I sat beside my son’s hospital bed, watching him sleep, and praying for a miracle.
Noah was eight years old, small for his age. His father left when I was six months pregnant. He said he wasn’t ready for a family, packed a suitcase, and was gone before I even bought the crib.
Everyone told me to give the baby up.
I didn’t.
I raised him alone. It was hard, but we managed all right. Then Noah was diagnosed with a heart defect, and it felt like my world came crashing down.
I sat beside my son’s hospital bed.
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As I was leaving a few hours later, the doctor pulled me aside.
“Ma’am, Noah’s symptoms are worsening. He needs the surgery within six months, or we’re looking at irreversible damage.”
“How much?” I whispered.
“With everything included… close to $200,000.”
I felt like I was going to be sick.
“He needs the surgery within six months.”
“I clean offices at night and take care of elderly patients during the day. I don’t have that kind of money. Nobody I know has that kind of money.”