Tuesday, November 25, 2008

My Michelle

This is Michelle. She has just been with a part of this world of ours for the past few weeks. She came unannounced and somewhat untimely, but she is here with us nonetheless. Her mom went into premature labor when little Michelle was only 26 weeks in gestational age. After her first night in the hospital we were all encouraged to see that she made it through the night. Michelle didn't seem so surprised. She just went about her business and did what little babies do....she sleeps...she eats....she poops....she pees....and she cries for mom every now and then. Michelle was just over 700 grams when she came out, but every ounce of her is a fighter. She refuses to believe that she can't make it. She refuses to listen to those who say she hasn't got a chance in a bush hospital such as ours. She's a baby just like all the other babies...but just a bit on the skimpy side of the scale. She's now puttin' on the pounds....or grams I should say.....like nobody's business. Today she broke 800 grams for the first time! And then there's her mom. She always there....always watching....always feeding....always smiling. She's become quite comfortable in the neonatal unit, and she's always lending a hand and helping out with the new mothers as they come through. It's gotta be the highlight of my day to peer through the window into the neonatal unit to see her squirming around as she goes about another day. God is good....isn't he.

Dr. Kevin Raymer,
*International Family Medicine Fellow
Via Christi Family Medicine Residency Program
Wichita, Kansas

The International Family Medicine Fellowship is a PAPA Missions development partner.