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Ziere's Story

"For most, finding out you're expecting becomes a sudden shock mixed with fear and disappointment..."

For me it was nervousness mixed with excitement. Nervous because I wanted to be the best mother and excited because I couldn't wait to hear the words "it's a girl"! However, my pregnancy wasn't as peachy as it is for most. When a mother is carrying a child she is already under stress because of her hormones and most of all being able to go through her childbirth normally and successfully.

My pregnancy was considered highrisk from 4 1/2 months until I had my baby girl. The genetics doctors and so on told me that she was born with CMV and going to have multiple handicaps, they just didn't know how severe or mild it was going to be. Can you imagine doctors telling you that something is going to be wrong with your child and there is no cure. She could be blind, deaf, not walk, nor talk and motor skills could be delayed. That's not even the worst part; they say that just because these findings didn't show at birth, they can down the line.

They found their statements to be accurate because they took cells from her through the amniotic sac. I was devasted my first born, the baby girl I've always wanted, is going to be ill is what I was thinking. I was perscribed with an investigational antibiotic called ganciclovir, which is supposed to help or try to prevent any other abnormalities with my child.

They told me that her head was very small, my amniotic fluid was low, there was a cyst on her brain, my placenta wasn't giving her enough nutrients, and one of her ventricles was off. These findings were presented to me through the ultrasound. When my daughter was 6 months old they told me that they wanted her to have a MRI because of her small head. When the result came back, they told me that her cerebrum tonsills were too long and she would have to have brain surgery to prevent fluid blockage to the spine. After talking very long with the neurosurgeon he said to wait a year, she will probably grow into it and brain surgery might not be neccessary. A year later another MRI result came back and my daughter was FREE OF BRAIN SURGERY!

I prayed everyday for her with both hands on my tummy. I was then reminded that no matter what anyone says GOD has the FINAL word. I am constantly reminded by doctors that abnormalities can still appear anytime, so I worry still but I pray! My baby was and still is a healthy little girl. She will be 5 years old in 3 months and she is so smart, does everything the doctors said she would most likely NOT do. She is also doing well with learning how to read and write her name. She is definitely a MIRACLE!

I love her so much and if you didn't have much faith before reading this, I pray that you change your mind. Miracles do happen. I know because I've been blessed with Ziere! Mommy Loves You, Miracle! Hugs and Kisses! FOREVER YOUR MOMMY!

- Shared by her mother, Ashanti

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