Eliana and Connor are 27 week micro preemies, born 1 lb, 10 oz each on November 10, 2013 at Mother Baby Center.  Both were immediately whisked away to the Minneapolis Children’s NICU.  Eliana was born with a complex heart defect and would need immediate open heart surgery.  Oops, much too small for that.  She depended on the NICU to help her grow to six pounds for her surgery.  Eliana stayed in the NICU until Feb 12, 2014 and was transferred to the cardiac unit, at six pounds.  February 14, 2014 (yes, Valentine’s day) she had her first open heart surgery, lasting close to eight hours.  She recovered quickly, and was home with a feeding tube, pulse oxcimeter and oxygen on March 10, 2014.  At home she continued to thrive, and was re-admitted for a second open heart surgery on August 29, 2014.  Again, this surgery went off without a hitch.  She is now at 20 pounds and her development is amazing.

Mr. Connor.  He was not supposed to be the problem child, but we all know boys.  His tiny lungs could not get with the program while in the NICU.  On March 17th, 2014 he was sent to surgery for a tracheotomy and is ventilator dependent.  While preparing for Eliana’s second surgery, Connor became more critical, and we were preparing for a double lung transplant in Houston, Texas or hospice.  Each option was heavy on our minds and lead to many dark days.  We believe Connor was listening the entire time and told us “not so quick.”  With the skills of the entire NICU staff, all which are so great at what they do, he slowly turned the corner.  While still critical, we were optimistic.

Connor turned one year old in the NICU.  Many teeth, lots of hair; it was apparent he was beginning to overstay his welcome in the NICU.  After 367 days, he graduated from the NICU and was moved to a big boy room in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, PICU at Minneapolis Children’s.  He continues to thrive and was moved from a hospital vent to a home vent.  He has been weaned from almost all of the narcotics, steroids and other medication that was keeping him alive in the NICU.

Connor is on the books to be discharged home on May 13, 2015, over 500 days in the hospital.  He is scheduled to make an appearance at the 2015 Baby Steps Walk.

With both kids, Shira and I spent 443 days inpatient at Minneapolis NICU alone.  We owe this fundraiser to them for all they have done for our kids… We will never ever forget.