My cousin Patrick...

This weekend my cousin, Patrick Russell, graduates from MSU.  He will also be commissioned into the US Army as an officer through the ROTC program.  Growing up, my cousins Patrick and Connor were just like brothers to me.  They never lived farther than 15 minutes away and I frequented their events and they came to numerous softball games (I'm sure they loved every one of them!)

Me and not Patrick, this is his brother Connor 

I can't explain how proud I am of his graduating college and especially his commissioning.  During the ceremony you must have someone from the military give you your first salute.  My brother, Billy, will be decked out in his Navy uniform and provide this honor for him. Unfortunately I cannot attend since spring weekends tend to be a bit busy for me (understatement of the year).  Ed and EV will make the long trip and Ed wouldn't dream of missing his graduation. 

Ok, so the kid is graduating college...so what?  A lot of people do and it isn't that big of a deal, right?

Well, this kid isn't just any other kid.  22 years ago only God knew if this baby would survive.  

Patrick speaking at his high school graduation

Patrick was born at 27 1/2 weeks, just over 12 weeks early.  He weighed 2 lbs 2 oz when he was born but soon dropped down to 1b 13 oz.  I remember when I reached the 28th week of pregnancy with EV and I started crying because I could not imagine the fear my aunt and uncle must have felt when Patrick had to be delivered so early. EV wasn't ready to be born then and neither was Patrick.  There was an entire third trimester she missed.  A third trimester filled with decorating a nursery, feeling incredibly fat, gaining even more weight, sleepless nights because there is a small alien sitting on your bladder and oh yeah...a third trimester full of developing into a ready-to-be-born baby! 

Being first time parents is scary enough but to have everything happen so quickly and dramatically must have been terrifying.  I don't know the entire story but I've been told Patrick was delivered so early because my aunt was suffering from numerous complications and in danger of losing her own life...no biggie. 

Remember when your baby was born and they placed them in your arms?  I remember holding EV and she was just under 7 lbs.  I thought this baby was so tiny and delicate.  Now imagine what my aunt and uncle must have felt when their baby in the incubator was as big as their hand...

their hand!  

EV has a baby doll as big as my hand.  It looks like a toy and I can't imagine a human being so small, but he was.

Babies born after 26 weeks now have an 80% survival rate.  In 1950 babies weighing less than 2 lbs 3 ounces only had a 6% survival rate. In 1975 the rate was only 26% but during the 1990s the rate increased even further with advances in medicine. 

The March of Dimes website lists numerous things that can happen to a baby with an extremely low birth rate...aka, Patrick.  Here are a few: Intraventricular hemorrhage, Patent ductus arteriosus, Necrotizing enterocolitis, retinopathy of prematurity, jaundice (hey, one I know!), bronchopulmonary dysplasia and numerous infections...SCARY!

(If you would like to read more about where I obtained most of my information you can go here or here. All my years of college you would think I could cite something legitimately but instead I'll just give you the links.)

An amazing fact about Patrick (besides being born early and basically kicking statistics butt): his little lungs were always working on their own.  He never needed a ventilator to help him breath.  He was born on Nov. 17 at Bronson Hospital and was transferred to a local hospital on Dec 21. I've got to believe it was nice having him healthy enough to be close to home around Christmas time.  He arrived home on January 10 weighing 4 lbs 15 oz.  He wasn't even due until mid-February.  

Patrick is constantly on my mind.  During my pregnancy with EV, during my delivery and during the first few months of her life I would let my mind wander to what life would be like had I been in Aunt Sue's shoes.  The strength my aunt and uncle must have had, the trust in God, the faith in each other, the endless nights of worry, the tears they must have cried...and then the tears they must have cried when he was surviving, healthy, thriving, growing, developing into the person he is today.  I imagine there will be some tears this weekend.

Each year a ROTC cadet from MSU receives the First Lieutenant Adam M. Malson Award.  This recipient must:

• Excel academically
• Exhibit high moral character, integrity and honesty
• Be a solid leader
• Exceed the standard in physical fitness
• And must have a good sense of humor

My cousin, the miracle baby, was seen as possessing all of these qualities and was thus this year's recipient.

I am so proud of him.