Jaxon

Child's Birth Year
2021

State/Province/Territory
Alabama

NICU Hospital for my journey
University of Alabama Birmingham

My NICU Graduate's Journey
Jaxon was born at UAB in March 2021 at only 25 weeks gestation. He weighed in at 1 lb 9oz and was 12in long. At birth, Jaxon had to be resuscitated. He was born with 2 brain bleeds, grade 4 & 5, as well as hydrocephalus. Due the Jaxon’s diagnosis of hydrocephalus he underwent 3 different brain surgeries to place shunts to drain the excess spinal fluid that was building and putting pressure on his brain. After one of his surgeries Jaxon developed staph and was very ill. Thankfully he overcame that illness. Due to Jaxon’s severe prematurity he also required a lot of pulmonary support to maintain safe oxygen levels. Jaxon was on high flow oxygen for his entire 172 day NICU stay. Jaxon was discharged in September 2021, still on oxygen, and has since undergone 2 shunt revision surgeries. Jaxon was able to discontinue oxygen use around the age of 2. Today he is a happy 5 year old who still has many milestones to meet. We just praise God that he is here, happy, and as healthy as possible.

What makes you proud of your NICU graduate?
There was a time I wasn’t so sure that I would bring my baby home from the hospital. He was so sick and we were scared, but he is tough. He fought so hard through all of his complications and illnesses. I am proud that he is strong, determined, a fighter, and mine! He is still learning, developing, and doing things that we never imagined we would get to witness him do. We are still working on walking and some other fine motor skills, as Jaxon has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, but he shows us everyday that he is getting stronger and stronger.

Weight at Birth (lbs. or Grams)
1 lb 9 oz

Weeks Gestation
25 weeks

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