Those nine months a mom carries her baby are filled with joy, anticipation, and a dose of uncertainty. What the new parents hope for is their bundle of joy to be healthy. Sadly, that is not always the case.
Jennie Wilklow, from Highland, New York, couldn’t wait to meet her daughter. She and her husband were over the moon to hold her in their arms. All the ultrasounds and doctor’s appointment suggested the baby was healthy, so they were eased and never thought sweet Anna would be born with a condition that would change all of their lives forever.
Jennie delivered Anna via C-section at 34 weeks. Doctors told her she looked beautiful and that was all Jennie needed to hear at that point.
Shortly after, the proud mom heard her daughter cry, and that was just another sign that everything was right with her little jewel.
When her husband visited Jennie, he was strangely silent and looked worried and puzzled.
“My husband’s silence scared me; he just sat in shock as the doctor left, and I prodded for more info,” Jennie shared with Cafe Mom.
“He just kept saying, ‘It’s bad.’ What does that even mean? I thought in my head. He told me, ‘Jennie, I looked in her eyes, and she has the most beautiful soul.’”
Anna was diagnosed with harlequin ichthyosis, a rare condition that causes thick diamond-shaped plates that are separated by deep cracks. “As they tried frantically to help her, her skin hardened within seconds (of birth). After hardening, it began to split, causing open wounds all over her body,” Jennie told Cafe Mom.
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Although doctors weren’t sure she would survive, Anna beat the odds and is thriving. “She was beauty in the purest form,” her mom said.
There isn’t cure, and the treatment is quite demanding as it requires constant baths and keeping the skin as much moisturized as possible. “Every couple of hours I covered her with Vaseline and bathed her for many hours of the day. I had dreamed for years about the things my baby would wear, and though it seemed so trivial, it was what I struggled with most,” Jennie said.
In an attempt to raise awareness about this condition, Jennie posts photos of Anna on her Instagram page harlequindiva. She opens up about the everyday struggles and what it is like to have a child with harlequin ichthyosis.
“Anna captured everyone’s hearts because she is the purest form of perfection. Doing the work every day is simple when I’m doing it for her, and with every new accomplishment, the world celebrates with me,” Jennie told Cafe Mom.
She adds, “I now understand that I was given her because of the love I already carried in my heart for my daughter. Anna was meant for me, and I for her, and together we will show the world what true beauty is.”
Husband Fails to Acknowledge Wife on Their 50th Anniversary, Comes Home to Find His Belongings Outside
Betty Carmichael was furious when her husband, Donald, forgot their 50th wedding anniversary. This time, she wouldn’t let it slide. After fifty years of marriage, she felt she deserved more than the silence that greeted her special day.
As she waited for him to come home, she grew angrier. Donald hadn’t even bothered to show up for the dinner she prepared. When he finally arrived, Betty stood on the porch, ready to confront him. She couldn’t contain her anger and began tossing his belongings into the yard, thinking about how unappreciated she felt.
When Donald saw the mess, he was shocked and confused. Betty declared that she wanted a divorce, feeling that Donald took her for granted. She was tired of reminding him of important dates, especially after all the years they had shared. Donald tried to defend himself, claiming that he loved her
In a surprising turn of events, he revealed that he had been waiting for their granddaughter, Hannah, to surprise Betty. He had arranged her visit as a special gift, knowing how much Betty missed her.
Overjoyed, Betty rushed to embrace Hannah, realizing her mistake in assuming the worst. Donald reassured her that he hadn’t strayed from their love over the years. They reconciled and tidied up the yard together.
That night, Donald surprised Betty again by announcing a party for their anniversary, complete with a vow renewal ceremony. He even got down on one knee and asked her to marry him again, presenting her with a ring.
The next day, they celebrated their milestone surrounded by family and friends. Betty felt grateful for Donald and vowed never to doubt his love again. She learned that trust is essential in a relationship and that everyday moments matter just as much as special occasions.
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