Congratulations !
You have been awarded points.
Thank you for !
- Story Listed as: True Life For Adults
- Theme: Family & Friends
- Subject: Life Experience
- Published: 03/13/2021
A Chance for A Lifetime
Born 1960, M, from Orange Park, FL, United StatesI sat there staring blankly out the window that led to her hospital room. Never had the outside world seemed so cold, so far away as it did at this moment. I wondered if life would ever be the same.
My memories are what held me to that window. Memories of my daughter Larissa. Although only three months old, she had touched my heart with more love than could be felt in a lifetime. I could see her in the glass of the window. Her impish face peered back at me and I noticed a tiny glitter in her blue eyes as she smiled at her dad. As the images of her faded from my mind, reality again began to bear down on me.
I turned my attention from the window back to the cold, iron crib where she lay. Her tiny body lay limp and motionless in the center of a tangled mess of wires and tubes. Her skin blended with the bleach white of the hospital sheets and seemed by itself lifeless. I moved to the crib and looked into her eyes. As I did, I saw no glitter, no spark of joy, only two wide, dark pools that stared up at me and said, “Help me daddy, please help me.” Just then her eyelids quietly, slowly closed shutting me out.
This sudden, unexplained illness brought fear to my heart and tears to my eyes. Why couldn’t it be me lying there? Why my little girl? Why?
After this first, painful night, my wife Cathy and I spent many hours hoping, praying our baby girl would be granted that one chance we all take for granted. The chance to live.
In the week that followed Larissa had only pain and suffering to look forward to. Doctors and nurses alike poked and prodded her searching for what was wrong. Many problems were found and yet no one seemed to have the solutions for them. She was severely dehydrated, her blood count was low, and her heart was beating irregularly. In addition to this she had a urinary tract infection and the doctor worried about her heart stopping due to her now very thin blood.
After a particularly exhausting day at the hospital, Cathy and I returned home to get some of our personal matters in line. This was only after assurance from the doctor we would be advised immediately should Larissa’s condition worsen.
We were busily working about the house when the silence was suddenly shattered by a loud noise. It was the telephone. I looked across the room at Cathy and I saw in her the same fear that I was feeling. Blood rushed to my head and all at once I felt sick.
The call was from the doctor. Larissa was to undergo a blood transfusion and be transferred by ambulance to the pediatric intensive care unit at the Maine Medical Center in Portland. He told us further tests were needed and the hospital in Portland was the only place in the State which had the necessary equipment to conduct these tests. Her heart would be examined as he believed there may be a hole present which was causing the irregular beat.
There were no words necessary. No questions as to what would have to be done. Cathy and I immediately began rushing about the house grabbing clothing and other necessities for the three-hour trip.
We arrived in the pediatric ward at the same time as the ambulance crew. Larissa was placed in a room with several other babies, many of which had never known life outside of the hospital. As I looked about the room, I saw babies that would fit in the palm of my hand. Others had scars that seemed to embrace their entire torso. A few had machines to assist their bodily functions. As I watched, the staff was busily moving about the room tending to the babies. It was then I came to realize all the babies in that room had something in common. Something I could see in each of them no matter how sickly or scarred they were. The all had a glimmer of hope!
After only one day it was determined Larissa did not have a hole in her heart and the entire problem had originated from the urinary tract infection. It seems this had caused the low red blood cell count which in turn disallowed the carrying of oxygen to the cells. The heart, therefore, picked up speed to supply more oxygen. This added work caused one of the valves to stay open giving the impression a hole was present.
In four days’ time Larissa had come from near death to a happy, healthy three-month-old. I could again see the glitter in her eyes and the joy in her smile.
Today as Larissa nears what is referred to as the “terrible twos,” Cathy and I can sit back and admire her not only for what she has been, but for what she can now become.
A Chance for A Lifetime(Steven W Kimball)
I sat there staring blankly out the window that led to her hospital room. Never had the outside world seemed so cold, so far away as it did at this moment. I wondered if life would ever be the same.
My memories are what held me to that window. Memories of my daughter Larissa. Although only three months old, she had touched my heart with more love than could be felt in a lifetime. I could see her in the glass of the window. Her impish face peered back at me and I noticed a tiny glitter in her blue eyes as she smiled at her dad. As the images of her faded from my mind, reality again began to bear down on me.
I turned my attention from the window back to the cold, iron crib where she lay. Her tiny body lay limp and motionless in the center of a tangled mess of wires and tubes. Her skin blended with the bleach white of the hospital sheets and seemed by itself lifeless. I moved to the crib and looked into her eyes. As I did, I saw no glitter, no spark of joy, only two wide, dark pools that stared up at me and said, “Help me daddy, please help me.” Just then her eyelids quietly, slowly closed shutting me out.
This sudden, unexplained illness brought fear to my heart and tears to my eyes. Why couldn’t it be me lying there? Why my little girl? Why?
After this first, painful night, my wife Cathy and I spent many hours hoping, praying our baby girl would be granted that one chance we all take for granted. The chance to live.
In the week that followed Larissa had only pain and suffering to look forward to. Doctors and nurses alike poked and prodded her searching for what was wrong. Many problems were found and yet no one seemed to have the solutions for them. She was severely dehydrated, her blood count was low, and her heart was beating irregularly. In addition to this she had a urinary tract infection and the doctor worried about her heart stopping due to her now very thin blood.
After a particularly exhausting day at the hospital, Cathy and I returned home to get some of our personal matters in line. This was only after assurance from the doctor we would be advised immediately should Larissa’s condition worsen.
We were busily working about the house when the silence was suddenly shattered by a loud noise. It was the telephone. I looked across the room at Cathy and I saw in her the same fear that I was feeling. Blood rushed to my head and all at once I felt sick.
The call was from the doctor. Larissa was to undergo a blood transfusion and be transferred by ambulance to the pediatric intensive care unit at the Maine Medical Center in Portland. He told us further tests were needed and the hospital in Portland was the only place in the State which had the necessary equipment to conduct these tests. Her heart would be examined as he believed there may be a hole present which was causing the irregular beat.
There were no words necessary. No questions as to what would have to be done. Cathy and I immediately began rushing about the house grabbing clothing and other necessities for the three-hour trip.
We arrived in the pediatric ward at the same time as the ambulance crew. Larissa was placed in a room with several other babies, many of which had never known life outside of the hospital. As I looked about the room, I saw babies that would fit in the palm of my hand. Others had scars that seemed to embrace their entire torso. A few had machines to assist their bodily functions. As I watched, the staff was busily moving about the room tending to the babies. It was then I came to realize all the babies in that room had something in common. Something I could see in each of them no matter how sickly or scarred they were. The all had a glimmer of hope!
After only one day it was determined Larissa did not have a hole in her heart and the entire problem had originated from the urinary tract infection. It seems this had caused the low red blood cell count which in turn disallowed the carrying of oxygen to the cells. The heart, therefore, picked up speed to supply more oxygen. This added work caused one of the valves to stay open giving the impression a hole was present.
In four days’ time Larissa had come from near death to a happy, healthy three-month-old. I could again see the glitter in her eyes and the joy in her smile.
Today as Larissa nears what is referred to as the “terrible twos,” Cathy and I can sit back and admire her not only for what she has been, but for what she can now become.
- Share this story on
- 6
Shirley Harrison
07/25/2021A story as much of strength and hope as it is of a family United. Such a wonderful ending. I truly enjoyed this story very relatable.
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Richard Marcott
06/24/2021A touching story. Few have known the stress of not knowing if their loved one was going to make it or not. I can relate. A tough story--well told.
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Kevin Hughes
03/16/2021Steve,
I had to struggle through that. I almost stopped reading because I didn't know the ending. I am glad she made it, and made you a Grandfather too. This had to be tough to write, and it deserves the award from StoryStar.
Smiles, Kevin
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Shirley Smothers
03/16/2021What a wonderful story. Sometimes a crisis reminds us just how precious life is. What a heart warming story.
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Helsa
03/16/2021Wow! That's really so beautiful; Near to death experiences are frightening but they do give us hope. Such a heart-warming incident. I hope baby Larissa is doing good:) Regards;
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Steven W Kimball
03/16/2021Thank You Helsa. Larissa is actually all grown up now and has two wonderful children of her own. She is doing great!
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Gail Moore
03/16/2021I am so happy this had a wonderful end. I have had four children, all where neo natel as babies.
I know the pain you went through. It's heartbreaking having to leave your babies at the hands of healthcare.
They grow so fast. Enjoy every single moment and never stress the small stuff.
I just love the terrible twos. The time where their own personality becomes apparent.
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Steven W Kimball
03/16/2021Thank You Gail. I appreciate you taking the time to read this. Larissa, has given us many years of joy.
Help Us Understand What's Happening
JD
03/13/2021What a precious, beautiful, inspirational and life affirming story. Thank you for sharing your true life story with us, Steven.
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Steven W Kimball
03/16/2021Thank You Jd. Having joined this site less than a week ago, this really puts the top on an already warm welcome.
COMMENTS (9)