Parenting
As we gathered near the entrance, my daughter, Emma, eagerly scanned the bustling room filled with excited children. It was her first day of preschool after a long summer, and she was thrilled to reconnect with friends. In her excitement, she struggled to voice her question, repeating it multiple times. Nearby, a boy curiously exclaimed, “Why does she keep saying the same thing?” His mother quickly hushed him, a hint of embarrassment on her face. Watching my daughter, my heart swelled with empathy, and memories of her early struggles flooded back. The phrase “once a preemie, always a preemie” echoed in my mind.
As novice parents, my husband and I were unprepared for what lay ahead. Expecting triplets, we knew our little ones would arrive early, but we never anticipated the profound challenges we would face. After delivering our three children at just 22 weeks gestation, we endured a heart-wrenching tragedy when we lost two of them within two months. Our sole survivor, now our only child, remained in the NICU.
Emma faced numerous health hurdles. Weighing only 1 pound at birth, her lungs were underdeveloped, her heart was strained, and she was recovering from a significant brain bleed. Each day brought new medical terms: blood transfusions, ROP, PDA, and bilirubin became part of our everyday vocabulary. Yet, as her fragile body began to grow stronger, so did our hope. At nearly four months old, we finally brought our daughter home.
Being a micro preemie, we knew the road to recovery would be lengthy. The initial months were spent managing an oxygen tank, and for three years, our home was filled with therapists working tirelessly to help Emma catch up, especially given that she was born over 17 weeks early. While many doctors suggest that most preemies are on track by age two, we understood that Emma’s journey would take much longer.
As Emma gradually overcame her challenges, friends and family noticed the remarkable changes. Though petite, she began to flourish. Her previously limited speech developed into an impressive vocabulary, and her once-weak core grew stronger. Many remarked on how happy and healthy she appeared, without any obvious signs of her premature birth.
If you were to see Emma today, you would never guess that she once weighed just 16 ounces and was given less than a 10% chance of survival. She is truly a miracle child, but appearances can be deceptive. At four years old, she still grapples with lung issues; a simple cold or smoke in the air can trigger wheezing. Emma is familiar with nebulizer treatments and knows exactly where we keep the pulse oximeter. While she may seem robust, a short jog reveals that her core still needs strengthening.
Her most prominent challenge is related to her speech. Her therapists suspect she has apraxia, causing her mouth to struggle to keep pace with her thoughts. When excited, she often repeats herself or stutters. While we hope she will eventually overcome these issues, we recognize that her preemie status will always be a part of her story. Like many children born prematurely, she may face difficulties in school, and doctors have cautioned us that she could struggle in certain subjects. However, we are not worried; a glance back at our NICU days reminds us of how far she has come.
As the school doors swung open, Emma finally managed to ask her burning question, “Do you think we’ll go outside to play?” Her enthusiasm was contagious. I chuckled and assured her that recess was definitely on the agenda for her first day. Once she settled in, I took a moment to quietly watch from the hallway. My precious girl is making incredible strides, showing that even the most fragile children can adapt to life’s challenges. The future may hold uncertainties for our miracle preemie, but we are confident she will thrive. Babies born the smallest can become the fiercest fighters, and Emma will harness her strength to navigate whatever lies ahead.
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In summary, the journey of a preemie is filled with challenges and triumphs. While the phrase “once a preemie, always a preemie” may hold some truth, it does not define their entire story. With resilience and support, these remarkable children can overcome their early adversities and thrive.