Baby on Board - For the Moment

 The good news is that I finished my art quilt before lunch today. I surmounted all the obstacles, missteps, and mistakes that I whined about last week. The pressure is off: as soon as I get the photograph’s color correctly set, I can send it off and meet the exhibition’s June 24^th deadline.

 There’s other good news about June 24^; it’s my grandson AJ’s 4^th birthday. When he turned three, they lived with us and we had the joy of watching his delight at being the center of attention for singing, candles, and cake. I’ll miss that opportunity, but am thankful for video calling.

 There’s bad news in our lives, too, I’m sad to say, but it needs a little set-up. In my blog post last August 25—Relishing My Grandma-Hood—I wrote about my grandkids and the collection of toys and books I’d like more opportunities to share with them. In particular, I mentioned the My Twinn doll that belonged to Tori, my youngest daughter.

 I always expected to give that doll to her daughters, but they died tragically in a house fire several years ago. In fact, I said in my post, “I’d be mighty surprised to get another granddaughter at this late stage in the game.”

 Never say never. Last winter, Tori shared the happy news that she and her partner were expecting a baby in September. The “happy” news filled me with trepidation, though. Tori has a history of preeclampsia, a very serious, sometimes deadly, complication of pregnancy. In fact, all three of her children had been born by C-section because of the risks of delivery.

 And that presents another serious complication. Three C-sections are generally considered to be the limit because the damage the surgery does to the uterus each time is cumulative. The potential for rupture, hemorrhage, and placental abnormalities are serious. And that’s just part of the list of hazards.

 So, while everyone loves a new baby, Michael and I couldn’t help but worry about our baby.

 Texas is okay for maternal health statistics per se, but it has a Black maternal health crisis. Black women experience higher rates of maternal death and severe complications than any other group. (FYI, both of our daughters are Black.) Her high-risk pregnancy is, here in Texas, even higher risk.

 A little pocket of joy appeared this spring when we found out they were having a girl. I am so happy for her to have another daughter. And, surprise, there will be someone to receive that lovely doll in a few years.

 Now for the bad news. We expected that the docs would want to deliver early to avoid her going into labor. That’s standard operating procedure (no pun intended.) But the delivery date keeps creeping earlier and earlier. It was supposed to be a month before her due date. Now it may be as soon as July 1^st.

 A 30-week preemie is a very, very scary thing. If they can keep her pregnant to 34 weeks, it will be much better for everyone, but her life is at risk, so let’s not take chances, please. If it’s earlier than 34 weeks, she’ll have to go to Dallas to get the medical support they will both need. And the baby will likely spend months in the NICU. I’m overwhelmed with worry.

 I wish this were the only problem Tori and Ace (her partner) were facing. They moved to San Angelo last fall with a plan that fell apart within a few weeks and have been living in a hotel room with AJ ever since, saving every penny they can to try to get into an apartment. Getting stable housing is especially important with the new baby.

 They hope to get settled before Baby Girl comes home from the NICU. They’ve found an apartment, but they’re having trouble accumulating all the money they need for the deposit. Tori’s boss just started a Go Fund Me account for them. If you’re inclined and able to, please make a contribution: Fundraiser by Caitlyn Mills : Help Coworker’s Family Welcome Baby Home.

We’ll be in San Angelo to watch AJ and give Tori and Ace moral support as soon as we get the word. It would be easier if we knew what day, but we’re ready to take off on a moment’s notice. Say a prayer that it isn’t soon! Any time after August 7, Lord, would be fine. That would be a late preterm birth and a much stronger, healthier baby.

 What are you praying for these days? Maybe we can add all our concerns into one big prayer.