Many of you know the reason behind the name of my company, Kelsi’s Closet Jewelbox, but some of you may not. Kelsi is my second daughter. She was born 16 weeks early, yes, really. She weighed only 13 oz. and was 8 1/2″ long. My sweet baby came out crying and it shattered the silence in the OR. None of us expected to hear a sound. Why was she born so soon? I had developed Preeclampsia, a condition that happens only in pregnancy. Some cases are far more severe than others. I was already a preeclampsia survivor and I had no idea that it could take the life of a baby, or mother for that matter, but it does, and it did for me. 
I am a very fortunate person to be sitting at my computer typing this out at this very moment. I was very sick and my liver was beginning to shut down. But I recovered. I have many friends who have not recovered. I have friends that went into seizures, heart, liver and kidney failure. Some have had strokes and sadly, I have lost a few friends, and there are many others that I have never known who have lost their lives to Preeclampsia.
I have had four children. I have had preeclampsia twice and I would have had it with my last baby had we not delivered her at 29 weeks. But it was right there and the doctor saw no need for me to suffer through it again.
My sweet angel Kelsi did not survive. But by sharing our experience, other babies and mothers have. People may get sick of me talking about it, but I vow that no mother will have to go through what I did because of a lack of knowledge because I didn’t share.
This weekend the Preeclampsia Foundation is having one of their annual walks in Portland. It is on Saturday. I didn’t realize the date was so close, so I am getting a very late start on things, but I have set up a team: Kelsi’s Angels. I have set a goal to raise $100, though I would really hope that I might be able to do more than that. If you are able, it is a great cause to support. Donations can be made at: The Kelsi’s Angels Team Page.
You may already be aware, but I also donate a portion of the sales from the Wire Angel Tutorial that I created in honor of Kelsi. So it is also another great way to support the PE Foundation.
Thank you all for your support.
Keep sharing your story, Melissa! It educates, encourages, and comforts so many.
I’m here for you and about to donate to your walk! Good luck! : )
Oh my, what a sweet little angel! My heart is aching.
Thank you for sharing your story, I’m sure it must be hard for you. I personally hadn’t heard of that condition before, so here is one woman you certainly educated. Best wishes for you and your family 🙂
It is for a great cause, so we I kicked in a little. Thankfully my wife didn’t develop symptoms until the 35th week.
We have a little granddaughter in our family who was born at 30 weeks. She had her fifth birthday last December. She has had many health challenges in her time on Earth. Every day is a miracle. Sending love to you in the loss of your Kelsi.. I have purchased the Angel tutorial, as I am always looking for gifts for my co-workers. I will absolutely give proper credit to you for this lovely design.. Many Blessings, Penny Hummel
Thank you so much Adrianne.
You always have been! Thank you for that Valerie!!!
Melissa
Thanks Kristi.
Melissa
Vicki,
It is interesting. More women and babies will suffer and die from preeclampsia than breast cancer, but almost everyone knows about breast cancer. I didn’t know that much about it until I had Kelsi, and I had already had it once before. That is one of the reasons that I am doing this. I want people to KNOW! Thank you for your support.
melissa
Thank you so much Duane. I am sorry that your life had to be touched by it as well. And I am so glad that things turned out well for you too.
Melissa
It really is a miracle Penny. We try to value every day, though it doesn’t always happen. Thank you for the purchase of the tutorial. I will be donating 100% of it to the Preeclampsia Foundation.
I sent an email and pledged $15 but I can’t figure out how to pay. Can you send me an address? Thanks for giving something wonderful to your subscribers and getting healed too.
Grace,
6767 N Wickham Road,
Suite 400
Melbourne, FL 32940
I am so sorry that you lost your baby. Words are so inadequate… I want to thank you for your warning about this condition. I did know about it. However, the women I know who have dealt with it act as if it is nothing. No big deal…”so many women go through it” it’s so common. Like a cold. I am shocked that they would treat it so casually. Makes me wonder if that is what the doctors are doing (and the women, trusting the doctors, treat it that way too not knowing any better) – treating it as if it is no big deal. That would be criminal. I had NO idea it was so dangerous. Thank you for educating others, I will research this more.
Thank you Jeanne.