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Tiny-N-Tuff

January 16, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Kastyn & Kenady M ~ Super Hero Alias: Tiny-N-Tuff

Kastyn & Kenady M.Age: 8 months old
Weight at birth: Kastyn 2lbs, Kenady 1lb 15oz
Weeks gestation: 26 weeks
Time in the NICU: Kastyn 120 days, Kenady 141 days

Diagnosis, surgeries, complications?

Kastyn: Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia, PDA, ROP, Laryngomalacia, Osteopenia of Prematurity, Hydronephrosis, Gastroesophageal Reflux. Surgeries: PDA Ligation, Supraglottoplasty

Kenady: Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia, Gastroesophagael Reflux, Subglottic Stenosis, ROP, IVH, PDA. Surgeries: Glottis Granuloma Resection, Tracheostomy, Gastrostomy Tube, Nissen Fundoplication

Why Should Your Children Be Recognized as Preemies of the Year?

Kenady and Kastyn should be recognized as Preemie of the Year because they are the example of strength. I was put on hospital bed rest at 20 weeks and my doctor thought that within a couple of days I would lose both of them. They held on for 6 weeks. When they were born, they were so tiny yet so strong. Kastyn was the sickest baby and for days we didn’t know if he would live. His lungs were so bad that they did not know if he would be able to come off of the ventilator.  He fooled everyone and 120 days later he came home with no oxygen and very few medications. He now weighs 15 lbs and is growing like a weed.  Kenady also played a few tricks on us. At six days old she was off the ventilator and breathing on her own but was so small she wore herself out. At a week old and only 1lb 12oz she flipped over and extubated herself. We knew she was a fighter.  After 115 days in the NICU it was determined that she would need a tracheostomy.  She received her trach on July 8th and on July 17th she came home. She is still tiny at 11lbs but she is a little spitfire.  After all that she has been through she has a smile that will light up a room.  Kastyn and Kenady are my heroes.

Note (posted Oct 31, 2012):

Thank you to everyone for voting…We just recently found out that our fierce little girl has more obstacles to overcome. We thought she would outgrow the need for her trach but things went the opposite direction and her airway is completely closed. The trach is her lifeline. The doctors hope sometime after her 1st birthday they can reconstruct her airway. She is so brave and still smiling everyday.

Using Three Or More Characteristics of a Super Hero, Please Describe Your Children.

Kastyn is strong, thoughtful, and energetic.  He has a very sensitive side to him.

Kenady is my brave, fierce fighter. She always has a smile and can melt your heart.

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The Amazing Micro-Preemie 3 Amigos

January 8, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Reese F., Troy F., Jillian F.

Reece, Troy & Jillian F. ~ Super Hero Alias: The Amazing Micro-Preemie 3 Amigos

Age: 2 years old and 4 months
Weight at birth: Reese (1lb 6oz), Troy (2lbs 2oz), Jillian (2lbs)
Weeks gestation: Reese (23wks6days), Troy & Jillian (26wks3days)
Time in the NICU: Reese (115 days), Troy (91 days), Jillian (97 days)

Diagnosis, surgeries, complications?

Beyond the many micro-preemie breathing and other issues (ventilator, cpap, blood transfusions, brain bleeds, etc), Troy had heart surgery to close his PDA in August 2010. We currently have speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy weekly.

Why Should Your Children Be Recognized as Preemies of the Year?

