From Lisa as she and Paul remember Ziggy on his 18th birthday…
8 years ago, we witnessed a miracle. After being told I would never carry to term, the amazing teams at Washington Hospital Center and Children’s National Medical Center performed a relay like no other. WHC cared for me through my C-section, and immediately Children’s took the baton, as our incredible Ziggy was handed off to their expert care, fresh from the womb and in distress. We had known since the 20-week ultrasound that this moment was unlikely to even occur. Yet, here we were… me feeling nothing from the chest down, Paul stroking my face to keep me awake from the anesthesia, and our baby boy facing a cold, bright world, unable to take his first breath on his own.
He was whisked away quickly as they tried to stabilize his little body, and just a few minutes later, they brought him in for us to see and touch and give a little kiss, via a finger. He was stable! No one could believe it! After transport to Children’s, he was placed on an ECMO machine, which would clean and supply his blood for the next two weeks. Once removed from ECMO, he held on another 10 days.
We had 24 excruciatingly wonderful days with our firstborn. As I think about tomorrow being his 18th birthday, I can hardly fathom the reality of what happened. Yet, I can still hear the beeps, feel his soft skin, smell his downy hair. The impact of his little life on the world was tremendous, with people all over the globe praying for him and connections made that could never be undone. I am beyond grateful for the gift that God gave us for choosing life.
It might be a hard day, but I know that the joy of the Lord is our strength.
Embracing Grace 