2023 Miracle Child – Ryan Cienki
Written by his mom, Becky
 

In February 2010, I was excited to host my sister’s baby shower in Traverse City. It was exciting for both of us to be pregnant at the same time, with my sister’s daughter due a few months earlier than my son Ryan. However, serious complications with the pregnancy became apparent shortly after I arrived in town and I was admitted to the local hospital where they diagnosed me with a subchorionic hematoma at 17 weeks of pregnancy. Perinatal consultations with a team in Lansing and Grand Rapids were provided via telehealth and we were told the chances of making it to the stage of viability for Ryan were slim. I was on bedrest for 6 weeks until Ryan was born via an emergency C-section at 23 weeks.

During the days leading up to Ryan’s birth, we were regularly updated on the mortality statistics for a baby born at his gestational age and the chances of varying levels of disability. We were determined that he should be given every chance at survival, and the last thing I recall as I was put under sedation for my C-section was begging for the RNICU team to be present and to do everything in their power to give Ryan a chance at life.

Ryan weighed one pound seven ounces at birth and was immediately supported by a strong team of professionals in the Sparrow RNICU. The team was truly top-notch, including the Michigan State University neonatologists, nurse practitioners, nurses, respiratory therapists, phlebotomists, and so many others. They all treated us like family and still feel like family today.

Ryan’s time in the neonatal unit was not easy. He was very sick with underdeveloped lungs/bronchopulmonary dysplasia, multiple infections, intraventricular hemorrhages, necrotizing enterocolitis, advanced retinopathy of prematurity and so much more. He was intubated on a ventilator for two and a half months, then on varying forms of oxygen support, ultimately coming home on a nasal cannula, feeding tube, and many medications.

After discharge, Ryan required regular follow-up appointments with many subspecialists, therapists, medical equipment providers, and others. He was readmitted that first year into the pediatric intensive care unit for breathing difficulties, and for additional surgery. The PICU team was also incredible and we loved having visits from our family in the NICU as well.

You’ll regularly hear from our family that it takes a village, and we are so appreciative of the village/family from University of Michigan Health at Sparrow Children’s Center. Everyone from the nurses and technicians at Sparrow has been great to work with in addition to the devoted MSU neonatologists. While Ryan is certainly our little miracle, we know many others consider him their miracle too. Not only did Ryan survive, but he’s thriving as a compassionate, inquisitive, and determined 12-year-old who continues to exemplify perseverance. He loves to build things (including building in video games), ride his bike and hoverboard, and is thrilled to join the band this year.

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