After a Kentucky woman went into labor three months before her due date, she and her husband worried if their tiny baby would ever make it out of the NICU.
Nicole and Blaine Mike have been trying to have a baby for 10 years, so they were absolutely thrilled when they found out they were expecting a baby. But their elation was short-lived. Nicole went into labor only 21 weeks into the pregnancy on Oct. 24.
Because baby Meredith was born so prematurely, she would have to overcome incredible obstacles if she was going to survive. The baby, who weighed just two pounds, faced pneumonia, lung collapse, heart surgery, blood transfusions, eye treatments and much more. Incredibly, she overcame almost everything and after three months in the NICU, baby Meredith was finally allowed to go home.
Meredith still needs continuous oxygen and needs to see eye and lung specialists for now, but doctors are confident she’ll outgrow the issues. “Other than lungs and eyes, Meredith is a medical miracle,” Nicole said. “She has been referred to as a ‘miracle baby’ many times by doctors and nurses at University of Tennessee Medical Center.”
And when it was time for Nicole and Blaine Mike to drive Meredith home, they were thrilled. Yet they soon found out that they weren’t the only ones excited. As they drove into town, the couple discovered the town had planned a parade just for Meredith that had almost 100 pink cars, pink fireworks, balloons, and streamers. Once they got home, they also found two giant pink teddy bears on their front lawn. “We had heard that our community had planned a special homecoming, but we could have never prepared ourselves for such an overwhelming and heartwarming arrival!” Nicole said. “We were beaming with pure joy and gratitude ― in addition to pride in being such a part of a wonderful town!”
While Meredith was in the NICU, the Middlesboro community came together to comfort and aid her family. “We were completely overcome by the continuous spiritual, emotional and financial support we received during our three-month hospital stay. We were receiving, cards, phone calls, and love offerings daily. People sent bible verses, prayers and words of encouragement via my mother-in-law’s Facebook page,” Nicole said about the support they received while Meredith was in the hospital. “Each of those cards, comments, prayers, and offerings were often what got us through many dark days,” Nicole said.
“Regardless of the situation, the bleak outlook, the tumultuous circumstances, the dim prognosis, NEVER give up on a prayer request! NEVER give up on a dream,” Nicole said. “NEVER give up on people!”
Watch the entire video below to see the heartwarming thing one town did to show their support for these new parents.
How would you react if you saw those touching messages while driving home for the first time with your baby? Let us know what you think in the comments below and please SHARE this with friends on Facebook.
[Featured Image: The Mike Family]
Community Organizes Surprise Homecoming For Couple’s Preemie is an article from: LifeDaily