My son was born at just 23 weeks into my pregnancy. His incredible fight for survival inspired me to realize that I could accomplish anything.
No one believed my son, Evan, would survive childbirth, let alone thrive as a healthy 6-year-old today. At 6 weeks pregnant, I experienced a significant bleed that led me to believe I had miscarried. I continued to bleed intermittently until around 14 weeks, but each time I visited my doctor, Evan’s heartbeat was strong, and a follow-up anatomy scan at 20 weeks showed everything was perfect. However, everything changed at 23 weeks when I developed a fever and was rushed to the emergency room. Doctors suspected an infection, but weren’t sure of its source—was it my appendix or my kidneys? Though I felt some cramps, my cervix was closed, leading the medical staff to conclude that I wasn’t in labor.
Running became a therapeutic way for me to process my NICU experience. I channeled my energy into training, ultimately completing 147 miles in his honor. This journey allowed me to raise significant funds for other families facing similar challenges.
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In summary, my son’s NICU journey not only taught me resilience but also fueled my desire to support other families through fundraising efforts. Running those 147 miles was more than just a physical challenge; it was a way to honor his strength and pave the way for others.