Renee Kloss: From Pain to Joy - page 2
Part 2: Doing her own thing For Renee, doing her own thing meant partying and running wild. At 18, she left home and went on what she calls a "party tour of duty" across the state. She looks back today and wonders not only how her parents survived, but even more literally, how
she survived.
The Magic NumberSomething about turning 21 made Renee realize that she was lucky to be alive, and gave her the motivation to change her life.
"I decided it was time to grow up - sober up. Three days after my 21st birthday, I quit drinking and doing drugs and started my 'new life' as a recovering alcoholic and recovering addict."
She moved back to her hometown and began rebuilding the severed ties with her family. In 1996, she ran into an old flame and fell in love. Then, the impossible (or so she thought) happened. She got pregnant.
Journey to HellBecause of her many health problems, Renee was immediately put in the "multiple high risk" category. With only her own brief history to rely on, doctors subjected her to every possible test. Her regular doctor's appointments were scheduled every two weeks for the entire pregnancy. She had specialized ultrasounds performed, repeated blood series, and,
"...had to live with a husband who was a basket case."
JR, her 'miracle baby', was born on September 11, 1997. He weighed 6 lbs. 13 ozs., and was 18 1/2" long. Because of the many unknowns, doctors decided to take the baby by c-section a month early. Initially, it seemed everything was fine, but within 48 hours, Renee's world came crashing down. JR was moved to a specialized neonatal unit at Children's Hospital. He had very low blood sugar and a suspected heart problem.
Renee and her parents had always been
annoyed by the lack of medical history, but now the annoyance turned to anger.
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