Peter and Marc A. ~ Super Hero Alias: Miracle Men!

Age: 29 months old
Weight at Birth: 1280 (Peter) and 1200 (Marc) grams
Weeks Gestation: 26 weeks, 3 days
Time in the NICU: 58 (Peter) and 85 (Marc)

Diagnosis, complications, surgeries?

Necrotizing Enterocolitis (both, no surgical intervention needed!)
Hyperbilirubinemia (both)
Apnea (both)
Bradycardia (both)
Oxygen Desaturations (both)
Patent Ductus Arteriosis (Marc)
Respiratory Distress Syndrome (both)
Low Blood Pressure (both)
Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (Marc)
Retinopathy of Prematurity (both, Peter stage 2, Marc stage 2-3)
Intraventricular Hemorrhage (Marc grade 1 on right, Peter grade 2 right, grade 3 left germinal cortex)
Sepsis (Peter twice, Marc once)
Simple infections (both several times)
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (Marc + still affected)
Pulmonary Hemorrhage (Marc)
Transient Tachypnia (Peter)
Reflux (Both, Marc still affected)
Inability to make their own red blood cells, resulting in need for transfusions. (Peter 6 transfusions, Marc 28 transfusions)
Hypothermia (Both, Peter worse at arrival to hospital)
Hypoglycemia (both)
Immature gastrointestinal and digestive system (both)
Hypospadius with chordee (both)
Vascular anomaly in leg (Marc)
2 sets of ear tubes (Marc)
developmental and physical delays (Marc)
Reflux (Marc)
Asthma (Marc)

Why should your children be recognized as “Preemies of the Year”?

Despite the odds being against them: Peter was born at home, and even though he was only 26+3, he was able to breathe on his own long enough to get to the hospital. Marc was extremely sick,  and we were told to say goodbye. We allowed him to be part of a “study” which we truly believe saved his life. Both at 29 months old are happy healthy children with only minor delays. Although Marc does have some residual effects from his rough beginning, both boys are off doing things we were told they would never do, such as walk, talk (Peter anyways, Marc does not yet speak) run, climb, jump, eat, etc.

Using three or more typical characteristics of a Super Hero, please describe your child.

loving, caring, strong, resilient, a fighter, happy

What advice do you have for future NICU parents?

Seek out people who have been through it before, whether in person or online. It may feel like you are on this rough journey alone, and in a way you are, since everyone is different, but to have someone who has been there, done that, is priceless.

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?

We did not know about anything during our NICU journey, but since I lacked the support while our twins were in the NICU, I try to find any way I can to support others in their rough journey…