Lainie’s career flourished after her move to California. She loved her job, the mild weather, and the circle of close friends she acquired. At 35 years of age, Lainie was content with everything in her life, except the deafening tick of her biological clock!

Lainie’s last few birthdays had been dreaded, reminders that she was still single and childless. Being the product of a large family, five siblings to be exact, she yearned to have a child of her own. She worried, she stewed, and studied her financial situation. Once sure she could handle all aspects of being a single mother, she discussed the situation with close friends, as well as her mother. After a bit more deliberation, she opted to “go for it.” As if by design, her first attempt at in vitro fertilization was successful. Lainie was thrilled!

The first 27 weeks of Lainie’s pregnancy were perfect and each day her excitement soared. At 28 weeks things changed

in a heartbeat; the situation became critical and she

was terrified.

When pre-eclampsia reared its ugly head, an emergency C-section was the only option. Moreover, it came with no promise of survival for Mother or child. Lainie had already named her unborn son, Chance, and she prayed to God for just that-a chance of survival for her child.

Weighing in at 1 pound and 15 ounces, the premature baby boy had been aptly named, for he was given a 50-50 chance of making it through his first night.

Should he survive, he faced the probability

of numerous health problems: mental retardation, cerebral palsy, blindness, and cystic fibrosis, to name only a few. The doctors

were straightforward and not encouraging. Lainie

remained in intensive

care for 10 anxiety-ridden

days. —achieveezine.com