Jocelyn Z. ~ Super Hero Alias: JJ the Great
Age: 8 weeks
Weight at Birth: 1lb 10.5oz
Weeks Gestation: 26 weeks
Time in the NICU: 56 days so far, 42 left to go
Diagnosis, complications, surgeries?
She had a chest tube for about a week, and a bacterial infection that caused her to to be re-intubated and receive a lumbar puncture.
Why should your child be recognized as “Preemie of the Year”?
At 26 weeks pregnant, I was cleared for travel. I went to Southern California to visit family and to attend the baby shower my sister was throwing for me. That night, my discomfort increased. Throughout the night, it turned into actual pain. By the next morning, when I should have been leaving for the airport to go home, I started bleeding. My mom drove me to the hospital instead. I was hooked up to monitors, had labs taken, and an ultrasound done. The doctor came in to check me, looked up and said “you’re fully dilated, you’re having this baby now, she’s breech and her foot is sticking out.” The nurses got my IV in finally, after several attempts, and wheeled me to the OR. The doctor tried to see if I could push, but because of my panic and basically freaking out, they knocked me out and did a c-section. Jocelyn Janae was born at 10:50am on August 21st, 2011, weighing 1lb 10.5oz, measuring 13 3/4″. Later that day, I woke up and processed what had happened while family and friends took turns visiting me. I didn’t get to meet JJ until the next day because I couldn’t walk yet from the surgery. When I did, I fell in love. She was the most precious little baby I had ever seen. We’ve had a long journey. Eight weeks later with still 6 weeks until my due date, we’re both stuck 1,500 miles away from home. She’s had a lung collapse, a bacterial infection, lumbar puncture, and been re-intubated a couple times. She now weighs 3lbs 14oz, has a nasal canula, and is learning to breastfeed.
Using three or more typical characteristics of a Super Hero, please describe your child.
Fighter, fighting to live everyday.
Leader, leading the NICU nurses and making sure they follow.
Super strong, latching on at 33 weeks, turning her head from one side to the other, drinking 30ml at one setting.
Beautiful, because all super heroes have to be.
Smart, instinctively knowing when a boob is in your face, it’s lunch time.
What advice do you have for future NICU parents?
Visit the NICU as often as possible and hold your baby as much as possible. It’s great for you, your milk supply, and for the baby’s development. Ask lots of questions about anything and everything that comes to mind. When that baby is released, you will be responsible and will need as much knowledge as you can get.
Describe how Hand to Hold’s services are meaningful to you and future families. What kind of support would have helped you most during your journey?
For me, it’s about the support, people to talk to. Having a resource where I can find tons of people who are in the same boat as me is really helpful.
