My story is not a typical pregnancy story. I was having a normal pregnancy and at 33 weeks I was suddenly diagnosed with a viral infection. The next day on Friday, September 24, 2004, I called in sick to work so I could rest.

About an hour after getting up I started to have shooting pains in my left breast and down my left arm. I was sweating profusely and could not stay warm despite all of this going on. My husband rushed me to the ER.

They took me into the triage unit in labor and delivery. When I changed into a hospital gown and they had me hooked up to the monitor, they discovered that my left breast was swollen and bright red. I also had a fever of 102.5. The next day they attributed the fever and swollen breast to mastitis (which normally occurs after women have given birth). I did not sleep at all that night while they observed me. They were randomly taking my blood pressure and blood.

On Saturday, September 25, 2004, the doctor on call came in to my room and stated that my blood results had come back. My liver platelet count came back at around only 46,000, when a normal pregnant woman has about 250,000 liver platelets.

He diagnosed it as HELLP Syndrome. Basically, my organs were starting to shut down. I thought that my daughter was kicking me extremely hard in my right side of my ribs. But come to find out that was my liver that was starting to enlarge due to the HELLP.

I was told that I would have to have my daughter through emergency Cesarean section. No epidural and no husband with me. I would be totally knocked out.

Before they did the C-section, I was given three transfusions of platelets to replace what had been lost. I gave birth to a 4-pound, 8-ounce baby girl that night. She was so tiny. She was rushed to the NICU and only stayed 10 days, just so she could learn to eat on her own. She had healthy lungs and was medically fine. Praise God.

I stayed in the ICU for four days and a regular recovery room for three before leaving. I still have high blood pressure five months later, but having a healthy, happy, growing baby at home is all I need.

I do not know if I will ever be able to have another child due to this condition (occurs in third trimester and I have about a 30 percent chance of it occurring again). I am just thankful that I got mastitis in my breast and this condition was discovered, or else I may not have my daughter here or myself.