Vernell Davis

The surprising news that you are having twins for the second time can be exciting yet overwhelming. Twins are fun to have, but sometimes they are hard to carry. After being put on bed rest at 4months and getting a cervical cerclage procedure, I thought, “What else could possibly go wrong?” Of course the babies were born early ..it’s not abnormal for twins to be born prematurely, but this time around it was earlier then the 1st set. I was 7 1/2 months (30weeks) then. This time I was 1 week shy of 7 months (27weeks). I went in for a doctors visit and was told I needed to be checked into the hospital immediately. From that point, I went in for an emergency cesarean where I almost lost my life, was saved by an emergency hysterectomy, and woke up in the ICU. The amount of trauma I experienced not only going into premature labor and delivery, but also waking up in the ICU was maximal. But nothing was far worse than getting a phone call a month and a half later and receiving the saddened news that twin number one, Kali, was possibly not going to make it. The doctors performed an emergency surgery on Kali, but unfortunately she succumbed. As we struggled to cope with the loss of twin number one, I was informed of the March of Dimes organization, and immediately signed up that same year. My family and I use the walk not only as a coping mechanism, but also as a homegoing service to hold a place for her on Earth. 14 years later, we still walk in honor of Kali Barry.