Child's Birth Year
2021

State/Province/Territory
Maryland

NICU Hospital for my journey
University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center

My NICU Graduate's Journey
Our son Tommy the third was born at exactly 33 weeks. On day two of life, he suffered a pneumothorax which required a chest tube for six days. I was able to hold him for a little bit at birth, but not again until six or seven days later. This first picture shows him with the tube in. Getting to hold him again was one of the most precious moments of my life. He spent a total of 25 days in the NICU and went home just before he reached 6 pounds. He has lingering lung issues , but otherwise now a happy and fun 2 1/2 year-old with a full-term little sister born in February 2024 !

What makes you proud of you NICU graduate?
He doesn’t remember, but we do. The fact that he just is inquisitive and wants to learn and keeps going, makes us the most proud.



Weight at Birth (lbs. or Grams)
4 lb 10 oz

Weeks Gestation
33 Weeks

Time spent in the NICU (Specify Day, Month, or Year)
25 Days