Lauren's Song: Better Days Ahead

By Casandra T. Wiltz

Lauren’s Song: Better Days Ahead is the illustrated true story of Lauren Ashley Wiltz—the miracle baby born at one pound via emergency C-section in 2006. It parallels the turmoil and trials endured by the baby in the NICU and her mother as she struggles through a very rough pregnancy that tumultuously ended in an emergency C-section that almost cost her life, as well as the life of her premature child. It also chronicles the strong presence of her father and how his unconditional love and support, as well as their family’s, would also make a powerful difference!

The book describes devastating medical challenges that resulted from her mother’s rediagnosis with lupus following ten years in remission. It seeks to poignantly illustrate her other struggles of being a new first-time mom to a very sick baby while also being a wife, as well as many other challenges resulting from this devastating unfamiliar circumstance—challenges of conquering depression, infertility, broken dreams, and feelings of defeat and inadequacy.

Lauren’s Song aspires to inspire the reader to look past what their natural eyes will see and focus on the strength God has innately allocated within each of us, activating their faith to power, even in the most devastating circumstances.

It will remind you that regardless of how dark the days may seem, there is still light in the darkness, hope in despair, a song of inspiration, and victory in Christ Jesus!

To every woman in a personal struggle or every believer overcome by the vicissitudes of life, this book will breathe encouragement into your situation and give you confidence in God who can do above all we can ask or think! This illustrated account from the voice of Lauren—who at the time was voiceless and delivered at twenty-five weeks from the womb of a mother with blood pressure so high she just barely escaped a coma and whose husband had to decide between the life of his wife or their unborn child—will allow the believer to truly see the hand of God and experience this wonderful miracle of life from predelivery to absolute victory!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: May 19, 2022
• ISBN: 9781638448242

Book preview

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Lauren's Song

Better Days Ahead

Casandra T. Wiltz

Copyright © 2022 by Casandra T. Wiltz

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Anterior Cricoid Split

The Trachea

"So many nights, I’ve cried.

For better days

I prayed for…but through it all…

I know…

the sun is gonna shine,

if I hold out!"

In loving memory of baby girl RaRa and baby girl London who did not survive the NICU but touched our lives in a very special way. Thanks for inspiring us to even greater love, appreciation, dedication, healing, and gratitude as we continue to move forward.

..........Dedication..........

To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for giving me the strength to stand in the face of every adversity, the honor of being chosen to endure such a test, and the privilege to share this testimony. Without him, I am nothing!

To my one and only daughter, the miracle princess Lauren Ashley, the inspiration for this book—I dedicate this to you! I am so very proud of you, as well as your strength, courage, resilience, and your ability to meet and overcome every obstacle that has come your way! You embraced each challenge like the champion and intelligent being you are! You’re beautiful on the inside as well as the outside, with a heart filled with compassion. Thank you for loving me back to life and for inspiring me to be the mommy you knew I could be! I love you more than life itself. Keep shining my princess.

To my husband Derrick—for carrying me when I couldn’t carry myself, for loving me when I didn’t love myself, for being a present father and husband, very active in her well-being and full-time care all while working a full-time