I just finished reading a friend's post, and, as a result, was prompted to write this.
My friend, Ashely, had infertility issues. After much reflection and praying, she & her husband decided to try in vitro. It actually worked and they became pregnant with twins! I coudn't contain my excitement for them! It was such a happy ending.
Then, the unthinkable happened. Ashley just found out that their son has a fatal disease called Trisomy 18. You probably have never heard of it, but most of these babies are stillborn, or die shortly after birth. Only 10% of these children will ever reach their first birthday. I can't imagine the pain my friend is feeling right now. They worked so hard to get these babies, and one is most likely not going to live. In addition, they also have to worry about their twin girl, because if Ashley is forced into early labor because of the boy, it could jeopardize the health of their little girl.
I just.... I am just so thankful. As soon as I read about Ashley's poor son, I wanted to go wake up Megan and love her and hug her and kiss her. We are so lucky! We have had a happy ending. We went through what seemed like h-e-double-hockey-sticks to get her, but she is here and she is perfect. We couldn't have been more blessed. We couldn't be more lucky. I think of the sweet spirit asleep in her bedroom upstairs, and I start to tear up.
So, yes, we are lucky to have Megan. We are so blessed. Not only do we have her- which is a miracle in itself- but she is, as perfectly as anyone can tell, completely healthy. How lucky we are. She is the most beautiful child we've ever seen. How lucky we are. We get to be her parents. How lucky we are.
Truly, how lucky we are.
5 comments:
In fact I HAVE heard of trisomy 18. Did you ever meet my niece Megan? She has a deletion on her 18th chromosome. They have an organization for children with chromosome 18 abnormalities, very supportive and awesome. Since trisomy kids don't live long, they don't have as many people coming to their conferences, etc. However, they do have some resources. Please pass along their website--chromosome18.org.
xoxo. we are very lucky, aren't we?
Ditto...my heart is breaking for Ashley. I can't stop hugging and holding Spencer. Especially since when I was pregnant there was a chance that Spencer had Trisomy 18.
Thank you Harmony! Your support through all of this has been so wonderful and amazing, probably because you are so wonderful and amazing! Give Megan a hug for me too. I'm so happy she has blessed your life.
Poor Ashley and Ryan! It makes me want to hold Evie that much tighter!
hello i came across you post here and see that your friend is expecting a t18 baby. Im here to give HOPE my son kayden has trisomy 18 and will be 9 years old next month.He is amazing in every way. more of these kids are living if given a chance.We have been very lucky her ein MN to get kayden treated in the begenning and he does very well.if you go to youtube and in their search write trisomy 18 kayden you will see photos from birth till now.my email is martamcclanahan@hotmail.com i would love to talk with your friend.More kids live then people know.Her ein Mn where i live we have had 8 kids living from age 4 to age 22 all full trisomy 18 and all with in 2 hours apart of eachother. just goes to show you that dr's dont know everything as the midcal books on t18 have not been updated since 1960's. Im also on facebook and we have a group called trisomy 18/13 journey there is ALOT of moms on there with living children.I pray that this little boy is strong and that the dr's will give him a chance
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