Journal entry by Sammie Koppenhaver —
One year ago today I went to my anatomy scan with Etta, excited to see her face and wondering if she’d look like her sister, and was completely blindsided when I was told something was wrong. After a meeting with a high risk team and a surprise amniocentises I left the appointment not sure we’d ever get to meet her. I’m so, so grateful that we did. The snuggles are extra sweet today 🩵
She’s got her next echo coming up, so we will see how her heart is faring.
In the meantime, she astounds me every day by living oblivious to the odds and thriving in so many ways.
She makes us all smile, she loves her sister especially. She loves to cuddle and is very ‘go with the flow’. She loves to laugh and smile.
For months after we were given the news all I could do was pray and wish for her to be okay. It was all I wanted. Please, please just let her be okay. I need her to be okay.
A year later, it’s hard to find the exact words to express how it feels holding her, putting my cheek to her soft fuzzy head while she sleeps, and having just what I prayed for. We’ve still got a few challenges ahead of us, but she’s here and it’s nothing we can’t handle.
It’s mushy and sentimental but I’m so appreciative for all the prayers, kind words, good thoughts, and support we’ve had over the last year.
365 days ago I had no idea what the future held. I just couldn’t fathom a world without her. But here we are.
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