When I went into labor 17 weeks early, there was no time for us to consider our “options.”
When the nurse handed me the consent form, I had no idea what I was signing. I had no idea the life of my unborn baby was literally in my hands. At that moment, I did not know that babies born too soon are babies who are born sick. I did not know they spend days, months, even years in Intensive Care Units.
The only thing I did know was that I was willing to give my baby every chance he needed to grow into a kind and curious human being. I believed in him. And I signed the paper giving permission for doctor’s to use “all means necessary” to keep him alive.
During my son Jax’s 93 days in the NICU, I started hearing the term “million-dollar baby.”
There is some controversy on whether or not saving the life of an extremely premature infant is worth it. Some people seem to think that if a baby requires a million dollars to stay alive, then the quality of life for that child would be sad and the child would be a burden on society.
Jax’s medical claims have far surpassed one million dollars. We are sitting right around $1,100,000.
Jax has faced a lot of scary and life-threatening things in his life: he was on life support for three months, he’s had 7 surgeries, he’s needed lots of support and therapy to learn to eat, walk, and speak. He has a brain tumor.
But, if I was going to look at his life in terms of “options” and dollars and then decide if he was worth it? Well, then I’d have to say that the only option that matters is sitting right in front of us singing the ABCs and eating Cheerios.
It’s worth it. He’s worth it.
And when his medical claims surpass $2 million, he will still be worth it. Because his quality of life is not sad; he’s not a burden. And no one can put a price on this smile.
Share this:
An Early Start 
What It Means to Have a Million-Dollar Baby – An Early Start
fitflop sandal http://www.fitflop-sandal.com
LikeLike
What It Means to Have a Million-Dollar Baby – An Early Start
roger vivier sale http://www.rogervivierpairs.com
LikeLike
you’ve scheduled a home health aid to come in or you’ve hired a care manager to manage your loved one’s care. Whether your loved one has a homecare professional
chaqueta armani Colombia http://www.fairburnpb.com/
LikeLike
family of Caregivers who are there to support you 100% and a tremendous amount of resources that will help you along on your caregiving journey too. We could not have
Wellensteyn Winterjacke Herren http://www.csnsmartbus.net/
LikeLike
so seriously while learning to live life in the moment. Yesterday is gone, tomorrow has not arrived, what is important is today.
LikeLike
I Agree with you, our family had a child with medical problems and doctors keeps saying she would not live pass 5 years old but she lived to be 30 and we Thank God for All those Beautiful Years! That is why when I read anything about Jax, I thank you Andrea for sharing your Beautiful Son with All of Us!!
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing with me, Teresa. 30 years of beautiful memories are SO worth it! I’m sorry for your loss. How amazing that she defied the odds for so long!
LikeLike
Oh yes we are WAY beyond the $ 1 Million Dollar mark with Luca’s birth, 151 day NICU stay, follow up hospitalizations, surgeries, homecare nursing, medical equipment rentals, etc. There is no price too high to give these little warriors a chance at life and, to their families, their children to love.
LikeLike
No price too high is right! That’s why we have medical technology like the things our boys needed!
LikeLike
Well said!!!! Couldn’t agree more!
LikeLiked by 1 person