#30DaysofHope Day 8- Jayme & Kelsey

Hope: to be able to see the light in the darkness.
On 3/17/20, my works went dark. Kelsey, diagnosed with non-immune hydrops fetalis on a routine ultrasound, was given a 5% chance of survival based on pre-existing data and incorporated all the data from every case that existed. After the doctors explained her grim chances, after all the I’m sorry’s, after all the tears, I still tried to find the light.

The hours before our emergency c-section, I scoured the internet for scholarly articles on babies that developed this later in pregnancy. There were few articles, but I found one that said 50% chance of surviving delivery and then each day the condition could improve. That was my first light.

The morning of 3/18/20, the doctors came in to discuss the game plan. After listening to how they were approaching the delivery, I said, “I know and we know she has normal 30 week anatomy” (she had an ultrasound 2 weeks prior that was normal) I continued- “Tell me there is a chance.” The doctors proceeded to tell me, “If we didn’t think there was a chance, we wouldn’t be putting you or her through this.” Finally, hope, and this time within our circle.

Kelsey went on to survive delivery. Hope.
I refused to talk and discuss her future in terms of if, but when. Hope.
Kelsey slowly decreased her chest drain output. Hope.
We prayed and created a Facebook page (Kelsey James- You Are strong), where all the positive energy could come together. Hope.
At 4 weeks, Kelsey had both chest tubes out, she was extubated, and was in the long haul growing and feeding stage. Hope.

At our family meeting with her medical team at 4 weeks old, the doctor, who was the same doctor the morning of her delivery that first gave me internal hope, ended our meeting by saying these words:
“If you would have told me 4 weeks ago that Kelsey would be where she is today, I wouldn’t have believed you. This is nothing short of miraculous.”

The pictures I’m sharing is the first time I was brave enough to touch her, to hold her, and to realize that everything was going to be okay (the day we took her home).

“Sometimes, against all odds, miracles happen.”

Hope: I am forever grateful.

Jayme and Kelsey