His mama giggled as she sat him down, “Mira, seño Whitney!” she exclaimed, pointing at her son’s new tooth that emerged over night. 9 month old Cristofer sat grinning, almost as if he was self aware of his brand new tooth. I clapped. I cried. I took pictures. And we all laughed together in awe of his new smile!
9 months ago, I couldn’t have even imagined a tomorrow… much less Cristofer’s first tooth. We were out in the mountains that day to take pain medication to a young boy who was dying from bone cancer when we received a call about a critical baby. We hurried to meet them. As his mama placed her dying baby into my arms, she choked back tears and begged me to save him. His little nose flared as he arched his back and opened his mouth. An odd mixture of weak but active, he was fighting his hardest to breathe. 54% flashed in red lights on the pulse oximeter as his heart raced and you could hear the high pitch wheeze as he struggled to inhale. (Read what I posted the day it all happened by clicking HERE)
We rushed him to the National hospital in Chiquimula where he could be admitted to the NICU and stabilized. After getting bloodwork and hooking him up to IV’s, the staff wheeled him away as his mama locked eyes with me. I could hear her words reverberating in my head… “Please save him.” It was so hard to walk away, knowing it was out of my hands and that I may never see them again.
Calling every day to see how he was doing, the staff would update us on Cristofer’s small victories. His vitals stayed stable overnight. We are removing his breathing tubes. His oxygen has tapered down to 2 liters. He’s gaining weight. He’s being discharged to us!
Cristofer has some chronic health conditions that he will always deal with, but he is alive and thriving now and for that, I am happy. In this season, I will always choose to celebrate even the littlest victory, because I know daily victories turn into much bigger victories in time. Cristofer’s first tooth is so much more than just a developmental milestone that he has achieved, it is a symbol of his growth and a reminder of all he has overcome! As a new mamá, I am reminded to be thankful in all things– including a teething baby and a strong, healthy, oxygenated crying baby. I pray that Cristofer comes to know the saving grace of Jesus one day– and that when his mamá placed him in my arms and begged me to help him, he was already securely surrounded by Jesus’ healing hands. ¡Adelante, Cristofer! Bigger things are yet to come for you, sweet boy.
You are loved.
-Whitney
