Child's Birth Year
2021

State/Province/Territory
Texas

NICU Hospital for my journey
Medical City Dallas Hospital

My NICU Graduate's Journey
Jack was born at 26 weeks 3 days and weighing 1lb 2oz due to placental insufficiency and severe IUGR. He spent 128 days in the NICU fighting respiratory, eye, growth, and feeding difficulties. He liked to take his time with everything. He was given the title "whimpy white boy." He spent 28 days on the oscillator ventilator then worked his way through the conventional ventilator, CPAP, bubble CPAP, nasal canula, high and low flow oxygen and at 9 months old was finally off all respiratory support. He overcame stage 2 ROP in both eyes. He had trouble gaining weight and feeding issues. Started with breast milk with the max amount of fortifier, then the hind part of breast milk only, and ended up with honey thick formula because he silent aspirated. He was finicky with nurses and had a little attitude that liked to set off all alarms if he was touched, but loved his primary nurse and care team and did best with them. It was a long 128 days of taking one step forward and then 5 steps back, but Jack was strong, hard headed and determined to overcome every obstacle that got in his way, even if it required a little extra time. He shocked doctors, beat statistics and made everyone fall in love with him. Slow and steady wins the race.

What makes you proud of you NICU graduate?
Resilience. Jack is the definition of small but mighty. He has been through a lot and always finds a way to overcome it while smiling and laughing. He doesn't even act sick when he is. He is still tiny at 2.5 years old, weighing 22 pounds and has been labeled as "failure to thrive" but there is nothing about him that says failure. He started walking at 15 months and hasn't looked back. He is extremely active, running and climbing everywhere. Smart as can be, talking up a storm and Mr. Socialite who thrives at daycare and being involved in everything. Nothing goes unnoticed by him, and if he sees you doing it, you better believe he is right behind you trying it on his own. His tenacity and zest to live live full throttle and overcome everything life throws at him, makes me proud to call him mine.

Weight at Birth (lbs. or Grams)
1 lb 2 oz

Weeks Gestation
26 Weeks 3 Days

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