What started out to be a negative, heart breaking situation, turned into a heart warming and greatest pleasure for the entire family.
Our middle daughter Ashley became pregnant at the age of 18 years old. We were all devastated that she allowed this to happen. Most of all, I felt that I had failed as a single parent. What did I do along the way that caused her to feel that she needed this to happen? Was it a mistake or was it done on purpose?
We went through all of the emotions, anger, sadness, hurt, confusion, devastation, etc. We finally accepted the fact that she wasn't going to change her mind about having this child, so we accepted it and moved on, quickly.
On Sept. 12th, 2002, this little baby was born that was the most perfect little baby I had ever seen. Her skin color was good, she had a full head of dark hair, her head was the most perfect shape head I had ever seen on a baby, and she was good. Taylor Kay is what they named her (Kay, after my middle name) and she was a mere 5 lbs.
Here she is at a few days old. When Ashley came home from the hospital, she became very sick and had a fever. She really couldn't care for Taylor, as she was weak and dizzy. After being at home for a couple of days, she had a fever of 105 and needed to go to the ER immediately.
That morning was a whirlwind of events and it is a day we will never forget. Pat was taking Michelle to school and they were involved in a pretty bad accident. I received a call from Michelle informing me that they had an accident, where it was and to bring Pat's wallet. I rushed to the scene and climbed in the back seat. Threw his wallet on the floor and pretended to find it there, as people were gathered around and he needed his ID for the Sheriff and the ambulance. Pat was very disoriented and never got out of the car. They transported him to the ER at Los Alamitos Regional Medical Center in Los Al. Michelle seemed to be well enough not to be transported by ambulance so she came home with me.
After arriving home, Ashley informed me that she was told to go to the ER immediately by her OB Dr. So here I was, a daughter that needed immediate medical attention after just giving birth to my granddaughter, a boyfriend that was on his way to the ER, via ambulance and a newborn baby in my hands. I asked my mother if she could drive Ashley to the ER in Newport Beach, as that is where Taylor was born and that is where Ashley's Dr. worked.
As they left to go to Hoag Hospital ER in Newport Beach, I was leaving to go to Los Alamitos R.M.C. ER in Los Alamitos, with newborn baby in tow!! Pat had a concussion and was still delirious. He missed a week of work but perfect timing because me and him had to watch Taylor for a whole week, while Ashley was in the hospital.
Ashley was so sick and they couldn't break her high fever. They had her on IVs, liquids, an ice blanket and it still stayed high. I felt so bad for her and didn't know what to do. I snuck Taylor into her room so that she could see her, since she hadn't seen her since she was practically born.
Pat and I watched Taylor for a whole week, he took the day shift and I took the night shift. It was a week we will never forget and this is probably why we have such a special bond that will never be broken.
