A LONG SHOT BECOMES a Long Baby

Not sure my words will give this story enough justice as

words are not enough to describe the miracle the

new Long life has shown us all.

About 20 years ago, when working for Dr. Pitre

she being anew physician, and I her nurse,

(calm down HIPPA, have permission from Andre and Dr. P.)

two sweet and beautiful little girls came into her office.

They were only a year apart, as close as siblings could be

and the youngest had grown so much compared to her

beautiful older sister.

Although big sis, Andre' was 5, she looked to be the younger

one compared to her 4 year old sister, Emily.

Dr. Pitre, being the wonderful doc she is right away

inquired about Andre's small stature and always having

a cough. Her Mom, Robbin shared that she had been seen

by many doctors in the past but all assured she was just petite.

Dr. Pitre disagreed and suggested a sweat test to be done

to rule out Cystic Fibrosis. I saw her Mothers face,

saw the worry in her eyes, I scheduled the appointment.

A few days later, the diagnosis came in,

our little pediatric patient had Cystic Fibrosis.

I remember the day she and her parents came

in for the results. Dr. Pitre's office was full of patients

and yet each time I opened the door to call another patient in,

it was the Pitre's I saw, Robbin I could not make eye contact with.

She and I have spoken of that day many times since.

I knew if I made eye contact with her,  I would break down.

Robbin shared, that my lack of being to make eye contact

assured her that her baby girl had CF.

Finally, it was time to call in the Pitre's.

I escorted Jed and Robbin into DR. P. office

and I took sweet Andre' with me.

She sat on my lap, I showed her how to draw a few things.

I smelled her hair, smelling like baby shampoo and tried

not to cry, I said silent prayers while she sat with me.

Surprisingly, aside from that very day, her parents

took her home, did all they had to do to keep her healthy 

and refused to think nor dwell on all that may become 

of their little daughters life.

Throughout her childhood, she and I were close as

she would let no one else give her shots, draw her blood.

I was honored in that position. Such a brave little girl,

such a trooper, such a sweetie.

A few years later, we became their back yard neighbors.

Gypsy was a little younger but every once in 

a while there were play dates.

to pretend that her little life, her parents lives, her sisters lives

were perfect would be wrong.

There were many many times that they feared for Andre's life.

There were many times she was hospitalized, some of those times

on a ventilator and not sure if she would pull through.

I always admired them because only positive thoughts lived

in their lives. Whether her parents held each other and cried

themselves to sleep will be known by none but themselves.

They were determined to bring both their girls believing

that all things were within their reach.

Where many Cystic Fibrosis children would be overprotected

and coddled, Pitre Parents left nothing out of their grasp.

Andre' danced when they said she would not.

she excelled at everything she touched with her family always

cheering her on. She continued to add years to her life,

to do all that others said she never would.

Was on dance team at her high school, 

went and worked hard for a degree at her family's most

prized college, LSU.

As would follow most young women, she fell in love 

with a most special young man, Brian Long.

I have not met this young man but if Andre' loves him, then 

he is a special man. She and her sister, Em continued to 

live their lives very similar. When Em fell in love and became 

engaged, so did Andre'. Their weddings were so close together

but their daddy would give them each what their heart desired,

it is the kind of daddy he is.

Then, after both weddings, came the next part in most newly married

couples experience. Pregnancy, pregnancy for her baby sister, Emily.

This was the one thing that many said Andre' would never experience,

the thought that she would get pregnant would be almost impossible,

carrying a baby to term would be a detriment to Andre's health,

to carry to term very hard to do.

I know I was not the only one who was silently sad that this would

be the one aspect her sister would experience that Andre' would not.

However, I should have learned this over the many years,

don't tell Andre' she can't do something as not only will she do

it but will do it perfect ally. Not long after Emily, Andre' announced she

too was pregnant. It was hard to be ecstatic about it as if you know

anything about CF, you know what complications can come with 

pregnancy, the worst being the loss of the Mommy who suffers with CF.

I followed Andre' closely throughout the pregnancy, began sending her

private messages just letting her know how I was praying and wishing all

to be well. Emilee gave birth to her beautiful baby daughter, Haylee and

they anxiously hoped for a full term baby for Andre', a

new cousin for Haylee.

The Long's decided on not knowing the gender of their baby.

When all were saying it would be better for Andre' to have a section,

she wanted to go into labor on her own, have her baby 

as most others do. I was just so excited and praying

when I got a PM from Andre' herself that she was not only in 

active labor but 8 cm. dilated. I mean how many Mommies

are in labor and private messaging at 8 cm???

Finally, the wait was over for all, a beautiful

baby boy born, Brayson Long.

A perfect and beautiful little baby.

My hero today?

His very own Mommy, Andre'

As I ask, this morning, for permission to post a beautiful 

miracle, her words to me were,

"OF COURSE! I AM STILL IN AWEOF THE WHOLE SITUATION

ALSO. I COULD JUST STARE AT HIM ALL DAY AND CRY

TEARS OF JOY"

I am so very proud to have known this child, this family since

the day their whole lives changed back on the day they 

first heard the words "Cystic Fibrosis"

Andre' had never strayed from her belief of living a most 

beautiful life.

Forever, this little boy must know how special he is,

that many thought he never would be. How much

his Daddy loves his Mommy and probably had to keep

his worries of possibly loosing his wife and child yet

standing by his beautiful bride, supporting her in any decisions she

chose This morning, he has not only a wonderful wife, 

but a little boy to add to his list of miracles.

Happy Mothers Day, sweet Andre'

and not to make light her sisters sweet pregnancy and baby girl,

Happy Mommy's day to you also, Emily.

As Andre' said to me when discussing how close the babies

will be in age, she shared,

"It's going to be like Em and I all over again"

Well almost, as a boy in this story....

Love to you all, Pitre's!