Preemie Prints Information Blog: 2012 Fundraising Family: The El Kasmi Team

Team El Kasmi

To All Our Family and Friends:

We are so proud of Adam, and his journey! Our first year was a slow and scary one, but we are so grateful for all of our prayers answered! There is only one explanation for this.. HE IS OUR MIRACLE!

We are so excited that he is in the Preemie Prints Calendar, and that we can be a part of something so special. I hope everyone can take a moment and tip your hat to Amber- for making Preemie Prints...a wonderful organization...please take a moment if you can and visit her website...www.preemieprints.org.

We will always remember how Adam made his way into the world, and how he fought against great odds the day he was delivered. When you dream, hope and pray the day your baby arrives into your arms - there is nothing more precious, more sentimental, and more amazing than the birth of your child. When they arrive in a way that Adam did, it is so scary and so unreal. It is very hard to put in words what that experience and emotion does .When I was air lifted for his delivery, I was in great denial about what the doctors were saying . There was no way this could be possible. I was just not ready to make peace and say "good bye" to our little Adam. Perhaps that was a good thing, ignorance is bliss, because the doctors did not expect our Adam to make the delivery and go to the NICU. I was not able to comprehend "the talk" just moments before his delivery.

After CPR and being immediately placed on a vent - a machine to breath FOR him and 2 chest tubes - our little miracle made it to the NICU. He was followed, though, with a list of 14 diagnostic problems- all of which were very dangerous, and all of which needed medical intervention immediately. He stayed in the pod for 3 long weeks... in a coma and on the vent. He had a rocky start, he had many scary days, and many scary medical procedures in which there were decisions to be made, and consents to be given for his care. We had to hear talk about him being on "deaths door" , as well as his crucial first moments on "death watch". It makes for a heart to crumble, spirits and faith to be tested. Most of all , it makes you question everything, bargain, beg and plead with god.

We were not allowed to hold him for a month, it was pure torture to not be able to hold him. He was so sick, but we spent every single day at his bed side. Many nights into the early morning hours, I sang to him, touched his tiny hands and feet, stroking his little body with my finger. Many days I had to be "kicked out" (very politely and compassionately might I add) from his nurses, as I was recovering from a c section. Ryan was admitted to the floor above Adam when he was only 6 days old- with a Ruptured Appendix- and he spent a week there...so mommy never got a break. I only managed to come home for 3 different occasions in 2 1/2 months. I was so worried if I left- even to try and eat, or pump my milk for him- that I would get "the call" telling me in a panic, to come back immediately because he coded, or far worse that he passed.

So thankful, that I was able to stay across the the street from the hospital. Even though it was so very hard to be away from home and have our family apart.. we knew Mommy had to be right there all the time for Adam. Daddy came back and forth keeping the home front going, and spend the weekends up there in St Pete. Janette, Ryan and Sara also came up and spent the night many times a week, and also spending weekends together. A great big hand for Auntie Noreen "CEE CEE"- who came for a month.

I'm not sure, even now- how we made it through that time. I am not sure if I will ever be able to "get over it", but this I do know...we are so thankful to all of our friends and family who sent love and care, prayers and kind words when we really needed it. I am so sure of miracles, the test of faith , hope and love. When in my darkest hour, the most fearful journey that a parent should ever have to walk through, we always felt we could lean on love.

I am so thankful to have met Amber through such a magnificent way, and am always telling people and spreading the word about Preemie Prints. It is something that touched my heart so tenderly. I could never say enough- how special it was to have her kindness and her compassion touch our family! Please support Preemie Prints through such a sweet and adorable calendar fundraiser... It would mean so much to me and all the families who have been through, and are going through the most difficult and hardest time in their lives.

Please join THE EL KASMI FAMILY - Moe, Kristin, Janette, Ryan , Sara and of course our Adam- in Adam Joseph's honor, please buy a calendar and know that it is a great cause and that so many families will be touched! Here are a few photos of how far our sweet Miracle has come!

OUR TEAM GOAL IS TO ORDER 40 CALENDARS!

Team Members

Team Leader: Kristin & Family-Contact me if you need help healinghands71@hotmail.com

Jennifer Ball

Christy Keefe

Victoria Leonard

Anne Wuslow

Jan Fender

Dorothy Chiu

Noreen Cousins

John Adrien

HERE IS THE FRONT COVER OF THE CALENDAR AND A PREVIEW

YOU CAN PRINT OFF THIS ORDER FORM AND MAIL IN WITH OUR TEAM NAME AND A CHECK OR MONEY ORDER OR JUST USE THE BUTTON BELOW TO ORDER WITH A CREDIT CARD TO BE AUTOMATICALLY ADDED TO OUR TEAM. CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED ANY HELP! ~KRISTIN