Our triplets, Reese, Troy and Jillian, are “Preemies of the Year” because they are the real life 3 Amigos! I have never seen so much character packed into such tiny little bodies. Our first daughter, Reese, decided to take a leave from the Amigos at 23 weeks, 6 days because she was so determined to meet the world outside her momma’s belly. Troy and Jillian could only do without the first Amigo for so long, so they joined us 18 days later. Yes, that’s right; they are triplets with two separate birthdays! In the NICU, Kangaroo care was a joy, while the incessant warning beeps of the monitor were not; unless, of course, it was Reese doing her signature brief-bradychardia-beep when we tried to leave at the end of the day; just her way of saying “bye-bye” to Mom and Dad! Just as we were getting cozy into our NICU routine, Troy would be transferred to another hospital for heart surgery to close his PDA. On his Dad’s birthday, Troy went through surgery with flying colors, and his little heart was fixed. Troy shocked us all by being discharged HOME, and not back to our original NICU, on September 1st. We had heard of the infamous “wimpy boy” syndrome…well…this wimpy boy was the first of our three to come home. Not so wimpy, after all (he has much to prove on that at home now, as his sisters test his 2.25 year old strength on a daily basis). Reese and Jillian joined us at home on September 16, and that is when a whole other kind of crazy began! My husband made a photo montage recently, and for this point in time the music he chose was “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns n’ Roses. He could not have chosen a more appropriate tune. While we were so sleep deprived that it is rather blurry in both of our brains, we do remember a sea of acid reflux induced spit-ups,’ round the clock feedings, and lots of breast milk pumping (on my part, anyway). We waded through lots of doctor’s appointments and therapy appointments, but had to minimize the visitations by people who had awaited the arrival of these babies for so very long. It was very difficult saying “No, you can’t meet my children that I am immensely proud of” because of the risks of infection that came with it. Since then, it has been one amazing day after another. With the possible outcomes we were given based on their gestations at birth, I never would have pictured the amazing little people that they are today. They continue to receive various therapies, but are otherwise healthy 2 year olds. I cannot express how blessed we feel and how immensely thankful we are for everything (and everyone) we have. Reese, Troy and Jillian are truly the Amazing Micro-preemie 3 Amigos!

Using Three Or More Characteristics of a Super Hero, Please Describe Your Children.

Reese – Determined, Creative, Stealthy

Troy – Persistent, Persuasive, Glowing

Jillian – Ambitious, Indomitable, Clever

I tried to come up with three encompassing characteristics of Reese, Troy and Jillian. They have similarities, however they have characteristics that also set them apart from each other, slightly, and I wanted to share those.

Reese has been determined to beat the odds since the day she was born. It is always difficult to know when Reese isn’t feeling well because she maintains her good spirit and mood no matter how she is feeling. She is very stealthy in this way, and is also physically stealthy; this girl can be reading a book one second and then across the room climbing over a baby-gate the next! She finds ways to make anything work Reese’s way. She finds out how everything works, down to the details. This comes in handy later on when she wants to maneuver a dollhouse into a climbing stool to get over that gate.

Troy is a salesman at heart. He can persuade you of anything even though his vocabulary is still fairly limited at age 2. Once he has decided he wants to do something, he is persistent and will have you convinced of the same thing very quickly. He has a glow about him that just emanates his good spirits, which only helps with his persuasiveness. Watch out if you do catch him in bad spirits, though; that fiery redhead temper can flare every once in a while!

Jillian was dubbed “happy go lucky” in her NICU and early months. She was content to sleep in her Isolette and rarely encountered fussiness. We are convinced that she was planning her future ambitions this whole time. Her goals of leaping from couch to ottoman and doing a forward somersault have already been reached. Only Jillian knows what her next accomplishment will be. She cleverly keeps these ideas to herself and surprises everyone with them when she completes her attempts. Do not try to dissuade her from these tasks – if Jillian has decided it is important to try, it will be done.

What advice do you have for future NICU parents?

Even though you are focused on your baby (or babies), please take time to take care of yourself. Even if you aren’t hungry, eat. Even if you aren’t tired, sleep when you can. NICU babies need healthy Moms and Dads!

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Adeline the Dragon-slayer

December 31, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Adeline D ~ Super Hero Alias: Adeline the Dragon-slayer

Adeline DAge: 4 years
Weight at birth: 1lb 8ozs
Weeks gestation: 26 weeks
Time in the NICU: 135 days

Diagnosis, surgeries, complications?

Addie was born unexpectedly at 26 weeks, weighing just 680 grams. She was immediately transferred to our local children’s hospital where she lived for the first 135 days of her life.

She was diagnosed with NEC at 11 days old and had emergency surgery, removing 13 cm of dead bowel and creating two stomas on her tummy. At three weeks old, she had a PDA ligation, where they inserted a small clip in her heart through a tiny incision near her left shoulder. When she was three months old and nearing her due date, she had laser treatment on both eyes due to ROP, permanently eliminating most of her peripheral vision.

As a result of her bowel surgery, Addie struggled to gain weight in the NICU, so we stayed six weeks past her due date to have her ileostomy takedown surgery. She had a fifth surgery to repair an abdominal hernia in the fall of 2010.

Addie was a late crawler, late speaker, late walker (2nd birthday) and received occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy until her 3rd birthday. She has asthma and continues to struggle with weight gain, though you would never know all she’s been through just by looking at her.

