JOSHUA - The Miracle Baby
By Allison Tang
 
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JOSHUA - THE MIRACLE BABY
By Allison Tang

November 23, 1998 was a fateful day. I was 5-1/2 months' pregnant with my first baby and suffering from hypertension (high blood pressure). During my visit to the doctor that day, I was immediately recommended to be admitted to the hospital for rest and further investigation.

My baby's weakening heartbeat was also a major cause for concern. An image scan to determine the baby's fluid and oxygen intake showed that there was little fluid or oxygen going into the baby's system. My elevated hypertensive condition was not improving and the doctor said there was no effective medication to bring it down either. This would endanger both mother and baby's life. He advised for a caesarean section to be done immediately.

My husband, of course, wanted to know what the odds were, for both mother and baby. He was told that my chances were 40% and the baby's 10% only. Furthermore, the hospital had no experience with cases like this. We were devastated. We felt the world crumbling on us.

We were also told the medical expenses could easily amount to RM50,000. That was also another blow. How and where were we going to get such a huge sum of money? My mind was swirling. I didn't want to lose my baby. I didn't want to die either.

I remembered one of my friends was a nurse. Desperate for some advice on whether I should get myself to a government hospital after the caesarean, I decided to call her. Unfortunately, she was not in, so I left a message. I was pleasantly surprised when she came to visit me that night. Upon hearing my story, she advised that it would not be wise to move the baby around since it was too premature and fragile, and had promised to come and visit me after the operation.

I was full of trepidation the night before the operation. The nurse was closely monitoring my blood pressure and the baby's heartbeat. The operation scheduled for 12.30 p.m. on November 25 had to be pushed forward to 10.30 a.m. My blood pressure remained high. The baby's heart beat continued to weaken. The doctors had no choice but to operate as soon as possible.

Left alone in my room, waiting to be transferred to the operating theatre, I began to cry. I felt helpless. I was afraid of losing my baby, yet I could not do anything to help.

It was at that opportune moment that my friend, Nallie walked into my room, bringing her deputy home fellowship leader with her. They comforted me and asked whether they could pray for me. Of course it was an emphatic "YES!" Both of them prayed for me and read a Psalm from the Bible. I didn't understand a word of what they said, but I remembered very clearly these words, "Allison, God has a purpose for all this". Being a non-Christian then, I did not understand what she meant. But their prayers and comforting words gave me a warm assurance. I felt much calmer and less fearful when I was pushed to the operating theatre.

After the operation, my husband informed me there was a knot in the baby's umbilical cord. The umbilical cord had also gone twice round the baby's neck. This had resulted in little fluid and oxygen flowing into the baby's system. It was truly by God's grace that both of us survived the operation.

My baby weighed a mere 500 grammes at birth. He was so tiny and fragile and had to be kept in the hospital for observation. On November 30, the doctor phoned me at home asking me to give him a name and to visit him everyday. After I put down the phone, the name 'Joshua' kept coming to my mind. I discussed this with my husband and discovered he had also thought of this name 2 days earlier. Amazingly, I found out a few weeks later that Joshua meant 'God Saves or God is my Salvation'.

Little Joshua weighed a mere 500 grammes at birth.

All this while, my sister-in-law had kept the Eden home fellowship informed of my situation. Everyone in Eden was praying relentlessly for me and Joshua. Although I had just got to know them, they have quickly become a part of my life. I was touched by their love, care and concern. Finally, on December 3, 1998, I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Saviour.

During this short time, my brother and cousin also came to know God. My backslidden sisters-in-law rededicated their lives to God and began to attend church faithfully.

Joshua was in the hospital for 4 months and 3 weeks. During this time he had contracted pneumonia a couple of times as too much milk had gone into his lungs. He also needed blood transfusion a few times. The big needles driven into his tiny veins has caused his hands, legs and head to swell. My heart ached when I saw my baby in that helpless state. Eden home fellowship continued to pray for Joshua until all these complications were overcome. God continued to sustain Joshua, loving him and holding him in His arms all this while.

Joshua means 'God Saves or God is my Salvation'.

I cannot help but praise and thank God for providing and taking care of all our needs. Joshua had been hospitalized for almost five months. The hospital bill finally came up to double the amount we were prepared for. Although my husband and I had managed to scrape together RM50,000 from our savings and EPF withdrawals, it was still not enough. The hospital was calling us frequently, requesting us to top up the initial deposits. We were really stressed out. But thank God, throughout this time our home fellowship stood by and prayed with us. God is really no man's debtor! He blessed me with a good bonus, back pay increment, a discount off the hospital bill and the balance of the required amount came in the form of love gifts. On top of this, we were allowed to pay in four installments! God is indeed good and gracious.

I want to thank God for our home fellowship. I have enjoyed many of God's blessings through the love and concern of our members. God has saved me, my brother and our cousin. I also believe He had a plan and purpose for Joshua and me. I am grateful to my home fellowship members for their love and support during this life threatening situation. Against all odds, they were there for us. My husband and I do not know how we could have gone through this difficult time without them.

Mom, dad & Joshua.