Child's Birth Year
2022

State/Province/Territory
Texas

NICU Hospital for my journey
Christus Mother Francis Hospital - Tyler

My NICU Graduate's Journey
James was born on 9/9/22 at 27 weeks. He has been the strongest fighter since day one. Throughout his 4 month journey in the NICU he was on the ventilator and oscillator for 27 days, he fought through pneumonia and campylobacter, went through numerous blood transfusions, Avastin injections for Retinopathy of Prematurity, an hernia surgery, he graduated from the bi-pap, to c-pap, to nasal cannula throughout his 4 month stay, and spent his last few weeks figuring out how to eat from his bottle so he could finally remove his feeding tube. He has had more shots, blood withdrawn, steroids, morphine, and versed in his first 4 months of life than most people will ever have in their entire life. He is the most resilient little human I have ever met. He was able to graduate after 122 days in the NICU. He went home on oxygen for a couple more months and now at 20 months old he is breathing room air, moving around at the speed of a sand crab, and living his best life.

What makes you proud of you NICU graduate?
Everything about James makes me proud. His resilience and tenacity, his exceedingly willful spirit, he is so incredibly mentally and physically strong. He has this amazing ability to still smile and laugh throughout it all. I didn’t know this type of strength even existed until I met my son. He amazes me every single minute of the day.

Weight at Birth (lbs. or Grams)
1 lb 8 oz

Weeks Gestation
27 Weeks

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