Why Should Your Child Be Recognized as Preemie of the Year?

“And though she be but little, she is fierce.”

–Shakespeare, A Midsummer’s Night Dream

When I was pregnant with our first child–a daughter!–in the spring of 2008, I had lots of sweet dreams about her arrival. We bought tiny pink clothes and created a cozy nursery for her come home to. I read all the books and thought I knew “what to expect” from this little bundle of joy.

And then our lives were turned upside down in an instant…I still remember clearly the moment I realized I was about to give birth 14 weeks too early. I can picture the face of the sweet nurse who firmly told me that my daughter needed me to relax and breath. I can recall, word for word, the exact conversation that the nurses and doctors had while prepping me for surgery–cinnamon rolls for breakfast in the cafeteria.

And then she was born, crying like a newborn kitten with those soft little mews. After being checked over by the neonatologist and his transport team, her plastic isolette was wheeled into my recovery room for a moment before she left in an ambulance, without either of her parents.

For two days, I was kept at my delivery hospital and relied solely on pictures and updates from my husband, parents, and NICU nurses. For a month, I waited to hold her for the first time. For 135 days, I longed to take her home.

Most first-time parents don’t send their child off on their first car ride by themselves when they are hours old, count surgeries before teeth, or speak like they’ve been through years of medical school. Most parents don’t call a nurse every morning to find out how their child did overnight–they tuck their child safely into a bassinet next to them and complain about not getting enough sleep.

Every time I look at an early picture of Adeline or read through my journal, I am blown away by her strength in the midst of such adversity. As she’s grown into a beautiful little girl, I am even more amazed by her kind heart and strong faith. She is a walking One Pound Miracle.

“Most people never meet their hero. I gave birth to mine.”

Using Three Or More Characteristics of a Super Hero, Please Describe Your Child.

Adeline, our Dragon-Slayer

We have a difficult-to-pronounce, 13-letter last name. When Addie was in the NICU, her OR team called her Adeline “Dragon-Slayer” instead of using our last name (which also starts with a D).

*COURAGEOUS*

Adeline faces every new situation with a strong heart and a smile on her face. Every medical procedure, every blood draw, every therapy session–every time!

*SUPER-HUMAN STRENGTH*

She’s been in gymnastics classes for two months now and she can hang from the high bar and rings for an insane amount of time. I also wouldn’t want to go up against her in a game of tug-of-war!

*A SHARP MIND*

Addie started reading books at the age of 3 after not speaking a word until she was 18 months old. She remembers EVERYTHING we’ve ever told her and even likes to repeat it at the most interesting times. :)

*SENSE OF JUSTICE*

Our sweet girl is a people-person. She can read moods exceptionally well and she wants everyone around her to be happy and included.

What advice do you have for future NICU parents?

Do your research. Connect with other parents. Ask questions. Don’t compare your child to others. Disregard timelines. Pray!

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Deuce

December 24, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Bobby R

Bobby R

Bobby R ~ Super Hero Alias: Deuce

Current age: 21 months
Weight at birth: 1.96 lbs
Weeks gestation: 26 weeks
NICU Stay: 158 days

Diagnosis, surgeries, complications?

IUGR (should have weighed approx. 3 lbs. at birth); Respiratory Distress Syndrome/Chronic lung disease; Pneumonia; sepsis; GERD; Adrenal insufficiency; ROP stage 2; Respiratory failure; PDA; bilateral inguinal hernia surgery; 3 life threatening infections; “Wimpy White Boy” Syndrome

Why Should Your Child Be Recognized as Preemie of the Year?
What makes on a superhero?  There are a few commonalities that ALL Superheroes share.

Superheroes:

  • Have Alter-Egos
  • Have weaknesses
  • Have Lairs
  • Are Brave

Superman, Iron Man, Deuce, these are all true Superheroes.
Deuce? Who’s that you say?

Using Three Or More Characteristics of a Super Hero, Please Describe Your Child.

