by Mary Lou Walters
Over the past four months, hundreds have been praying for Kianna Nikkole (Walters) McCaughlin. She is the daughter of Katarina Walters of Petersburgh and Johnathan McCaughlin of Cohoes. Her grandparents are John and April Walters Stevens of Petersburgh and David and Esther McCaughlin of Cohoes.
Kianna was delivered 7 weeks early and determined to have VANTERC Association. She was not expected to survive the first 24 hours, but God had other plans for her. After four rough months and several surgeries Kianna finally came home on Valentine’s Day. She weighed 5 lbs., 2 ounces at birth and, despite all she has been through, she tipped the scales at 10 pounds at discharge.
Katarina has been living at the Albany Ronald McDonald House to be near Kianna. Despite spending 16-20 hours a day with her baby she has been able to keep up with her school work. Johnathan, who has also been at Kianna’s side everyday, has managed to maintain high marks in school as well.
Katarina is thankful for all the support of their parents, her school and those who have been praying for Kianna. She is especially thankful for Mr. Lawrence, a Berlin Central School junior high teacher who tutored her six times a week. Thanks to his support, she plans to graduate and attend HVCC next fall. Witnessing the healing hands of the Albany Medical Center NICU nurses has led her to plan to become a NICU nurse herself.