Tender Mercies

These past few weeks have been quite reflective for me. Last Sunday, my friend Marlo was teaching about the power of prayer in exacting miracles in our lives. She asked me to speak about Khloe. As I thought about my little princess and the circumstances surrounding her birth, I was again reminded of the abundance of blessings my Heavenly Father has given me. As most of you know, at 24 weeks I went into labor. When I was told by my dr. that we had to go to the hospital, I was overcome with worry and fear. It was way too early to have a baby with chances of surviving. What were we going to do? I was pregnant with my Khloe. I knew her. I knew what her name would be at 5 weeks gestation. I'd felt her kick and move inside of me for months. I knew she knew my voice and the sound of her Daddy's too. I couldn't lose this baby now. Could I? All of these fears overwhelmed me. After getting settled at the hospital and being pumped full of meds to stop labor, I received a blessing from Max. He blessed me that all would be well whatever the circumstances would be. From that moment on, I knew that whatever we had to face would be okay because my Father in Heaven would be near. Thankfully, the labor stopped and I went home the next day to moderate bed rest.

Two weeks later, the labor started again, and we headed back to the hospital. This time I was dilated to a two. Again the fear overwhelmed me as I was told that if I progressed any further, I'd be transported to either the U or St. Marks, as Timpanogos couldn't support babies born before 30 weeks. I was at 26. That night was very scary. I was again pumped full of meds. Mom and Davy waited nervously as the dr. and nurses looked for any further progression. Luckily, I didn't dilate further. However, I was moved to a different room. A room that would be my home for who knows how long. The first few days, I was tethered to my IV so getting up at all was difficult. Sleeping was difficult with all of the cords, straps, and machines beeping throughout the night. Again, I received a blessing to enlist the Lord's help at this difficult time. After a few days, the IV came out; I was able to shower and have a 15 minute wheelchair ride outside. Those 15 minutes were the best of the whole day as I got to breathe fresh air and see Davy and Porter. It was quite the lonely existence. Thankfully, friends called and stopped by. Suduko became my boredom buster as I sat in bed hoping my Khloe would be okay. We had an ultrasound with the Perinatologist at 27 weeks. Khloe looked great and was measuring a week ahead. The dr's recommendation was to stay at the hospital until 28 weeks and then home to bedrest as long as nothing changed. Thankfully at 28 weeks, I was released for strict home bedrest.

Everyone I love pitched in to help with Porter, dinner, cleaning, weeds, etc. I was overwhelmed with how many people wanted to help in some way. It left me resolved to do anything I could for them once I was able. Four weeks of bedrest passed with no change. Then came Monday, August 25. Mom took Porter for the day. I laid in bed all day with this feeling that Khloe was coming. Sure enough, at 3:00 the labor pains hit every minute. I called Davy at the golf course and told him we'd better head to the hospital. When we arrived, my favorite nurses were there to greet me. I was dilated to a four and progressed to a six pretty quickly. They gave me another round of steroids, meds to slow the contractions, and an epidural. The dr's hope was that I could make it another 48 hours. As divine intervention would have it, I did. I laid in bed for two days with nothing in my stomach just waiting to see what would happen. At 5:00 on Wed. August, 27 Dr. Lamoreaux came to see me. He checked me and said they'd turn off the meds, get the epidural flowing, and break my water. Relief washed over me as I couldn't lie in that bed one more day. Mentally, I was at my breaking point. Finally, at 8:30 Dr. Melendez broke my water and I went to an 8 in an hour. At 10:30, I was fully dilated and at 10:40, Khloe was born.

During those 10 minutes of pushing, I wondered what we would face once she arrived. Would she be able to breathe? How tiny would she be? What would the future hold for us? But ultimately I was at peace knowing that my Heavenly Father was in charge and all would be okay. Thankfully, as soon as she was out, she cried. It was the most beautiful sound that Davy and I ever heard. The NICU team was waiting to take her. They rushed her off with Davy by their sides, and I was left wondering. After what seemed like forever, Davy returned to tell me that she looked great and didn't even need oxygen. Our little fighter and sassy pants was doing well! She just needed to have time to eat and grow. It was a miracle that Khloe was born healthy. Of that, I have no doubt for I know that it was through the grace of God. I am so grateful for the peace that comes through the Spirit and the tender mercies of the Lord. He has been with me at the most difficult times in my life and will be as long as I warrant His presence. What a gift!