Friday, January 19, 2018

Lessons From a Preemie

My oldest daughter recently gave birth to her second son, William.  However, due to pregnancy complications, the child was delivered emergently at 31 weeks.  He remains in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and is receiving extraordinary care.  As a grandparent, I pray earnestly that my newest grandson will grow, thrive and ultimately come home to be with his older sibling.  I also pray that the health care team will have uttermost wisdom in dealing with his fragile life.  Of course, I also lift up his parents and extended family in the midst of this situation. 

Yet, dealing with my premature grandson's situation has opened my eyes to something which countless parents experience.  Perhaps the best way for me to deal with my anxiety (as I have in time's past) is by writing.  So, please bear with me as I try to gather some thoughts that might be helpful to myself and others.

In general terms, William had to be prematurely removed from his mother's womb.  That is the problem.  Pure and simple.  If he could have stayed there until his delivery date in March, life would be much, much easier. 

Hence, what are the advantages of a child being in the womb?  What specifically does the womb provide?  These thoughts may be even applicable to any situation, whether cancer or whatever difficulty in life. 

 First of all, there is protection. No matter what external extremes of heat or cold are present, the temperature in the womb remains consistent. 

In addition, there is provision.  Nourishment is provided to the fetus via the placenta.  All nutrients are provided to help the fetus grow and flourish.

Another advantage of the womb is is personal touch.  How many parents rub or talk to the kicking baby to give them sweet assurance of their presence!

In like manner, I can see how these same concepts are necessary when going through cancer or cancer treatment.  For example, when I was going through chemotherapy, I was given Neulasta injections periodically to increase my white blood cell count and "protect" me from infection.

Also, "provision" was definitely a necessity during chemotherapy.  It was a challenge to keep food down due to extreme nausea.  On the days I felt relatively well, I tried to "eat like a horse" in order to boost my strength.  Nevertheless, I still lost twenty five pounds while undergoing 3 1/2 months of my chemotherapy regimen.

Finally, "personal touch" was such a comfort.  I don't know of anyone who received more prayers while I was fighting cancer.  There were those who brought food, patted me on the back, etc.  My father even painted my porch!

Therefore, protection, provision, and personal touch are necessities.  Whether in the womb or out, no matter where we are on our life journey, it's nice to have such things to lighten our load.