My Daughter

It was May 13th, 2012. Mother’s Day. My wife, Cyrena, was having an incredibly difficult pregnancy. She had pounding headaches, blurred vision, and searing pain throughout her body.

As a matter of fact, she had been in and out of the hospital for the last two weeks. Our tiny daughter was only developed 23 weeks in gestation. Her due date was September 9th, 2012. Unfortunately, my wife had extremely early onset toxemia and preeclampsia.

Amid tears, she gripped my hand as we were told, “The blood flow is slowing between mom & your daughter. She is fighting, but she is getting weaker and weaker. In our opinion, she needs to come out, but it’s your choice.”

With a heavy sigh and two heavy hearts, we agreed with the doctor’s opinion and asked them to proceed. There I was trembling, turning around explaining the situation to my six year-old daughter Gabrielle (we call her Gabby). I got down on one knee. Tears were rolling down my cheeks. I told her, “Gabby, I need you to believe with me. Your sister might not make it today.”

Gabby’s eyes got so big. Her eyes started watering. I thought I was going to lose it. Leaving Gabby with a family friend, I then promptly went into the surgery room to be with my wife. I was trembling and gnawing with anxiety. I couldn’t stop pacing.

An hour and many prayers later, the doctors were right. Our little tiny baby, barely halfway through the pregnancy process, made it. She survived!

Born at nearly 12 oz (a few ounces short of one pound!), she is our miracle baby. We named her Evangeline meaning “bearer of good news”.

This was the incredible story that caused me to work with physicians. In this podcast, you will hear me interviewing my oldest daughter Gabby (pictured above at 5 years old). She is now 11 years old and is in 6th grade.

It was so inspiring and heart-felt to hear her perspective on this journey and what she went through emotionally.