Brielle

Child's Birth Year
2014

State/Province/Territory
Minnesota

NICU Hospital for my journey
St. Cloud

My NICU Graduate's Journey
Brielle was born at 24 gestational weeks. She was born at 1lb 5oz. She had a hole in her heart, severe bleeding lungs and a clump of veins outside her skull, among many other hardships she would face along the way. They thought she would be born with Trisomy and be blind and deaf as well. I was told she would not make it through the first day, then not through the first night. Repeatedly. She stopped breathing/coded so many times per day, the doctors told me she would have learning disabilities from all the lack of oxygen to the brain. It was a very long road with a lot of ups and downs, and tears and prayers.

What makes you proud of your NICU graduate?
My daughter has been a fighter since day one. She has fought for every moment to breathe to be here! She has dealt with a lot of health issues over the years, and she has dealt with struggles to learn to read and struggles with Math and other subjects in school. She was told with the severe scarring on her lungs that she would probably not be able to participate in sports, but she has rose above it all and become a multi medal winning dance champion!

Weight at Birth (lbs. or Grams)
1lb 5oz

Weeks Gestation
24 weeks

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