Andrea West’s encounter with her future husband took place during their final year at university. Their relationship swiftly developed into a whirlwind romance, leading them to return to Andrea’s hometown immediately after their graduation.
Within a short span of time, they became engaged and joyfully shared the news with their loved ones that Andrea was expecting their first child. Andrea was overjoyed by the prospect of becoming a mother.
However, their happiness was tragically short-lived. After just eleven weeks, Andrea experienced the devastating loss of a miscarriage. In a heartfelt post on the Love What Matters Facebook page, she described her overwhelming despair, feeling lost and uncertain about how to navigate the grief. It was during this time that she discovered the prevalence of miscarriages, affecting one in four women, yet a topic rarely discussed. Andrea questioned whether she could endure another pregnancy.
Fortunately, with the unwavering support of her husband, Andrea’s anxiety gradually diminished. Eventually, she found herself pregnant once again.
Determined to ensure the healthy growth of her baby, Andrea made a series of lifestyle adjustments. She eliminated various foods from her diet, including cold cuts, sushi, and certain cheeses. Additionally, she immersed herself in books about pregnancy, determined to do everything in her power to ensure a positive outcome.
Thankfully, her pregnancy progressed without complications. As her due date approached, Andrea began experiencing mild contractions, prompting her admission to the delivery room alongside her partner.
However, their plans took an unexpected turn when an ultrasound revealed dangerously low levels of amniotic fluid. Labor induction became necessary, and the birth process commenced urgently.
Thankfully, despite the sudden turn of events, the birth itself proceeded smoothly. By the end of the night, Andrea and her husband had welcomed their son, Adam, into the world.
Regrettably, their initial joy was marred by a distressing revelation. Instead of being able to participate in the anticipated act of cutting the umbilical cord, Andrea’s partner witnessed medical staff hurriedly whisk Adam away. Over the shoulders of the doctors, he caught a glimpse of his son and returned to Andrea with heartbreaking words: “Honey, there’s something wrong with Adam’s leg.”
Around twenty medical professionals surrounded little Adam, leaving Andrea increasingly concerned as time passed without any answers. Her worry escalated further when her mother and partner left to inform the family, leaving her alone in the ward, unaware of the situation.
Eventually, it was discovered that Adam suffered from Cutis Marmorata Telangiectatica Congenita (CMTC), an extraordinarily rare vascular malformation. Andrea and her husband were overwhelmed by the diagnosis, particularly since only 500 cases had ever been reported worldwide at the time of Adam’s birth.
Adam underwent numerous tests on his vital organs, fortunately passing each one without issue. Andrea spent an extended period in the NICU, sleep-deprived for four consecutive days.
Ultimately, Adam was deemed healthy enough to go home, albeit with a meticulous care routine for his skin. As time went on, Adam’s resilience became increasingly evident. Despite his condition weakening his leg, he blossomed into a happy and healthy young boy, displaying a keen interest in mathematics and chess. Remarkably, he even participated in sports, defying the challenges imposed by his condition.
Throughout this journey, Adam never regarded his disability as an obstacle, fully embracing his uniqueness despite being aware of his differences from other children.
Andrea West remains actively engaged with the CMTC Alliance, a global non-profit organization dedicated to supporting individuals diagnosed with rare vascular malformations. She passionately advocates for these conditions, working tirelessly to raise awareness and provide a voice for those affected.
If you wish to contribute and assist more individuals grappling with uncommon illnesses, please consider sharing Adam’s story and making a donation. Your contribution can have a profound impact on the lives of those confronting rare diseases.
Although Adam faced a difficult start in life, today the West family is content and joyful. Share this inspiring article with your friends on Facebook, enabling more people to witness the incredible resilience and triumph in Adam’s story!
