Huge Problems
Gillian Montgomery and her family were facing some huge problems. Not only was her eight-year daughter Rose being teased and called “pregnant,” she and her husband Rob were being labeled as bad parents.
Gillian’s world came crashing down when she finally learned the truth about Rose. How could this happen to an eight-year-old child?
Unexpected
The Montgomerys lived a seemingly normal life in the leafy suburbs of Sacramento, California. They had three children, and their daughter Rose was a little unexpected.
Gillian and Rob were both in their late forties, and with two grown children who had already moved out of the house to go to college, they were surprised to learn that Gillian was expecting their third child.
A Blessing
But even though it was unexpected, they welcomed it as a blessing. When Rose was born, Gillian and Rob instantly took to her, naming her Rose because they said she was so delicate.
Their two other children, Rob Jr. and Maya, also fell in love with Rose and vowed to protect her. Little did they all know that Rose would be facing some terrible bullies at school.
Very Popular
When she first started at Sutterville Elementary School, everything went well. Rose made lots of friends, and the teachers were impressed with her grades.
But it wasn’t long before Rose’s popularity waned, and some of her own classmates turned on her. Rose felt sad and couldn’t understand why they didn’t like her anymore. Until she learned the horrible truth.
She Looked Sad
Gillian could immediately see the changes in her daughter, not only mentally but physically as well. It looked like Rose had gained a bit of weight, and it seemed like it was making her daughter very sad.
But Gillian put it down to the last of the puppy fat that she knew would go away in time.
Quiet And Withdrawn
However, Rose seemed very quiet and withdrawn as the weeks went by, and she was constantly trying to find a way to not go to school. This was especially worrying to Gillian. She had never seen her bubbly daughter so crushed.
Gillian tried to find a way to cheer her up, but nothing worked, and Rose just continued wallowing in sadness. But then, there was a breakthrough when Gillian noticed something.
A Strange Request
Every morning when she dropped Rose off at school, she watched as she clutched her belly. At first, it didn’t bother her, but when Rose requested that Gillian start buying her clothes in a bigger size, Gillian raised her eyebrows in concern.
She thought it was a very strange request coming from an eight-year-old.
Happier?
But when she saw Rose’s pleading eyes, she immediately gave in. Rose seemed a bit happier then, and that’s all that she wanted for her daughter.
But it wouldn’t be long before the happiness would end, and the doom and gloom would set in again. This time, Gillian knew there was something seriously wrong when Rose started crying in the car when she picked her up from school.
What’s Wrong?
Gillian pulled over to the side of the road. She couldn’t stand to see her daughter so upset. “What’s wrong, Rose? Why are you crying?” But Rose just bowed her head in shame.
Gillian could see that something was terribly wrong. Rose wasn’t talking, so she got back into the car and drove home. She would figure out a way to get to the truth.
All Was Revealed
When they got back home, Gillian made it her mission to get to the bottom of what was troubling Rose. It wasn’t easy, but eventually, through much convincing, Rose finally opened up.
“The kids at school are making fun of me. They say… I’m pregnant.” Gillian couldn’t believe what she was hearing. How could the kids even say that?
A Horrifying Discovery
But when Gillian grabbed Rose to give her a hug, she felt something strange against her own body. It felt hard and bulbous.
When she opened the oversized jacket that Rose had been wearing, she gasped in shock. She hadn’t noticed how big Rose's belly had actually swelled up. Gillian was horrified at the discovery.
A Mistake
With that, Rose burst into tears and ran to her bedroom. Gillian realized that she had made her daughter feel the same way the other kids were making her feel.
She rushed to her side and apologized. She just couldn’t believe that she hadn’t noticed how big her belly had grown. And it looked like it wasn’t normal at all.
Concerned
She discussed her concerns with Rob, and they both agreed that Rose’s belly was not normal and she indeed did look pregnant. No wonder the kids were making fun of her.
They decided to make an appointment with their doctor. This was going to solve the mystery, and they would finally get to the bottom of what was wrong with Rose.
Doctor's Visit
The Montgomerys made an appointment with Rose’s pediatrician the next day. They were concerned and didn’t want to waste any time. Rose had been suffering enough, and it was time to give her the care she needed.
After an examination, the doctor ordered a series of tests and scans. The Montgomerys were worried and scared. They didn’t know what was happening to their little girl.
Terrified
Rose looked terrified, and she knew something was wrong with her. She couldn’t control the tears that kept falling down her face.
All Gillian could do was console her and promise her that she would be all right after the doctor came back with the results. But both Gillian and Rob looked very worried for their daughter.
