In Texas, a wife chose to give birth to her baby two weeks early so her dying husband could meet his daughter.
The arrival of a new baby is always a momentous event, with parents eagerly anticipating the day they can greet their child.
They mark off the calendar, ready the home for their newest addition, and envision the joy the new arrival will bring.
However, for a couple in Texas, the birth was tinged with sorrow.
Diane Aulger of The Colony, Texas, in 2012, decided to induce labor for her fifth child two weeks ahead of schedule to ensure that her husband, Mark, could see his little girl before his imminent passing.
The year before, at age 52, Mark was diagnosed with colon cancer. Despite successful surgery to remove the tumor, the subsequent six months of preventive chemotherapy gravely impaired his lungs.
He began experiencing breathing difficulties in November, and by January, he was hospitalized. It was then discovered that the chemotherapy he underwent had led to pulmonary fibrosis.
Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung condition where the lung tissue becomes thick and stiff due to damage and scarring, leading to significant breathing issues.
Unfortunately, this damage is irreversible, and the symptoms are typically managed with medication and therapy.
Chemotherapy's adverse effects stem from its impact on all actively dividing cells in the body, both cancerous and healthy, often resulting in symptoms like stomach and muscle pain, headaches, and neuropathy.
The side effects can vary with the type of chemotherapy, and there's a risk of long-term consequences, including permanent damage to vital organs like the lungs, heart, liver, kidneys, or reproductive system, and cognitive issues.
Initially, Mark's family held onto hope for his recovery, but the harsh reality soon set in.
On January 16, as Diane Aulger was preparing for the birth of their fifth child, Mark's condition began to worsen rapidly.
They were informed that his condition was terminal and that he had only about five or six days left to live.
Desiring to meet his newborn before passing away, Diane's labor was induced on January 18.
Their baby was expected on January 29, and Diane had intended to have a natural birth, but she agreed to induction when her doctor presented the alternative.
The compassionate hospital staff made arrangements for the Aulgers to be together in a spacious labor and delivery room, with Diane and Mark's beds adjacent to each other.
On the day of her birth, Mark held his daughter Savannah for 45 minutes.
Diane Aulger recounted that when they placed Savannah in his arms, he wept and appeared deeply sorrowful.
Overwhelmed with exhaustion, in the subsequent days, Mark could only hold her briefly before he succumbed to a coma on January 21st, passing away two days later.
Diane mentioned she had brought Savannah home the evening before Mark lapsed into the coma, and they were beside him when he passed.
Mark is survived by his two children with Diane and her two older children. Following his passing, the Aulger household received an outpouring of gifts.
The family received donations of food, clothing, diapers, and money from friends, relatives, and even strangers, all aiming to support Diane, now a single mother of five. Touched by their story, a businessman from California contributed funds for Diane to purchase a minivan.
Diane expressed her warmth and gratitude for the kindness shown by so many.
To honor Mark's memory, the family is dedicated to keeping his spirit alive. Diane plans to decorate their home with his photographs, and the children frequently reminisce about their humorous father.
Diane shared:
"We live each day as though dad is still here with us. We feel his presence always."
