.png)
MEET
ASHER
Asher's Story
Asher Avery Tate was born July 11, 2020, at 6:39pm at Southeast Memorial Hermann Hospital. He was born at 23 weeks gestation weighing 1lb and .5 ounces. His original due date was November 7, 2020, on his paternal grandfather’s birthday.
Due to Asher being extremely premature he was transported by life flight to Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital in downtown Houston and spent 5 months and 6 days in the NICU. He was one of the sickest babies in his POD and was given a 10% chance of survival. The expectation “if” survived was that he would not be like other kids and would basically be a vegetable with major health issues, per the doctors.
As it turns out, God had the final say, and Asher is here with us thriving and surviving with no health issues other than a gtube.
IN THE PRESS
Luckily, Tate said, the UT Physicians Pediatric Center Neonatal High Risk Clinic — a clinic designed for the complex cases faced by infants discharged from the NICU — was ready for Asher’s continued care.
About the Author
Masculinity according to google is qualities or attributes regarded as characteristic of men or boys. I guess that’s what one would label me as considering I date women and prefer to wear “men” clothing.
Tameka L. Tate is a Baton Rouge native but currently residing in Manvel, TX. My love for writing started at a very young age but it wasn’t until I experienced infertility issues my passion and love for writing flourished.
The birth and lost of my daughter Ayrii Ali left me feeling depressed, defeated and hopeless; unsure if I had the emotional and mental capacity it would take to try again.
Despite going through a very dark period, the intense desire to become a mother heightened once more in 2019.
Although the intrauterine insemination (IUI) was successful on the first try my OB Dr. Kelly Rae Hodges, MD and fertility specialist Dr. S. Kemi Nurudeen, MD recommended in vitro fertilization (IVF).
After that roller coaster process, I was yet again successfully pregnant and faced with a terrifying experience of delivering Asher at 23 weeks.
Surviving 5 months and 6 days of the NICU was inspiration as well as an outlet that pushed pen to paper; resulting in this book of Asher’s journey into the world.
My hope is that one would read this book and know that with the smallest amount of faith and strength “Anything is possibly when you make it a possibility” (T. Tate).
To all the NICU mom’s, you are not alone and although every experience is different. The anxiety and fear is all the same. So advocate for your tiny HERO, feel your feelings; because your voice and your feelings are valid.