Time Was Running Out
But then they received the news that the tests would take some time. Gillian understood but was concerned that time was running out if it was something serious.
There was nothing they could do at this point. All they could do was wait, and in the meantime, Rose was still battling with the insecurities of her swollen belly.
The Wait
The wait for the results was excruciating. Gillian and Rob were on edge and couldn’t sleep at night. They just wanted to know what was wrong with their daughter.
Days turned into weeks, and the Montgomerys were becoming more and more anxious. They just couldn’t bear the thought of Rose going through something that could potentially harm her.
Mocked And Teased
Rose still faced teasing and bullying at school. She had put on a brave face until they knew exactly what was wrong with her.
But it was no easy feat. Things were getting worse for her, and other kids were becoming more cruel by the day. They mocked her to no end, and Rose was left feeling like she was an act in a circus show.
Ready To Confront Them
This time, Gillian wasn’t going to just stand by and watch how they mocked her. She decided that enough was enough and went to school to talk to Rose’s teacher and principal because it looked like they weren't doing anything to stop the bullying.
She was ready to confront them all because they weren’t doing a very good job of protecting her daughter.
Talking To The Teacher
But Gillian wasn’t ready for what she encountered at the school. When she spoke to the teacher, Ms. Hogan, she was very sympathetic to Rose’s issue and promised to do more to curb the bullying.
Rose was her star pupil, and she had noticed a significant change in her behavior and school work. She had spoken to her but just thought she was going through some changes because of her weight gain.
Feeling A Bit Better
Gillian left the classroom feeling a bit better, knowing that Ms. Hogan was willing to look out for Rose. But she never expected what she would encounter next.
As she was leaving the school, there were several other parents who were dropping their children off at school. It was then that Gillian heard a discussion she wished she hadn’t heard at all.
An Awful Conversation
A few moms were huddled together in deep discussion. At first, Gillian just walked past them, but when she heard the name Rose Montgomery, she quickly made a point to listen in on the conversation. What she heard made her furious.
“I can’t believe a girl so young can be pregnant. Where are her parents in all of this?”
You Don’t Know What You’re Talking About
Gillian immediately stepped in to defend her daughter. “Mind your own business! You have no idea what you are talking about!” And with that, she sped off and left the moms standing there mouths agape.
Gillian pushed down on the accelerator as she made her way home. Tears filled her eyes, and all she wanted was for all of this to go away.
Feeling Terrible
But there was nothing she could do. They were still waiting on the test results, and in the meantime, the Montgomery name was being tarnished because people were spreading horrible rumors about them.
She felt terrible and couldn’t imagine what poor Rose was going through. She had to endure so much at such a young age.
The Test Results
But then, finally, after three long weeks, the Montgomerys received a call from Rose’s doctor. Gillian and Rob braced themselves for what the doctor was about to tell them.
It was a video call, and they could both see the look of concern on the doctor’s face. Gillian’s eyes grew wide. The news was not good.
The Diagnosis
Gillian and Rob sat patiently as the doctor gave them the news. Rose had a heart defect that had gone undetected. The doctor explained that her organs had swollen, and that’s why her belly had appeared so large.
The Montgomerys were devastated. How could this happen? Why didn’t anyone notice it before? They were full of questions and didn’t know where to turn.
Treatment
The doctor explained that Rose would need immediate treatment. She needed to undergo surgery to correct the defect. Gillian and Rob didn’t hesitate. They wanted to do everything in their power to help their daughter.
They were scared, but they knew that they had to be strong for Rose. They didn’t want to imagine the worst-case scenario.
The Operation
The operation was scheduled for the following week. The Montgomerys were on pins and needles, but they knew that they had to remain strong for Rose.
On the day of the operation, they waited anxiously outside the operating room. The minutes seemed like hours. Their palms sweated as they held each other's hands. They just wanted to know that Rose was okay.
The Wait Continues
After what seemed like an eternity, the doctor finally came out to give them an update. The operation had been successful, but Rose was still in recovery. The Montgomerys breathed a sigh of relief but knew that the wait wasn’t over yet.
They waited by Rose’s bedside for hours until she finally woke up. She was groggy and weak, but she smiled weakly when she saw her parents.
Road to Recovery
Rose’s road to recovery was a long and difficult one. She had to stay in the hospital for several weeks and undergo intensive therapy. The Montgomerys were by her side every step of the way, and they were determined to see her get better.
Slowly but surely, Rose started to improve. She was getting stronger every day, and the doctors were pleased with her progress. After a month in the hospital, Rose was finally well enough to go home. She was happy to be reunited with her family.