Child's Birth Year
1977

State/Province/Territory
Massachusetts

NICU Hospital for my journey
MetroHealth Medical Center

My NICU Graduate's Journey
Kate was conceived in Morocco. Kate was born at Deaconess Hospital of Cleveland. Kate was transferred to the MetroHealth Special Care Nursery, there was no NICU in 1977.

Kate suffered from patent ductus arteriosis (PDA) that wasn't closing; she was spared open-heart surgery. She became septic but responded to antibiotics. She started to necrotize her bowel but she, again, responded to antibiotics.

Kate was fed with an orogastric (OG) tube.

Kate needed to be intubated and, later, reintubated.

Kate dwindled down to approximately 1.5 pounds.

Kate was a favorite of the nurses.

What makes you proud of you NICU graduate?
Kate has become a NICU nurse. Kate's mom is a retired nurse; she retired from MetroHealth. Kate's paternal grandmother, too, was a nurse.

Weight at Birth (lbs. or Grams)
2.38 lbs

Weeks Gestation
26 Weeks

Time spent in the NICU (Specify Day, Month, or Year)
10 Weeks