because we live 2 hours away from the hospital. At the time of this photo, my grand daughter was still on the waste bag and feeding tube, but the breathing tube was removed and she was a lot more comfortable. She had a series of surgeries, 5 in all, over a year and a half. Besides the scar on her belly, you would never know what she's been through. We worked hard with her physical therapist and occupational therapist to get her mobile and able to do the things a child should do at her age. I am beyond grateful for the doctors who performed a miracle by keeping her alive, and for all of the "angel" nurses who were at our beck and call. She is the light of my life. She was born the year after my mom died, and was completely well at the end of the year my brother died. It's been a long road. But here we are, and we are happy, truly.
Now, dry your eyes and blow your nose, because I'm tagging Vic of What Were You Thinking?, and she is one funny lady.

13 comments:

Cait said...

aww..what a precious pic too. That's so wonderful to hear that she's doing so well. You much write a memoir of all this.

mich said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
diane said...

Cait: I don't think so, this was already too draining, and probably not just for me. I think I'll let you stick to the serious writing and I'll do the lighter stuff from now on.

Dominica said...

What a wonderful story and it's true, doctors and especially nurses are angels in disguise. I'm am very happy this all had a happy ending..you see too many children suffering from all kinds of medical 'riddles' and gifts from nature, as I sometimes call it. India was born with 3 kidneys, so...I can relate a little bit in how you and your daughter must have felt back then. I'm happy to say she has never been very sick since her operation when she was tiny and fragile. May this give you hope that when your grand daughter grows up, she will become a lovely little lady too ...

PS thank you for the nice comments your daughter and you gave me :-D
I'm really flattered ...XX

TMFA said...

Aww that is so cute!
And what a cute cute baby! Hope she is all doing well these days!

diane said...

Cait, Dominica, TMWKTM: Thank you for your sweet comments. I felt really awkward about this post, it's not the usual "light fare". But, I felt the importance of sharing something tough like this.

The Concrete Commentator said...

Aww. Thanks for sharing that Diane. Glad she is doing well now. Cute picture of you both!

Cait said...

It is comforting to hear such good news in times like these. And to know there are so many who care out their on a daily basis.

Thanks for your note. Yes, I always liked that storyline on friends, too. hehee...

Vic said...

diane,
I loved this post too - such a sweet little face she has in the picture. Writing about such a difficult time must have taken you right back there.
I'm so glad she's okay now, and I'm honored you shared it with us.

I saw your tag last night (you!) and I'm a-workin' on it. :)

diane said...

Cait: Twice in one day, I'm flattered.

Vic: Thanks for not being mad at me for putting you on the spot. You're a pal.

miriam said...

wow, what a miracle. and she looks adorable!

Jack Daniel said...

wow, that's such a personal, drama story.
She's really a miracle baby. Surviving all these surgeries. I'm sure she will be a lovely person when she grows up. And a very strong person as well.

Michelle said...

Your granddaughter is beautiful!!!