Deuce, also known as Bobby (his alter ego, who’s never caught without his glasses) was born 21 months ago. A micropreemie, Deuce weighed only 721g (1 pound 9 ounces) at birth.  He was severely underdeveloped and vulnerable. Struggling with respiratory distress syndrome, Deuce was placed on a ventilator in a NICU.  Two weeks after his birth, Deuce developed upper lobe pneumonia and went into respiratory failure. He had to be medevac’d to Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia (CHOP) because it was a level IV NICU and Deuce needed maximum support to stave off his weakness – the dreaded Pneumonia Man and his powerful kryptonite like chronic lung disease/respiratory failure.  His chances of surviving the flight, let alone his challenges ahead, were 50/50, at BEST.

Against the odds, Deuce started to (slowly) improve, once he got into his isolette at CHOP (AKA his Lair).  His arch-enemy (Pneumonia Man) tried everything to stop him – resulting in the use of a JET ventilator, used in trying to harm Deuce’s hearing with its helicopteresque decibel levels.  He caused infections befuddling some of the best doctors in the world.  Whenever Deuce started to eat more volume of his mommy’s liquid gold, Pneumonia Man hindered the progress – by dropping Deuce’s Blood Pressure, or causing reflux, and Deuce fought through every obstacle!

Once, the doctors noticed a whistling sound coming from Deuce.  Turned out that Deuce fought so hard that he outgrew the rigid ventilator tube and air was escaping.  They decided to extubate Deuce, much earlier than desired, and let him rest on Si-Pap for 12 hours, with equipment ready to reintubate with correct tubing. Deuce, fearing that the tube was the instrument that Pneumonia Man was using to weaken him, fought with such determination that he never was intubated again.  Well, that’s not 100% true.

Just before Deuce was released from the hospital, he needed hernia surgery.  This was worrisome because he had to be intubated again for surgery.  Before the doctors took him away, Deuce looked at me, winked and gave me a (figurative) fist bump.  I knew all was going to be OK, because he was so resilient. I was proven right as he was extubated when he returned to his lair.  Deuce’s bravery and determination are awe inspiring.  He fought through every obstacle that Pneumonia Man could muster and 158 days after birth, Deuce left his lair and began living as his alter-ego “Bobby”  in the Superhero Relocation/Protection Program (allegedly somewhere in Maryland).

Knock on wood, Deuce hasn’t encountered Pneumonia Man again, but surely he’d be ready to rip off his glasses, jump into his lair (although he probably needs to remodel because he’s a bit bigger than when he used it last) and destroy Pneumonia Man once and for all!

What advice do you have for future NICU parents?

Stay strong and never give up hope.  As Yogi Berra said, “It ain’t over till it’s over!”  And make sure you have a great support system (non family) who you can lean on and will allow you to have a tiny escape from the daily stress of parenting a newborn micropreemie.  Family is wonderful, but they are also hurting.  You need people around that won’t ask questions and will allow you to escape to the mundane every day worldly happenings.  Take pictures, enjoy the moments – the 1st bath, the 1st kangaroo care, the 1st feeding!  Keep a journal, write whatever you want – whether daily notes from the Doctors rounds or highlights – Believe me, it is awe inspiring to go back and review after the fact.

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?

I wish we would have known about Hand to Hold during Bobby’s NICU journey.  I feel that these services could provide the type of support that I mentioned above – the escape the mundane world support.

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Trailblazing Trevor

December 15, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Trevor C. ~ Super Hero Alias: Trailblazing Trevor

Trevor CAge: 23 months
Weight at birth: 1 lb, 1 oz
Weeks gestation: 26 weeks
Time in the NICU: 102 days

Diagnosis, surgeries, complications?

Severe IUGR (he should have weighed around 2.5 pounds at 26 weeks, but he was the size of a 22 weeker). PDA ligation at 2 days old, Bilateral brain bleed progressed into Cystic PVL (dead brain tissue), Chronic Lung Disease, Paralyzed vocal chord, Dysphagia, Atrial Tachycardia, inguinal hernias, Stage 2 ROP, GERD, 2 life-threatening infections, 16 blood transfusions, countless spinal taps.

