Child's Birth Year
2008

State/Province/Territory
Mississippi

NICU Hospital for my journey
Women’s and Children’s Hospital of Alabama

My NICU Graduate's Journey
Keilan was born December 12,2008 at 23wks and 4 days. He was an emergency C-Section due to a ruptured Placenta. He was 11.5 inches long. His weight went down to due to him having a hole in his heart (found out after having some x-rays done) that needed closing. He had multiple blood transfusions because of the hole. February of 2009 he had surgery to close the hole in his heart. In the same month he had to undergo laser surgery to remove scar tissue from his eyes (a result of the blood vessels stopping growth because of him being born early). He received lasik due to fluid building up in him. He was on the breathing vent the first four months he was born and then on and off the last month. He stayed in the hospital for 6 months. May of 2009 he had to have two hernia repair surgeries due to straining to use the bathroom. June of 2009 Keilan came home weighing 5lbs 4oz. Keilan was sent home with an apnea monitor to keep track of his lungs and heart for 3 months. He had to learn how to breathe and consume a bottle. He received a shot every month for a year that would help his lungs develop. Keilan is now a 15 year old young man going into his sophomore year of high school.

What makes you proud of you NICU graduate?
I’m proud of Keilan’s resilience and the fight he has to be better and work harder than the day before. His spirit is caring for everyone he feels are sad. Always willing to help. Very respectful. Never gives up when he is passionate about something. I’m an all around proud mom of a NICU graduate!

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

Weeks Gestation
23 Weeks 4 Days

Time spent in the NICU (Specify Day, Month, or Year)
6 Months