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Super Boo-Boo

May 10, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Lilly C. ~ Super Hero Alias: Super Boo-Boo

Lilly CAge: 3 months
Weight at birth: 4lbs 4 ozs
Weeks gestation: 34 weeks
Time in the NICU: 10 days

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

Lilly is absolutely amazing. The doctor forgot to tell her she was a preemie. She came six weeks early (giving mommy a seizure to let her know she was ready to come out) and spent 10 days in the NICU. At first she had a little bit of jaundice but she kicked its butt early in her stay there. Before we could take her home she had to learn how to multitask when eating. Every brady she had made my heart sink but this little girl is a trooper. She doesn’t give up and blows through every obstacle that is put in front of her. This is why I think she is amazing. She makes me think “if this little preemie can do it, I can do it!” Her strength gave me the strength to get up out of bed two days after an emergency c-section so that I could get better to take care of her.

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

Lilly’s secret identity is called Boo-boo. Her super abilities include: Sleeping through the night, power kicking mommy, and making everyone  who meets her fall in love with her. Her trade mark is her tongue, she never keeps that thing in her mouth. She even has her own catchphrase “agee.”

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Giada Bean

April 8, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Giada N. ~ Super Hero Alias: Giada Bean

Giada N.Age: 1 month 2 weeks and 6 days
Weight at birth: 4lbs 11oz
Weeks gestation: 34 weeks and 6 days
Time in the NICU: 12 days

Diagnosis, surgeries, complications?

Hydronephrosis at 25 weeks

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

I had my daughter on August 17, at 34 weeks and 6 days, due to preeclampsia, while I was on vacation in Flagstaff, AZ. For those who don’t know, Flagstaff is 7500 ft above sea level, and I live in San Diego, CA, which is at sea level. At 34-35 weeks, the fetus is learning how to use their lungs, so to be born at 34 weeks and at such a high altitude, would make breathing a struggle for her. Giada had also been diagnosed with hydronephrosis early in my pregnancy, and the Doctors were afraid she might have some sort of hip dysplasia because I had had it when I was born. She stayed in the NICU for only 2 weeks. After only 2 days, she was taken off of oxygen. Despite being very skinny, she was eating very well. Finally after a long wait, I was finally able to take her out of the NICU, but we still had one more feat: getting back to San Diego. Ten hours of driving later, we made it home. The next week she had a x-rays of her kidneys and an ultrasound of her hips done. They came back normal. She is finally a healthy 8 lbs at 1 and 1/2 months old, with no physical or mental health problems. She managed to over come a lot in only a few weeks, and that’s why Giada should be “Preemie of the Year”.

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

1. Strong – I was told she would have to stay in the NICU until September 22 (her actual due date) but she was released after only 2 weeks.

2. Determined – When she wants something she will do anything to get it.

3. Intelligent – She’s learning new things every day. And every day she gets smarter, she gets stronger, and with that strength comes determination, and when she’s determined to do something, she learns how to do it, no matter what the obstacle, thus giving her the intelligence to do it again or do it better.

What advice do you have for future NICU parents?

It is very scary at first, but just trust that your NICU nurses are doing everything they can for your son or daughter, and at some point they will be able to come home with you. Try not to be too upset because the baby can sense that. Visit him/her as often as possible, and bring a ton of outfits for him/her to wear to cheer you up :)

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The Pee-er

March 27, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Sterling W ~ Super Hero Alias: The Pee-er

Sterling WAge: 10 weeks
Weight at birth: 3 lbs 11 oz
Weeks gestation: 34 weeks
Time in the NICU: 56 days

Diagnosis, surgeries, complications?

Truncus and aorta repair. Focal seizures left arm. Moderate stroke. 1-1/2 collapsed lungs. Left vocal chord paralyzed. Jaundice. Arrhythemias. Apnea. Bradycardia. That is all I can think of now. But I’m sure there is more.

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

He has been through so much. He was a preemie, but because of placental failure he was really small for his age. So he had to grow before he could have surgery to repair the truncus and aorta. He had apnea and bradycardia from being premature, but he was also on prostaglandin that just made the apnea and Brady spells worse. The TPN started giving him problems with his liver. He was on Lasix to help with the fluid on his lungs, that threw off his electrolytes giving him arrhythmias. His hematocrit kept dropping so he was having blood transfusions 2-3 times a week. Once he was 6 weeks old (actual) he was finally big enough to have open heart surgery, but those were not without complications. He threw a clot from the bypass giving him a moderate stroke and seizures. All the swelling in his chest collapsed his left lung halfway and his right lung entirely. His left vocal chord was also paralyzed from the surgery. But our little guy is a fighter. He came home at 9 weeks old (actual) on oxygen and a NG tube. But he is finally home with us and we are thrilled. He is now 10 weeks old and weighs 7 lbs 8 oz. we are so proud of our little fighter.

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

strong, charming, calm
Our little guy is well known by all at UCSF. He quickly got a reputation not only for being cute, but for the incredible superpower of being able to pee on everything in his isolette while swaddled in a daiper. He quickly became known as “the pee-er”. He has peed on many of the nurses and his dad. He peed this morning and created a puddle almost twice the size of his body, while in a diaper and swaddled. But the pee-er is not into being dirty. The only reason he screams is if his diaper is dirty.

The pee-er is also known for being incredibly cute–melting hearts with his expressive face.

The pee-er is often accompanied by his trusty sidekick Bear. A beanie baby that was just a little smaller than him at birth. Bear has been by his side through his journey in the NICU and has followed him home to continue to fight together as long as there is a need to fight.

What advice do you have for future NICU parents?

Occasionally leave the hospital. Sleep in your own bed. Eat a home cooked meal. Especially if the stay is long. You can’t sleep in chairs and eat at the hospital forever.

Bring in hats for the baby. It makes them look like they belong to you and not the hospital. Decorate their isolette. Make a sign with their name. Bring in 1-2 SMALL stuffed animals, think beanie baby size.

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Miracle Mason

February 8, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Mason V ~ Super Hero Alias: Miracle Mason

  • Mason VCurrent age: 3 years
  • Weight at birth: 6lb 4oz
  • Weeks gestation: 34 weeks
  • Time in the NICU: 10 days

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

The smaller the package the better the goods….

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

Compassionate, gentle and radiant

What advice do you have for future NICU parents?

Stay strong!

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Determinators

September 17, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Dylan and Derek  C. ~ Super Hero Alias: Determinators

Dylan and Derek CAge: 2 months and 3 weeks
Weight at Birth: 4.1  and 4.14
Weeks Gestation: 34 weeks
Time in the NICU: 33 days

Diagnosis, complications, surgeries?
Laryngomalacia

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

The determined twins tried coming to this world at 31 weeks. Then again a day later. I was admitted on bedrest in Austin to wait till 34 weeks. The day before I turned 34 weeks the Doctor said I could go home to San Marcos to wait out the pregnancy.  Well The Determineators had other plans. They weren’t leaving Austin without a fight. So at 3:00am I began contracting every 5 mins. At 5:30am I decided to call a nurse. Once again I’m back to the labor and delivery to discover I’m in full blown labor. Once my Doctor arrived he said, “What happened, I thought you were going home today?” I said, “The twins had other plans.” Within an hour, Dylan 4.1 and Derek 4.14 were here. They were sent right away to be with all the fellow NICU babies. From day one these boys were super determined to do what they want. And so they did by taking the bottle right away. They had great sucks and loved donor milk. The nurses said they are doing such a great job and making tremendous progress. They had to be on the lowest amount of oxygen for the A’s and B’s. I knew right there these babies were fighters. One day they were removed from donor milk, and that’s when the determinators tried to show who’s boss. They stopped wanting the bottle and that’s when tube feedings were introduced. After a couple of days they started spitting up and having reflux. They were switched to the spit up formula and once again the Determinators started taking the bottle full force. Days go by and once the twins were off caffeine, the count down to no more Bradys was here.  Here we go again. The Determinators wanted to show who’s boss. Derek was scheduled a few days earlier to take the sleep study and was on the verge of going home without his brother. Well, he had other plans.  He wasn’t leaving without Dylan.  Derek went off and had a mild Brady. So now the twins were on the same countdown schedule to take the test. With such  sadness that I couldn’t have one home, I was also filled with laughter that they didn’t want to leave each other.  So five more days we go and they failed their test. Once again we waited for five more days. Then I received the call that I waited so patiently for. The twins both passed the sleep study. With great joy and excitement, 33 days in the NICU finally came to an end.  Our adventure as a family began.  Watch out world cause the DETERMINATORS are here to conquer all odds with superior force.

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Wild Woman Yara

August 10, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Yara F. ~ Super Hero Alias: Wild Woman Yara

Yara BAge: 6 years
Weight at Birth: 2 lbs, 3 oz
Weeks Gestation: 34 weeks
Time in the NICU: 7 weeks

Diagnosis, complications, surgeries?

Yara was IUGR and only grew to 29.5 weeks in utero.  She had PDA surgery two days after her delivery and then spent time in the NICU working on building up her weight and getting her gastrointestinal system to work correctly.

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

Because you would never know that Yara was a preemie! As they say, dynamite comes in small packages, and this little peanut is just that.  She showed the world from the moment that she came into it that she was loaded and ready to go.  The nurses at St. David’s dubbed her “Wild Woman Yara” early on because of her spunk and fearless attitude.  She would use those strong lungs of hers to get their attention and it worked so well that she was given her own private room in the NICU.  She has grown up to be a very precocious and life loving little girl who believed she could fly when she was three so she jumped off of a playscape and broke her wrist, thinking she was a superhero.  She is the life of a party and is a great testament that preemies can conquer the greatest challenges and not just survive but THRIVE!

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Tinkerbell

April 15, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Melynna S. ~ Super Hero Alias: Tinkerbell – She’s a Tiny Fairy Princess

Melynna SAge: 15 months
Weight at Birth: 3 lb, 6 ounces
Weeks Gestation: 34 weeks
Time in the NICU: 28 days

Diagnosis, complications, surgeries?

HELLP Syndrome

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

I almost died giving birth … and in hindsight my child saved my life. I never wanted to have children. I never wanted the responsibility of being a parent and then I found out I was pregnant. I went through shock, fear, doubt and concern but on the night she was born by emergency c-section I was at peace. I had approx. 3 hours notice she would be making her arrival and yet I wasn’t worried because I knew she was placed in my life to show me life matters and that I have a purpose. In the year before I would have given up my life out of selfishness and fear – now the only way I would give up my life is to save HERS! She saved me. She absolutely saved me.
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The Green Lantern

March 31, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Lawson K. ~ Super Hero Alias: The Green Lantern

Lawson KAge: 13 weeks, 5 days
Weight at Birth: 4 lb 15 ozs
Weeks Gestation: 34 weeks, 3 days
Time in the NICU: 14 days

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

Our Superhero was conceived with the help of doctors after many years of his Mommy and Daddy praying for, and dreaming about him. He was almost born at 24 weeks due to incompetent cervix and preterm labor. Mommy’s cervix was only 0.6cm thick when the doctor stitched her up! He hung in there and tried to be nice to Mommy by not kicking too much or hurting her. Then Mommy developed preeclampsia and he had to be delivered to save his Mommy’s life! Our Superhero risked his life to come early and save his Mommy!!
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Giulia GooeyFingers

December 7, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Giulia G. ~ Super Hero Alias: Giulia GooeyFingers

Giulia GAge: 5 years old
Weight at Birth: 7 pounds 12 ounces
Weeks Gestation: 34 weeks
Time in the NICU: 6 days

Diagnosis, complications, surgeries?
Giulia was jaundiced at birth and lost almost 25% of her birth weight within her time at the hospital.

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

After being told she was underweight, over and over, weekly weight checks, and pressure to feed constantly, Giulia remained tiny and petite until almost her 4th birthday. Now at 5, Giulia weighs 62 pounds, almost a head taller than all of her kindergarten class, and many 2nd graders, and is tall enough to ride every ride at Disney World! [Read more...]

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Wonder Girls

September 6, 2011 by Leave a Comment

NICU Reunion, Family Celebration, Hand to Hold Birthday, Photo Contest

Lily & Sophie S. ~ Super Hero Alias: Wonder Girls

Lily and Sophie SAge: 16 months
Weight at Birth: Lily – 4 lbs and Sophie – 3 lbs 15 ounces
Weeks Gestation: 34 weeks
Time in the NICU: Lily – 29 days; Sophie – 14 days

Diagnosis, complications, surgeries?
Twin birth – preterm labor – my water broke – both had low birth weight; Lily had sleep apnea, problems eating, and reflux.

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

My adorable twins, Lily and Sophie, should be recognized as your Preemies of the Year because they deserve to be recognized for their individuality and power to influence others. As the second born twin, Sophie came out early and little but she fought hard to be the biggest and strongest and the first one home. Lily is a brave little fighter who has had many issues including sleep apnea, reflux, and a helmet to fix her head shape. Both of these sweet girls can warm and melt your heart with one little smile just like fire. They also have this amazing capability or super power to work any room like the greatest social butterflies and bring smiles to all they meet. They love each other and are inseparable. They tickle each other and giggle so much that they fall to the ground in hysterics and mommy and daddy can’t help but laugh.
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