There indeed is light at the end of the tunnel

There indeed is light at the end of the tunnel

Abhishek J. M. Project Lead, Validation and Verification, Edison, USA.

Pregnancies are good news, aren’t they? And though there are anxious moments, the expected news from a labor room is mostly positive, isn’t it? Especially in these modern times with the current technological advancements, that’s what you would think, right? But you would be amazed to know how many couples face unimaginable trials and tribulations during this supposedly "magical" experience of bringing a new life into this world. My story here will give you a glimpse into the other aspect of this journey – of uncertainty, unbelievable decisions and despair

Ours was a fairytale too until the 7 th month of my wife's pregnancy and it went downhill after that. A small problem turned out to be serious liver functionality issue that threatened the life of our unborn child. Various blood tests were done, the samples sent to Mumbai, but the doctors were not even close to diagnosing the problem. All we heard was that this was the ‘acute fatty liver of pregnancy’.

We were asked to prepare for a premature delivery. The doctors suggested delivering in the 8th month as there was no other way out. I had to sign a form asking whether I would like to save the mother or baby, if it came to that. How could I consciously decide on whose life I wanted to save - either my wife or my child? I signed that my wife had to be saved and whispered a sorry to my unborn child. The mountain of worries seemed to get higher and hopelessness engulfed our lives.

Finally, when my wife Anusha entered the Operation Theatre like the warrior that she is, I had no inkling how this would end. Shortly after, a nurse called out my name to tell me good and bad news: Good news was that I was a proud father to a baby girl. On the other hand, my wife was headed to the ICU. My first words to our child was “We will get your mother back, ok?”

13 days later, my wife was discharged from the ICU, pale but happy, holding our little princess In the end, it not just turned out to be a magical experience, but one that tested our patience, faith, & hope.