Miracle premie baby survives – How young is too young to save?

I read a Time Magazine article about a “miracle baby” born prematurely at 21-weeks gestation. The baby left the hospital and went home last month.

” Doctors in the U.S. often advise that premature babies born before 23 weeks be given only “comfort care” — swaddled, they’re handed to their parents to hold, free of medical interventions. If parents insist on treatment and the baby weighs more than 500 grams (about 17.5 ounces), “most of us give it a try,” says Gerri Baer, a neonatologist in Rockville, Md., who also happens to be my oldest friend. ”

It’s so sad and scary. If it was my baby, I’m almost certain I’d hope for the miracle and want medical care for it. I can’t imagine going through such an event. For myself if anything should happen to me, I don’t want life support. I have lived. No sense letting my body live when my soul is gone. Donate any salvageable organs and bury me. But a baby–there is so much hope for children and there is so much to live for. I know there are often complications and illnesses in children who survive premature birth. In some cases, the most severe, perhaps the child would be a “vegetable”. It would be a risk in deciding how to care for a premie baby at birth. I have cared for people in a vegetative state, severe brain trauma, coma or something from a non-birth related injury and there is always at least some hope, but then reality too. It’s tough to see family members who are still hoping for a miracle recovery long after brain trauma leaves someone in a vegetative state. I am sure it would be tough for me to be that family member also. Worse with my medical knowledge and work history because I’d have more a sense of the reality fighting the fantasy and hope for a miracle. My prayers go to everyone going through such issues.

You can read the entire article here:  http://healthland.time.com/2011/05/27/baby-born-at-21-weeks-survives-how-young-is-too-young-to-save/

A purpose in life

When I was a little girl I dreamed of growing up, becoming a nurse, being successful, and marry a handsome, caring man and have a few children. I never imagined that I could one day be homeless. I never thought about divorce either. I have experienced multiple abuses, physically, emotionally, verbally, sexual assaults and rape. It all took its toll on me when I was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder several years ago. I have survived through a lot. To my surprise, it took chronic homelessness for me to realize my resilience and how successful I am. I have discovered a new purpose and a new, growing love for helping others. Oh, I have always enjoyed helping others, studied nursing, and loved volunteering at various organizations, including also being a blood donor. However, it has changed. The warmth in my heart in being able to help others reach their goals has expanded in ways that I used to dream! I love every moment when I can make a difference! Over time and with thanks to social media, I am coming out of my shell and becoming more social. I dare say that I feel successful now as my life is transforming. I still have a ways to grow, but I am getting there! I am so grateful for everything that I have been through. I have learned much more and my character has grown because of the negative experiences in my life. I am finally on the right track.

Yes, I am an addict

The craving is always there. Maybe I shouldn’t, but I love how it makes me feel. It boosts my mood and I have so much more fun than without it. I can’t imagine life without social media.

I have accounts with Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, YouTube, Posterous, Linked In, Foursquare, Get Glue, Gowalla, Klout, Huffington Post and so many more! My newest is with Empire Avenue, a virtual stock market in which you “buy” people. My apologies if you are tiring of my tweets about all of my achievements I win and who I am buying. LOL. It’s a new toy. I am trying to tweet other things to mix things up a little and not be so boring.

Social networking is like an addiction. It is one of the first things I do in the morning, throughout the day, and the last thing I do at night before going to sleep. When I am someplace I don’t want to be it becomes my focus of thoughts–”I could be tweeting instead of this.” People who aren’t in to SM just don’t understand! I am trying to get one of my doctors in to it as well. He’s promised to at least check it out. I am sure there is social media/networking in heaven. So whenever the rapture does happen, we all won’t go through withdrawal. After all, God loves us and I am sure that He likes to have fun too. Right?

Many thanks, Doc

God bless my primary care doctor. He takes a lot of “abuse” from me. Thing is, he really cares.  I love that about him. He puts up with so much, he’s willing to go that extra mile. Sometimes I wonder why he does what he does. He is great with people and truly, genuinely, cares about others. He is great at his job and gives more than his best. I am lucky to have a doctor like him. I sometimes joke and say what did he ever do in med school to ever deserve a patient like me after. But I am glad he is there and knows how to help me, and is willing to do what it takes, all with a sense of humor. I appreciate all that he does and how much he cares for his patients. Thank you, Doc.