By Cassandra Shelton
Mommy to Micah
Born premature at 24 weeks in May 2023
On the morning of May 5th, everything seemed ordinary. I was nearly 24 weeks pregnant, feeling grateful and hopeful, as any expectant mother would. But that night, I felt severe cramping and, realizing something was wrong, I went to the ER. Part of me hoped I was overreacting, but I soon learned I was in preterm labor, already two centimeters dilated. I was immediately given magnesium sulfate, steroid shots, and put on bed rest, with doctors aiming to slow down labor for as long as possible, ideally until my August 27th due date.
At the start of my pregnancy, I was fearless. It had been smooth, aside from the usual morning sickness. I was dreaming of a birth experience like my sister’s, one that was calm and joyful. But just five days after being admitted, everything changed. I was in my hospital bed when I felt something wasn’t right. The nurse called in the doctor, and I learned I had dilated further to three centimeters, with my water bulging and baby Micah still breech. Within moments, I was rushed into surgery for an emergency C-section. My husband and I clung to our faith, praying for our son’s safety. At 11:51 a.m. on May 10th, Micah Ray was born. He was so tiny—only 1 pound 9 ounces. But he gave a small cry, and I saw his little arm raise as if he were waving at me before he was whisked to the NICU. That cry filled me with fragile hope.
Our NICU journey was full of trials. Micah faced a PDA (a small opening in his heart), pneumonia, countless blood transfusions, X-rays, labs, a PICC line, a feeding tube, and treatment for jaundice. He was on various forms of respiratory support, moving from an oscillator to NIPPV to CPAP, all with incredible resilience.
For over three months, our life revolved around the NICU. I developed a routine: wake up, go to the hospital, and stay by Micah’s side as long as I could. It was challenging to balance my own needs with my overwhelming desire to be with him. My heart ached to be with him 24/7, but I also had to take care of myself—sleep, shower, eat, and prepare our home for his arrival.
In the midst of this challenging journey, On Angel’s Wings entered our lives. Just days after Micah was born, they captured some of our first moments with him. A few months later, they returned to photograph his first bath, a simple but profound milestone for our family. These photos are a testament to Micah’s strength and a reminder of how precious every step of his journey has been.
After 138 days in the NICU, Micah finally came home. He was only a month past his due date, but bringing him home made our family feel complete. It was an adjustment, not having the nurses nearby to answer every question, but it was the best day of our lives.
The day after we brought him home, On Angels’ Wings provided us with more photos, capturing our first moments as a family in our own space. Seeing these pictures alongside those taken when he was only 24 weeks old tells the beautiful story of Micah’s journey. These images mean everything to us. They are a powerful reminder of how far Micah has come, and we treasure every single one.
Since coming home, Micah has been thriving. He no longer needs oxygen during the day, and we’re working on weaning him off it at night. Many doctor’s appointments later, he’s practically your typical one-year-old. He’s a ball of energy, always on the move, and fascinated with animals and any cabinet he can explore.
Having On Angels’ Wings as part of our journey was one of the most rewarding aspects of this experience. Their work is invaluable, allowing families like ours to hold onto these moments of strength and resilience. These photos will always be a cherished reminder of Micah’s incredible journey and the love that has carried him through. We are eternally grateful.
