My preemie is now 5 and healthy

Kecia Brown - 08:33pm Jan 19, 2005 EST

My daughter was born at 31 weeks and weighed 3 lbs, 1 1/2 ou. I didn't realize that I had preeclampsia, and I blew up like a balloon while we were on vacation in Lake Tahoe.
Our daughter was in the hospital for 2 months and came home on an apnea monitor, caffeine, and had feeding problems. We had many scary days and nights with false alarms from the apnea monitor and just waking up to listen to her breathe! Those first two years of keeping her indoors were a scary and lonely time.
Now, she is 5 and very healthy, loving, and athletic, plays the piano, and keeps me running after her. I am thankful, daily, that she has always been a fighter and that she is such a precious gift to us and others that know her.
For all of you that have a preemie.....be strong and plan to do whatever you must for your beautiful baby! You have many people out there who are cheering for you and your family in this challenging time.
God Bless!!
K. Brown