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On October 3, 1997, I became a grandmother!!!  But before I tell you about this miracle, I would like to give you a little background history about my daughter, Stephanie, and son-in-law, Shawn.  

Stephanie and Shawn have a story book romance. They met while in high school and married in 1994.  Desperately wanting a family, they decided to try immediately.  Since 1994, they have had 3 first trimester losses, and one second trimester loss.  Stephanie almost died during delivery in her last pregnancy.  Because the pregnancy had not progressed to the point of viability, their son did not live at birth.   

Although I couldn't begin to imagine the pain and anger that they had to endure during this time, I hurt for them.   After the fourth loss, Stephanie went to Indianapolis, to see an infertility specialist.  She then underwent surgery to correct a major problem that had caused her four pregnancy losses.  About five months later, she was pregnant again.  

Although Stephanie did not have the same problems during this pregnancy as she did the others, it was not without problems.   On October 1, when Stephanie was about 33 weeks pregnant (7 weeks before her due date), she began to bleed and was rushed to the hospital.  It was determined that she was not only dilated 2 cm, but that she was in labor too.  Medication was started to stop the labor from progressing.  Stephanie was given steroid shots to help develop the baby's lungs.  However, on October 3, the bleeding had still not stopped, and she was continuing to dilate.  Because there was a health risk for Stephanie, as well as for the baby, medication was started to speed up her labor.   Our worst fear was that the baby's lungs would be under developed.  There was also the possibility that the baby would not weigh enough.   

Later that day, Taylor Ray Cunningham was born. What a wonderful experience!  I was in the delivery room and witnessed my grandson's birth.  He was so beautiful.  I know that it sounds crazy, but I felt the presence of my mother in that room.  She had passed away a few months earlier.  Stephanie and Shawn were overjoyed with emotion. Taylor weighed 4 lbs. 5 ozs.  His lungs were totally developed.  What an answer to prayer.  We were told that he would be in the intensive care unit for several weeks.  We thought that everything would now be okay.  A few days later, we were told that Taylor had experienced an Intraventricular Hemorrhage - Grade III, prior to his birth.  The spinal fluid in his brain  was not draining properly and he had developed Hydrocephalus.  He needed surgery to have a shunt put in place.  Taylor was transported via ambulance to Riley Hospital in Indianapolis for surgery.   

Even though his weight dropped to 3 lbs. 9 ozs., he was so strong.  On October 17th, Taylor had surgery to have a shunt put in place.  We were not sure what to expect.  I know that we did not expect Taylor to come back from surgery looking like he did.  He was on a respirator, and looked terrible.  We were told that he would remain on the respirator for only a few hours.  Twenty four hours later, he was still on the respirator.  They were having trouble weaning him from it.  A few days later, he was so much better.  In fact, On October 22nd, Taylor went home weighing 4 lbs. 9 ozs.  

On November 8, Stephanie and Shawn rushed Taylor to the emergency room because he was fussy and was running a slight fever.  Riley Hospital had told them that these were the symptoms of the shunt malfunctioning.  By the time he had reached the hospital, he was having trouble breathing and Home Hospital transported him via ambulance back to Riley Hospital.  There it was determined that he had contracted Bacterial Meningitis.  He was immediately placed on a respirator.  Stephanie and Shawn were told that he was in critical condition and might not surive.  Antibiotics were started.  All we could do was to wait and pray...   

For the next several days, there was really no improvement.  He developed a touch of pneumonia.  On November 12th, he underwent surgery to have his shunt removed and a temporary one put in place.  Because the bacteria had went straight for the shunt, it was felt that it would be better to replace it.  The temporary shunt was one that would have to have the spinal fluid drained by inserting a needle into it.  This way, the spinal fluid could easily be tested for the bacteria.   The doctors did not give Stephanie and Shawn a very bright outlook.  The prognosis was that if Taylor survived, he would probably suffer brain damage.   

Taylor remained in the hospital another 4 weeks.  He had to have 21 days of antibiotics.  Prior to his dismissal, he had another surgery to remove the temporary shunt and had a permanent shunt put in place.  He is doing so much better.  He went home from the hospital weighing 7 lbs. 14 ozs.  The meningitis had left him with seizures.  He was also given medication for reflux.  After coming home from Riley Hospital, Taylor was started in weekly physical, developmental, and occupational therapy.   Taylor  is a miracle!!!  We thank God for him every day.  
  
We don't always know what we might face in the future,  but we do know that God has taken us this far and he will not fail us.   God continues to amaze us.   Our trust and faith are in Him! 

Update as of 6/99 (with pictures)