Back in 2004, an episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” that featured the story of a pregnant woman named Tammy who had lupus touched the hearts of Americans everywhere. Now, an update has come in about how her daughter is doing today.

Given the fact that Tammy had lupus, she had a very difficult time getting pregnant. She had already been through one miscarriage, and doctors were very worried about the health of her unborn child.

Tammy’s 15 week ultrasound showed that her baby was not growing at a normal rate, leaving the mother-to-be with a difficult decision. She could either try and deliver the baby right away, or attempt to carry her to 27 weeks and deliver her then. The first option left her baby with a virtually 0 percent survival rate, while the second offered a not much better 5 percent survival rate.

Tammy decided to go with option number two, but the condition of her baby was so fragile that doctors had to check her every other day.

“I remember every day sitting in the car before we would walk into the clinic,” Tammy said. “You would take a big deep breath and you’d prepare yourself that there’s not going to be a heartbeat today.”

Sure enough, the baby’s heart kept beating and Tammy made it to the 27 week mark. When doctors induced labor, Tammy gave birth to her daughter Zoe, who weighed only 10.8 ounces. While the birth itself went well, doctors still told Tammy that Zoe would not survive, as she was severely underdeveloped.

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Through it all, Tammy and Zoe refused to give up, and the two beat the odds together. Twelve years later, Oprah checked in on them, and sure enough, Zoe is now a healthy and normal 12 year-old girl! What the eloquent child had to say about all that she’s gone through is an inspiring reminder of how strong the human spirit really is, and of the power of a mother’s love.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DOrdP4H8SA