Meet Rebecca Wise, a wife and mother whose life was turned upside down when her youngest child was born after just twenty-seven weeks of pregnancy. The NICU became her new normal and finally coming home proved to be tougher than expected, but the miracle of her daughter's life is not to be overlooked.
People often come to us to fundraise for mission trips, adoptions, or nonprofits, but you had something else in mind entirely…
Our lives completely turned upside down on the night of September 15th. I had already been in the hospital for a week, I was 26 weeks pregnant with extremely high blood pressure. They released me on September 14th, just for me to return on September 15th. I was transported to Jackson (about 3 hours from home) via ambulance for what we thought would be observation, however after arriving there at the wee hours of the morning my heart went into A-fib, my blood pressure was no longer able to be controlled with IV medications, and I was listed in critical condition. My sweet 27 week baby had to be born.
I was alone and scared. My husband was trying to get there as fast as he could, but she was born 6 minutes before he arrived, via emergency c-section. She weighed 1 pound and 13 ounces and 13.5 inches long and so tiny.
With this immediate change in our lives, and the amount of medical bills, we knew this was nothing we would be able to do on our own. We had used Fund the nations previously with an adoption and thought we would do it again. We had several people asking what they could do, and in the moment we were lost for words. We wanted people to pray. We needed lots but weren't sure what. We chose a shirt that would cause people to ask what does #prayforRuthAnn mean in hopes we would be able to share the miracle of her life with any and everyone.
What’s one challenge you never expected that has come with living with a preemie?
Oh goodness, protection, separation, and cleanliness. I was semi-protective of my other children, but with Ruth Ann we are super protective because any small “allergy” or “cold” can really take a toll on her. We have had to keep her away from most everyone. We don’t take anywhere. This was/is hard on me because I am such a people person, and again, I want the world to know our girl. She is beautiful and perfect. Not only is separation after coming home hard, being in the hospital for 89 days with very little visitors was SUPER hard as well.
What are the most helpful ways people rallied around and supported your family during the weeks your daughter was in the hospital?
People brought meals, gas gift cards (since we were 3 hours from home). I lived in Jackson with her, and Dusty lived in Columbus with the other 3 children and would come down every weekend so the gas cards were super helpful. We had friends that would help bathe the kids at home, as Dusty was trying to raise all 3 alone and continue working, doing homework, etc. Someone cleaned our house. People in Jackson, whom I didn’t even know, but saw our story online, would bring me lunch and dinner to the hospital. They offered to take me to different places to get out in between times I could be with Ruth Ann. We were flooded with love and support.
What has this experience taught you about loving and caring for others during their time of need?
IT IS A MUST! People are hurting and saying “we are good, we don’t need anything” but the truth is they NEED you, they need someone to SHOW they care. Someone to put words into action. Don’t just say “I’m praying for you. Do something for about it. Pray and ask God, “How can I help” – THEN DO IT!
What advice would you give to someone who wants to support a family in a situation similar to yours?
DO IT... and don’t give up on them once they are home. Coming home is a whole new ballgame. Little sleep, new routines, being pulled in all kinds of directions. Sit with them. Clean for them. Feed them. Do this for months, not for a day. Get a crew of people to join you. Offer to watch the baby so the rest of the family can attend church together (this has happened twice for us in 7 months, this is why it is important for someone to step up). Do not always assume they are ok simply because the outward appearance shows that they are. Love them from the outside in.
CONNECT WITH REBECCA:
