Hi, my name is Joy and I'm 38 years old. I am a hardworking woman who dearly loves her family. I have a 13-year-old son and a cat, and I gave birth 19 days ago to a micro-preemie baby currently in the NICU.

My husband and I were excited and happy about our pregnancy, but something incredibly unexpected happened. About 24 weeks into the pregnancy, I started noticing some odd symptoms and started feeling very bad. I knew something was wrong with my body, but I couldn't explain what it was. I was incredibly scared and made an appointment with the doctor.

What I was feeling was the onset of preeclampsia. The complication quickly escalated. I was hospitalized and couldn't go to work. I had to be transported to a specialty hospital away from my home and my firstborn son. I missed him terribly.

At the hospital, my condition kept getting worse. And the precious baby inside me couldn't handle what was happening. He started to become distressed, and hospital staff was having a harder and harder time trying to find his heartbeat. They waited as long as they could but told me he wouldn't make it if I didn't deliver him at that moment. Because both of our lives were in danger, I had to have an emergency C-section immediately.

As they prepared me for surgery, my loving husband kept reassuring me everything would be okay. I don't know how I could have done this without him.

Our son was born that night. He was 25 weeks gestation and weighed 1.29 pounds. I'll never forget the first little sound he made.

He is expected to be in the NICU at least until mid-September. I am currently trying to recover. I have been discharged from the specialty hospital and we currently commute to see our son (the hospital is 2 hours away). My husband has been taking care of me while I recover. He's had to take me to the emergency room numerous times since I gave birth, due to my body trying to recover from preeclampsia. I have many doctors looking after me, so I should be getting better soon.

I recently got a phone call that they canceled my state health insurance. That also includes health insurance for both of my sons. I am currently trying to reapply and get it turned back on. I do not know how much my little baby's NICU stay will cost, but until it is turned back on, I will have to pay out of pocket.

I have never asked for help before, but with me being out of work, my husband taking care of me, and us financially struggling, our monthly expenses are piling up, and so are medical bills. I just want to give my sons the life they deserve, and we just need a little help right now. My family greatly appreciates any generosity. Every penny would go to monthly expenses and medical bills for my baby in the NICU. Thank you so much for taking the time to read our story. Everyone's thoughts and prayers have touched our hearts, and we appreciate all of the support we have received.