Marlon

Child's Birth Year
2018

State/Province/Territory
North Carolina

NICU Hospital for my journey
Duke University Hospital

My NICU Graduate's Journey
Marlon was born with chronic severe congenital heart defects. Aortic Coarctation, Ventricular and atrial septal defects. He had his first and most invasive open heart intervention at just 5 days old. His surgery was nearly 8 hours.

What makes you proud of your NICU graduate?
We are extremely proud of our NICU graduate for his resilience and tenacity! He's definitely a fighter. When he was three months old we were struck by a driver who ran a red light at about 50mph. Marlon was back in the hospital that week for an arterioplasty as a result but, again he championed through! At age 3 he was diagnosed with autism. Up until about age five he was non verbal. Now he's learning to converse and we couldn't be more proud of and excited for him! Marlon doesn't let anything stop him. I'm proud of him as a teacher to me as well. He has taught me lessons in patience, empathy, acceptance, faith, prayer and the art of letting what is, be just that. We're so proud of you Marlon.

Weight at Birth (lbs. or Grams)
7lbs 4oz

Weeks Gestation
37wks

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