Kay recently turned 4! Can you believe it? From the moment she was born, Kay has shown remarkable resilience and strength, overcoming every obstacle life has placed in her path. Some of you may know that her entrance into the world was anything but easy—we almost lost her before her life even began. Yet, miraculously, after just three weeks in the NICU, Kay was well enough to come home.
The first 48 hours after her birth were filled with uncertainty. Doctors told us repeatedly, “Only time will tell,” or, “We’re unsure if she will make it through the night.” When Kay was born, she had been without oxygen for an unknown amount of time. By the time we arrived at the hospital via ambulance, the medical team was scrambling to deliver her safely and provide the critical care she needed. Once she was delivered, they immediately whisked her away to the NICU. There, she was sedated and intubated to give her tiny body the chance to heal. Later that day, a doctor sat me down and explained that if Kay survived, there was a possibility of brain damage due to the trauma of her birth. They wouldn’t have answers until they deemed it safe to wean her off sedation a few days later.
Although I wish Kay didn’t have to endure so much in just four short years, I am incredibly grateful for her ability to overcome every challenge. Sometimes, I think it’s a blessing in disguise that some of these hurdles happened while she was so young. Perhaps being a Type 1 Diabetic will feel less overwhelming as she grows up because it’s all she’s ever known—a regular part of her life.
For Kay’s birthday, we kept things simple yet special. We spent the day at home and later picked up a birthday cake for that evening, along with ordering cupcakes for her upcoming party. Dinner was pizza—one of Kay’s favorite foods. Afterward, we celebrated with cake, and Kay opened her presents. She spent the rest of the evening playing with her new toys and having a blast.
I still can’t believe she’s 4 years old. Every day, she amazes me with how much she’s learning and how bright her future looks. I feel so blessed to be Kay’s mom and to witness her incredible journey. She truly inspires me every single day.