miracles
Story by Cassie Graham • Higher Grounds Photography
feature
JESSICA HUGHES
second chances
Jessica Hughes knows that her life is a miracle. “When I was pregnant, I looked forward
Her husband Nicholas demanded that she be taken to Duke. But, the doctors were sure
to cherishing every stage as a mother. Now, I try to live in the moment — never passing up
that moving Jessica anywhere would be fatal. Soon, she was placed on a ventilator and
an opportunity to love on my babies, read to them, teach them life lessons, or encourage
prepped her for a second emergency surgery. As the team prepared for the procedure, a
them to be kids and live carefree while they can. Since I came very close to leaving this
respiratory therapist realized that Jessica was suffering an allergic reaction to the benzo-
earth, everything seems like more of a blessing than a burden.”
caine that was sprayed on her throat to numb it for the NG tube. She needed an antidote
Jessica began experiencing severe pain after gall bladder surgery in August 2013.
Initially, Jessica’s doctor thought it was gas. But, she returned to the hospital with the
called methane blue as soon as possible. Unfortunately, there was a national shortage
and no hospital nor pharmacy in the area had any.
gut feeling that something else was wrong. Two days later, a tube was inserted down
However