I never imagined how much your life can change in just a matter of moments.

On July 24, I went into labor with my full-term rainbow baby, excited to finally hold the little girl I had prayed for after losing my first son. She was born weighing 8 lbs 13 oz, perfect in every way, but her birth quickly turned into a fight for her life.

During labor, I suffered a sudden seizure, something I had never experienced before and had no health issues to prepare me for. The only thought running through my mind before everything went black was of my baby. When I woke up, I was intubated and surrounded by my frantic family. I soon learned that during my seizure, my daughter had been deprived of oxygen and was in critical condition.

To give her the best chance at recovery, she was placed on a cooling mattress for three days to undergo a treatment called therapeutic hypothermia, which helps protect the brain and organs after oxygen deprivation. Those were the longest, most agonizing days of my life, especially because I could not even hold her. At the same time, I spent 24 hours in the ICU myself, recovering from the seizure and my first C-section.

Now, my daughter is still in the NICU. We do not yet know when she will be able to come home. She has an MRI scheduled, which will give us more answers. Until then, all I can do is sit by her bedside, touch her tiny hands and feet, and talk to her, praying she feels my love.

We are facing many unexpected expenses during this time, including:

• Gas and parking for daily NICU visits

• Meals while I spend long days at the hospital

• Childcare and household expenses while I recover and focus on my baby

• Lost income while I am unable to work

• Future needs once she is home and continuing her recovery

How you can help:

Your donations will help me stay by my daughter’s side during this critical time without having to choose between paying bills and being present for her recovery.

If you can give, please know every dollar counts. If you cannot give financially, your prayers and shares mean the world to us.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for standing with us during this time.