Child's Birth Year
2024

State/Province/Territory
Virginia

NICU Hospital for my journey
Henrico Doctor's Hospital

My NICU Graduate's Journey
Our son arrived unexpectedly at just 29 weeks and 5 days—tiny, fragile, and fighting. He weighed barely over three pounds and was immediately rushed to the NICU, where he would spend the next 55 days.

Those weeks were a blur of monitors, alarms, and whispered prayers. Feeding was a challenge; every milliliter felt like a victory. He battled necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a terrifying intestinal condition that left us holding our breath each day. And then came the diagnosis of periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), a form of brain injury that no parent is ever prepared to hear.

But through it all, he showed a strength far beyond his size. We watched as he slowly came off respiratory support, learned to suck and swallow, and gained the strength to be bottle fed. Every milestone—no matter how small—felt monumental.

The NICU became our second home, and the nurses and doctors, our lifeline. They celebrated with us, cried with us, and cared for our son with unwavering dedication.

After 55 long, emotional days, we finally brought him home—our warrior, our miracle. His journey began with uncertainty, but his resilience continues to inspire us every single day.


What makes you proud of you NICU graduate?
I am so proud of him—not just for surviving, but for how he did it: with determination, resilience, and a quiet strength that defied his size. He taught me what it means to fight with everything you have, to be brave even when the odds are stacked against you.

Bringing him home after 55 days was one of the proudest moments of my life. His journey is far from over, but every day he continues to grow, thrive, and remind me that miracles happen—even when they come early.

Weight at Birth (lbs. or Grams)
3 lbs

Weeks Gestation
29 Weeks

Time spent in the NICU (Specify Number of Days, Months, or Years)
55 Days