Crystal Jordan

Thanks for visiting my page!

For those who don't know me, this is my story. 

For years my husband and I have been longing for a family, on May 7th, 2019, we finally got our two pink lines... only to have everything ripped away. On September 18th, 2019 my water broke while I was getting ready for work. I was 22 weeks and 4 days pregnant with my beautiful daughters, Makenzie Corrine and Madison Noel. The next evening, I went into active labor at 22 weeks 5 days and in the very early morning of Septemeber 20th, 2019, I delivered my girls via a emergency c-section. And thats just the beginning.

During the hours between my water breaking and delivering my princesses, my husband and I spoke with many doctors and nurses about what we should expect moving forward and the less than 10% chance of survival that my girls would have, if they could even be intubated at birth due to their extremely small size.

Thankfully, Makenzie and Madison were able to be intubated. That's the first thing I remeber after waking up from surgery. The next is the nurse handing me Makenzie after she passed. I never got to meet my daughter after she was born. She fought to live for the only hour of her life. Once I held her in my arms, I took in every detail I could. I am certain that if she could have grwon up on Earth, instead of Heaven, she would have been my mini-me. She had my nose and facial features, which we were able to easily distinguish since she was sooo tiny and never had the chance to develop squishy little baby cheeks.

Madison was stronger, and larger, by only 0.2 lbs. But it made a difference. She fought and fought for 8 long hours on monitors and the ventilator. After the first couple hours, her left lung collapsed. By the grace of God, we were given more hope when the doctors were able to intervene and reverse that.... until it happened again. This time both lungs were collapsing and my sweet baby was losing her strength. Before the doctors were able to place the tiny chest tube, smaller than a drinking straw, her little body gave out. As they took her off the monitors I was able to hold her, sing to her, tell her how much her Mommy and Daddy loved her. And cried. 

These little babies were the most wanted, and loved babies. I can't put into words the gut wrenching pain we felt, and continue to feel having experienced the loss of our daughters. 

Because of this, because of my daughters, I walk. I am committed to raising funds, but more importantly, awareness about maternal health and prematurity so that other Moms don't experience what I have. So they can hear the laughs and cries, watch their children grow, and never feel the heartbreak our family has experienced.

But my story doesn't end there. For me, this isn't just about prematurity. 

As a result of a surgical site infection from the emergency c-section, I almost died. 

For days I was in the ICU on monitors, oxygen and multiple super strength antibiotics. After 32 days and 6 additional surgeries, I was able to go home. Thank God. There are parts of that hospital stay that I don't remember and parts I wish I could forget. Unfortunately, there is nothing I can do to change my experience. But I can make a difference for others.

Please, join me in donating and supporting the March for Babies. The funds I raise enable March of Dimes to support research, lead programs and provide education and advocacy that truly makes a difference to families in our community and across the country. If you believe, like I do, that every baby deserves the best possible start, please march with me or make a donation to support this community effort. Together we can fight for the health of all moms and babies.Be a vehicle for change and awareness of the importance of improvement in maternal and child health in the US. There is so much room for growth. 

Donate or follow along:  In Memory of Makenzie and Madison