Would you like to hear about a Miracle?

[EagleGirl]

Some of you may know that I am a volunteer photographer for an organization called Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. We go to hospitals to do our best to capture beautiful images of newborn babies that are either terminal or even stillborn. We take our images and create slideshows set to music that is intended to help families grieve. The images are retouched in such a way that beautiful images are created that they can remember the baby with. So many photographers say "I could never do that" but you would be surprised to find out what an honor it is to provide this service for families. People say "I would cry". This weekend I did cry.

Sunday, I got a call for a session at a local Hospital. They told me they had a baby girl that had been born without kidneys and that she was on life support. The parents had to decide if they wanted pictures with her on the respirator or wait until the tubes are removed. They decided they wanted pictures while she was alive so I headed to the hospital.

What I discovered was very different from what I expected. I found out that they had expected her to be stillborn and that there was virtually no amniotic fluid for half of the pregnancy due to the absence of kidneys. There was no plan to put her on life support. But when she was born she came out kicking and screaming and the doctor made the decision to put her on a respirator to make sure there hadn’t been a mistake made in previous ultrasounds. They did an ultrasound and concluded she didn't have kidneys.

I’m here to say that this baby is absolutely beautiful and seems so very normal. She is as pretty as my babies were. She was on a respirator but she seemed to be breathing on her own too. She moved around and opened her eyes to look around. Her skin was beautiful. She was even taking a pacifier.

The amazing thing is that while I was there, the nurse changed her diaper and said that she had urine in the diaper. She said that she will talk to the doctor about this. The Mom came into the NICU and I did my best to take pictures of them together. I couldn’t understand why they couldn’t pick that baby up for her to hold. The mother's English is weak but I asked her if she had held her baby and she said no. We were both crying. The plan, as I understand it, is to take her off life support in a couple of days. She is only getting glucose right now. Her mother asked me if I would come back when they take the tubes out so I can get pictures of her without the tubes. I told her I would if I could. The policy at Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep is to provide just the one session, but since it is volunteer work, they know that we will follow our hearts and do what we can.

So, I posted on our company Believers Board and asked for prayers for healing for baby Ashley. I was hoping to witness a miracle if and when they call me back to the hospital.

Today, I got a phone call from the Mother and I could not believe how happy she sounded! She was able to speak English to me pretty well and she sounded so happy. I thought it was going to be the call asking me to come take pictures. However, she told me that the baby is better and has been transferred to another hospital. She said they have found a small kidney! And, she is off the respirator! I got her phone number and I plan to go visit her.

How's that for uplifting?

[RKDauph]

Joanne,

My wife is a NICU nurse and a photographer. She has spoken highly of Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep and the effect your work has on the parents.

I will share your story with her tonight.

Thanks.

[Truckman]

Wow! Truly one of God's miracles...Ben

[Cajungaltx]

I'm so glad you posted about this on here. It is such an amazing story...

[groovyone]

Amazing. Thanks for sharing. It is always nice to hear about the good things that happen.

[tc95]

That is amazing....I would say that the Doctor made a great call on that one...because it sounds like he/she might have saved that babies life...

Thank you for sharing this..

[Sonny]

Thank you Joanne for sharing!

[lscottpht]

wow, that's awesome! i was hoping the story was going to go that way. the baby is in my prayers! please keep us posted and thanks for sharing. i still don't think i could do this since i cried just simply reading the story.

[kenw]

this made my day. Thanx for posting this, and especially thanx for being there to aid and comfort.

[KBerntsen]

Thanks for sharing. That is a wonderful story, hopefully it will only continue to get better.

[CaptainTom]

In a job that is always very sad and emotional this makes for a great respite.
I understand your excitement at this news and hope that she has a long and healthy future.

[Roy]

Thank you Joanne. That is fantastic! It does one good to hear good things once in a while.

[MHampton]

Praise the Lord! Thank you for sharing that Joanne.

[Rson]

From a person who was in front of the lens and did not know about NILMDTS. You really don't know the impact you have until you live it.

Thank you.

[Roadrnr]

What a fantastic story! You're a special kind of person, thank you for sharing this story.