Child's Birth Year
2017

State/Province/Territory
Texas

NICU Hospital for my journey
Cook Children's Medical Center Fort Worth

My NICU Graduate's Journey
Dax’s mom was life flighted on a helicopter from San Angelo to Cook’s hospital in Ft. Worth, Tx. They did all they could to prolong the birth but Dax had other plans. With mom on the verge of death, he was born at a whopping 1.5 lbs. at 25 weeks by C-Section. He was fed with a Q-tip, battled jaundice and lung and organ development. His diaper was smaller than my hand. He had good days and bad days but he fought hard to grow and his parents learned how to take care of him through an incubator. Fortunately, through the entire ups and downs of N CU life came out with only a small vision issue in one eye. He is strong and healthy today. Though still small and tiny, Dax loves to play all sports including football, basketball, track, and his favorite - baseball. He is thriving in school and a friend to many! The entire school, community, church, city of San Angelo and the outlying towns prayed for this child. He is certainly a result of the power of prayer and the camaraderie of those who believe in miracles through faith. He is in first grade at Wall Elementary where he received the Fighting Hawk award in Kindergarten for his strength and tenacity to overcome difficulties and be a survivor, as well as, carrying on the traits of good leadership for his classmates and community. Daxtyn is a testimony for not only those that start out life rough, but to anyone who has struggles, an example to know they can endure and “survive” anything. And just like Dax, it can end with a huge smile on their face. He is living and enjoying life!

What makes you proud of you NICU graduate?
I think the most proud thing coming from Daxtyn can be summed up with the phrase “Tiny but Mighty !” He started life with such fragility but never let that get in his way. He has confidence and with the help of his older brother (and his brother’s friends) believes he can do anything. He is the smallest in his class but does not let that hold him back. He gets out there with the best of them and will pull with the strength of a bull in tug-o-war, jump like he is 7ft tall to make a basket or jump in knee deep digging rocks out of a ditch. The fact that he never uses his height or weight as a crutch makes me proud! It only proves his ability to shoot for the stars not letting anything stand in his way. #tinybutmighty #daxtynstrong

Weight at Birth (lbs. or Grams)
1.5 lbs

Weeks Gestation
25 weeks 6 daya

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