Why Should Your Child Be Recognized as Preemie of the Year?
In spite of Trevor’s difficult birth and the terrible diagnosis of Cystic PVL, he has overcome all obstacles forced upon him.  Trevor will turn 2 years old on October 19th and has NO signs of any physical or mental disability.  Cystic PVL is almost always followed by a Cerebral Palsy diagnosis. In fact, we were told numerous times to expect him to have some form of CP and mental retardation.  Trevor does not have any signs of CP or mental retardation.  His story and journey continues to inspire many people.  Our family participates in raising funds and awareness for The March of Dimes, Children’s Miracle Network, and Graham’s Foundation.  We were recently chosen as a Texas Children’s Hospital “Miracle Family” for the Children’s Miracle Network.  Trevor’s photo and story appear on “miracle cards” distributed by CMN in efforts to gain CMN sponsors.  Team Trevor compiled a cookbook named “A Pound of This…An Ounce of That,” to raise money for the March of Dimes.  We received recipes from all 50 states in the US, 6 different countries, and personal submissions from celebrities including: Paula Deen, Brian Boitano, Nolan Ryan, Mario Andretti and many more.  Trevor has touched the lives and hearts of so many people across the nation.   He reminds us how precious life is, and how quickly it can be changed forever, and his story brings hope and inspiration to families of extremely pre-term babies.   He continues to prove to us everyday, that he fought the “preemie fight,” and he won.

Using Three Or More Characteristics of a Super Hero, Please Describe Your Child.

Trevor’s resilience,strength and determination amazed doctors and specialists from the moment he was born. While being prepped for an emergency cesarean, I was told that IF he survived delivery, not to expect to hear him cry at birth. Babies under 500 grams are not strong enough to cry. At 5:31pm, the moment he was brought into this world, Trevor cried. He stopped breathing shortly after and had to be intubated, but nonetheless, he made sure that his mommy heard him cry before they whisked him away. I never even seen him, but I heard him, and those tiny cries healed my heart for the moment.
Trevor had amazing determination from the beginning and still does today. He fought against the ventilator, breathing over it so much that doctors were afraid he would cause a tear in his lungs. He was not strong enough to breathe efficiently on his own, so he required the help of the ventilator, but he never stopped trying. He was determined to live, determined to cry, and determined to overcome the damage caused by his bleeding brain.

His ability to overcome statistics are mind boggling. Statistically, babies born weighing less than 500 grams do not survive, and sadly, those that do, usually face life-altering disabilities. Trevor weighed 490 grams. Not only did he survive, he fought endlessly, and walked away from extreme prematurity with no lasting effects. Trevor has blazed a trail through the NICU journey, and paved the way for future micro-preemies! Our little cowboy is, and will always be, my Super Hero.

What advice do you have for future NICU parents?

Where there’s life, there’s hope!  Stay strong, fight for your child, and never give up.

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?

I wish that I had known about Hand to Hold during our NICU journey.  I feel that talking with other parents who had previously experienced the same situation, would have helped me cope tremendously!

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Ikey the Invincible & Resilient Reagon

November 17, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Ikey and Reagon K

Ikey and Reagon K. ~ Super Hero Alias: Ikey the Invincible & Resilient Reagon

Age: 8 years old
Weight at birth: 1 lb, 15 oz each
Weeks gestation: 26 weeks, 5 days
Time in the NICU: 97 and 98 days

Diagnosis, surgeries, complications?

Reagon: Grade 3 bleeds in both sides of brain, PIE, multiple blood transfusions, constant As and Bs, PDA, asthma.

Ikey: mild ROP, bilateral inguinal hernia repair, multiple blood transfusions, constant As and Bs, PDA, asthma.

Why Should Your Children Be Recognized as Preemies of the Year?
These little boys were not supposed to do as well as they have.  I had been in the hospital for the week before they were born being treated with magnesium sulfate to stop the labor.  Contractions subsided, so I was discharged on a Thursday morning.  I went home on strict bedrest (had already been on bed rest since 24 weeks.)  Four hours later, with severe pain, my husband rushed me to the hospital, 10cm on arrival, and within 21 minutes, Ikey and Reagon were born by emergency c-section.  They had an extremely rough start, and several weeks of the unknown.

Here are a couple of things they endured while in the hospital. Doctors had to work to collapse Reagon’s lung to hopefully relieve him of all of the pockets of fluid in it (PIE), at the same time as watching his grade 3 bleeds in his brain.  He endured so many As and Bs in the hospital, that there were not even spots in the chart to record them all.  He was finally discharged from the NICU after three months, only to stop breathing in my arms at home two days later.  He had an undiagnosed UTI and was septic.  He was rushed to Children’s, which was at Brack at the time, and was revived.  He was a very sick little baby. Now, he is a robust 60 pound 8 year old third grader, who plays tennis, baseball, football, and rides his bike to school.

