Child's Birth Year
2024

State/Province/Territory
Illinois

NICU Hospital for my journey
Rush Copley Medical Center

My NICU Graduate's Journey
born 3 1/2 months early after attempting to escape 3 other times. she came out like a bruised little alien due to an emergency csection due to placental abruption and her trying to push through my cervical cerclage. such a sweet little peanut and all the nurses loved her, even when she was trying to pull at her wires and rubbing her face into her bed while intubated. she had a cute little mohawk that stuck out around the bili light glasses. she had a PDA & PFO that resolved themselves and after several rounds of DART she got low enough on her oxygen needs that we were comfortable with the idea of going home with it. however, a few days after getting her gtube she decided she didn’t need it anymore and we were finally able to go home after 4 months.

What makes you proud of you NICU graduate?
she is so strong - even at 3lbs she was trying to wrestle the nurses during her cares and cracking us all up. she barely fussed or cried and loved to just hold a hand or cuddle. the only time she was truly upset was the day she had surgery for her gtube & umbilical hernia, which tore my heart apart. now she’s still got the gtube, feeding therapy, physical therapy, and a helmet, but she’s the most smiley and happy little girl. she handles all of her weekly appointments like a champ and is constantly impressing all of us with her progress. started sleeping through the night within two months of leaving the NICU and she only fusses when she’s tired or we try to put a hat/mittens on her 😂 she’s a spicy lil meatball and the absolute light of my life.

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

Weeks Gestation
26 Weeks 3 Days

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