Mom Shares the Miracle Journey of Her Son

Posted on by Robbie Watson

My name is Lakita Duren, and I want to share my story about the Miracle Journey of my son Christopher LaGlendon Moore.

August 2004 – I was living in Memphis at the time with my daughter LaShandria. It was a regular day of working and the normal routines. But I wasn’t feeling well. So I went to the doctor and found out that I was pregnant. I was happy and shocked at the same time because my daughter was soon to turn 12. The doctor prescribed medications to regulate my blood pressure. I took the meds as scheduled but was still feeling bad so I went back to the doctor. They changed my dosages, which helped some, but I was still lightheaded with no appetite.
On November 23rd my mom and I picked up my daughter from school and went to get some food. I had this horrible pain in my left side which hurt beyond measure. Then it eased up so we continued to do our errands. Well, then it got worse again and I couldn’t drive. So, I ended up at the ER at St Francis in Memphis. I was having contractions and my blood pressure was sky high. I stayed overnight, and the next morning was airlifted to The Med, also known as Regional Medical Center. I was scared to death. The medical team was so nice, and told me I would be there a few days, just to relax and let them run tests. I was only 3 months pregnant.
The test results came back. The blood from the umbilical cord was not flowing like it should and was causing blood pressure spikes. I was told I would be there for a few more days, which turned into weeks, and then months. I was in the hospital away from my daughter and other family members in a room with no TV and no lights. Doctors ordered complete bed rest with leg compressions and a catheter. I was miserable and my blood pressure was still rising. I was now on the max dosage allowed for a pregnant woman.
Around week 20 I found out I was carrying a boy. Then on February 6th the medical team came around and said, “Lakita, you have to make a decision; either abort the baby because your health is at risk, or we do a C section in a week if you can hold out.” I was told he wouldn’t live to see 2 years old and that he would have major health issues. I was a Christian and knew God didn’t want me to abort him. God didn’t want my daughter to be motherless either. I asked to speak with the Chaplin and also my Pastor at the time. We prayed.
On February 11th, 2005 at 9:20 p.m. my son Christopher LaGlendon Moore arrived by C Section. He was born at 27 weeks and 4 days. It was my Grandmother Dessie Hall’s birthday. And she was there to cut the cord. He weighed in at 1 pound 11 ounces. After the birth, I heard him cry and my heart seemed to beat normal until I heard the nurse say “get him to the NICU ASAP. His heart rate is dropping.” I had never experienced anything like this. His hospital stay began with tubes placed everywhere, I couldn’t hold him or see him much.  I began to cry out to God and asked,”Why me?” He responded, “Why not you, Lakita?”
CJ, as I call him, was born with a hemorrhage on the brain and a small hole in his heart. He had no vision and no motion in his eyes to light. He was on a breathing machine, on feeding tubes, and in an incubator. The doctor told me there would be developmental delays. I had prepared myself. Almost 100 days later on his scheduled day to come home, he failed the car seat test, his heart rate dropped. He was blue. I thought we lost him. They snatched him out of the seat, and put me out of the NICU. He had to stay another week. On April 18, 2005, Christopher came home.
He continued to go to appointments with a Pulmonary Doctor, Gastrointestinal Doctor, Speech Therapist, and Occupational Therapist. At home, he was on Oxygen for the first year of his life. From Doctor to Doctor, and people in and out of my home, it was so tough. Yet, I knew God was in control of this as well. This roller coaster ride increased my faith so much. But God.
CJ gained full eyesight around the age of 1 1/2. As the years passed, he beat the odds. He crawled, walked, and talked. He did have some developmental delays. However, I saw God moving in his life one Sunday during church. He was invited to sing. He sang from the depths of his heart, and there were not many dry eyes in the church. I want to say he was 6 or 7. And he has always had a different approach to life, because when we would have all night prayer, he would be up listening and praying with us adults, while other kids were asleep.
After years in Memphis, my family returned to Leake County in the summer of 2013. CJ is now 16 years old. He is a prayer warrior, sings all over the different counties, cleans the house, takes care of his grandparents, and strives daily to please God and make his mom proud. With time and endurance he can read, write and attempt most anything. He is a junior in high school and will turn 17 next month.
My pledge to anyone is to keep God first and always let HIM guide you. He has no respect of persons. As a mother and Woman of God, carrying a child with so many labels placed on him is stressful, cause in your heart you know what is right. And as you carry your child, you never think the shoulda, woulda, coulda approach. You just take it one day at a time.
I wouldn’t have done anything different, cause it helped build me, and gave me a testimony for others to see that God can, and will come through. And I want to encourage any mom that has a premature child to pray, and seek God before making quick decisions.
I am available to anyone for support who may be getting ready to make the decision of early birth, for whatever the reason may be.
Lakita Duren is mother of 2, grandmother of 2, child of God, Ordained Minister, member of New Jerusalem MB Church under leadership of Dr. Vorneal Lipsey, Sr. as well as Galatians 2:20 Ministries under the leadership of Apostle Cynthia and 1st Man Elder Curtis Buford.
Favorite Scripture – Phillipans 4:19 –“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
Lakita Duren can be reached at – lakita@leadingladiesms.org
Story as shared by Lakita Duran
Contributing Editor – Robbie Watson

    • 12 thoughts on “Mom Shares the Miracle Journey of Her Son”

    2. Lakita is an amazing God fearing mom who loves both of here children. Thank God for her strength and her undying faith in God. For without it we wouldn’t have our amazing miracle warrior C J that’s my nephew whom I love dearly. Thank you Ronnie Watson for sharing this post❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏

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    3. Lakota is a Child of God and C J has been a blessing to everyone he meets!!! Thank God for miracles everyday!!! Love you Lakota!!!! Thanks Ronnie Watson for sharing this shorty!!!!

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    4. Lakota is a Child of God and C J has been a blessing to everyone he meets!!! Thank God for mic le everyday!!! Love you Lakota!!!! Thanks Ronnie Watson for sharing this shorty!!!!

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    6. I thank God for your strength most of all for you knowing God and I sure do thank God for CJ one of the strongest godfearing young man I have had a chance to watch and hear him sing!!!! Thank you God!!!

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