Ikey endured multiple blood transfusions. When we would arrive at the NICU to visit the babies, Ikey would be a dark red color, and we knew he had received more blood that day.  He had many more tranfusions than his brother.  He had minor ROP, and during his last week in the NICU, when he was stable enough, he had bilateral inguinal hernia repair.  He, too, had constant As and Bs during his stay.  Too many to count.  He now is a whopping 55 pound 8 year old third grader.  He is also very active and loves football, baseball and tennis.

When the boys were admitted to the NICU, they were put in the far back corner of bay 6.  They stayed in that spot for two and a half months.  They were never feeders and growers.  They were just trying to breathe.  They are both amazing, smart, humorous, athletic, and just wonderful.  They love to play sports with their big brother Walker, age 9 (35 weeker) and their friends.  They are just a delight to be around.

Why should these little boys be recognized as “Preemies of the Year”?  Well, they are just remarkable little boys who have been through far more than most people will ever go through in their entire lives.  And, thanks to the fantastic doctors and nurses at the Seton NICU, they are here with us today and could not be doing better!

Using Three Or More Characteristics of a Super Hero, Please Describe Your Children.

Ikey: invincible, adventurous, extraordinary.

Reagon: resilient, courageous, amazing.

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JJ the Great

October 15, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Jocelyn Z. ~ Super Hero Alias: JJ the Great

Jocelyn ZAge: 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.
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Super Sophia

October 8, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Sophia M. ~ Super Hero Alias: Super Sophia

Sophia MAge: 4 years old
Weight at Birth: 1lb 12oz
Weeks Gestation: 26 weeks
Time in the NICU: 195 days

Diagnosis, complications, surgeries?
NEC, 7 surgeries

Why should your child be recognized as “Preemie of the Year”?

After 2 perfect and easy pregnancies we figured #3 would be pretty uneventful. Boy, were we wrong! Our journey began when my water broke at 26 weeks. Our little SophieKat came 3 days later. Each day she got stronger and stronger even getting up to 2 lbs. We thought for sure she would be home by her due date until we heard the dreadful words necrotizing enterocolitis. There were several complications and surgeries to follow. But just when we thought that this was the worst time of our lives, we realized this was the most powerful. Watching this little miracle fight for her life gave us such strength. She renewed our faith and that of many others.

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The Mighty Hunter

August 28, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Hunter B. ~ Super Hero Alias: The Mighty Hunter

Hunter BAge: 4 years old
Weight at Birth: 2 lbs 2 ozs
Weeks Gestation: 26 weeks
Time in the NICU: 2.5 months

Diagnosis, complications, surgeries?
Mom was diagnosed with preeclampsia which called for induction of labor.

Why should your child be recognized as “Preemie of the Year”?

Our Mighty Hunter should be recognized as “Preemie of the Year” because of his miraculous journey since birth. Hunter’s nursing staff were amazed that his stay only required a common procedure for preemies: hernia surgery. While he was diagnosed with ROP and apnea, Hunter fought hard to overcome both. He “graduated” from Speech and OT before the age of three and received a “star” from his recent vision appointment. :) Today, Hunter, is a thriving “little big man”! He attends preschool, enjoys dancing and singing along to music, and for someone who was once receiving Speech services, his vocabulary is quite mature and growing! He is a treasure to his family, extended family and to those that know him :)

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Atticus the Great

August 21, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Atticus R. ~ Super Hero Alias: Atticus the Great

Atticus RAge: 9 weeks
Weight at Birth: 2 lbs, 1 oz
Weeks Gestation: 26 weeks
Time in the NICU: 69 days and counting

Diagnosis, complications, surgeries?

Respiratory distress syndrome, inguinal hernia, retinopathy of prematurity

Why should your child be recognized as “Preemie of the Year”?

Atticus was brought into this world with the odds against him.  Although he had weak lungs and a fragile body, he has a strong heart. What was written on his Star Wars baby shower invitations was correct, “The force is strong with this one.”  Atticus battled back from almost not making it at birth, to 9 weeks later being 5 lb 9 oz and expected to be discharged from the NICU in the next few weeks.  There have been lots of little bumps and stumbles along the rocky road we’ve been down the past two months, yet every time Atticus shows us how strong he is.  He is determined not to give up! He truly is a blessing to all who are around him and we are so excited to bring our little boy home very soon.

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