When my daughter was born, she was going to be just like every other baby with that first cry that is music to every mother's ears. Well that didn't happen. Our daughter was born with a metabolic disorder called NKH and she had uncontrollable seizures. She was transported to Miami Children's Hospital.
The first month of her life was scary and pretty much day to day. After numerous procedures, blood work and a lot of tears, we had to make the decision to take her off the ventilator which she was relying on 100%. We were told she probably wouldn't make it after a few hours of the vent being removed. The day before I knew was going to be the worst day of my life, our nurse who we had just met, Marissa, requested to have her the next day. I thought she was crazy to request to be in the room with us during that horrible time, but little did I know where our lives would take us.
The day arrived and I walked into NICU with tears in my eyes and my husband's hand in mine. They were going to take her off the vent and standing beside us was her nurse Marissa. The respiratory team removed the vent and Marissa placed her in my arms with her own eyes filled with tears. It was at that moment that I looked at Marissa and saw how much compassion she had for her and my family. What kind of person would want to sit there to witness a family go through this? The answer was simple. One who loves their job and looks at these babies with love in her eyes and her heart filled with love. One who I will never forget.
My daughter is a miracle baby and is currently with us. Her condition is not curable and we live everyday wondering where the next day might take us. The power of prayer is real. It is looking like she will be able to come home. Marissa has requested to have her as her assignment. I would not want it any other way. The one who has stood by our side through this long and bumpy road. The one who had so much love for my family she wanted to be the one who would spend (what we thought) the last few hours of my baby's life with us. The one who will see us off as we take on this journey we are about to be given.
I hope Marissa knows how much we appreciate everything she has done. Our daughter will always know about Marissa. I know she will look at Marissa with the same love in her heart that Marissa has had for her.