Child's Birth Year
01/31/2024

State/Province/Territory
Texas

NICU Hospital for my journey
Texas Children’s Hospital

My NICU Graduate's Journey
My son, Damoni, was born prematurely at 24 weeks gestation, making me a first-time mother. The birth was a harrowing experience, and we subsequently developed a resistance bacteria infection called Enterobacter cloacae. Due to my severe illness, I was unable to see Damoni for two weeks after his birth. It was Valentine’s Day when I finally had the opportunity to see him.
Damoni had developed meningitis, which resulted in an abscess on his brain. Additionally, he suffered a third-grade brain bleed, and we later discovered a hole in his heart. He underwent a PDA procedure, and despite medical predictions that he would not survive beyond 48 hours, Damoni defied these odds. He continued to grow and develop a remarkable personality, possessing a smile that could brighten up any room.
I am deeply grateful to all the nurses who provided compassionate care to both of us during our most challenging time.

What makes you proud of you NICU graduate?
What makes me proud of my NICU graduate is my son, Damoni. He is one of a kind, a true miracle. There is no way to adequately describe his remarkable journey. From a severely ill baby to the happiest infant I have ever seen, Damoni has made incredible progress. Since we began therapy, he has developed a contagious smile. I have witnessed Damoni overcome countless challenges. He is now learning to sit up, crawl, and roll. I am filled with excitement for his future and eagerly anticipate seeing him take his first steps.

Weight at Birth (lbs. or Grams)
1lb 3oz

Weeks Gestation
24 weeks

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