Love, Emileigh

"Dear NICU Mama, As you navigate life after NICU, always remember that your child cannot be defined by charts, diagnosis, statistics, and numbers.

Navigating life after the NICU is anything but easy. There can be constant follow up appointments, specialists, and therapies–all while trying to heal. You could have multiple doctors showing you the ‘charts’ and where your child falls on it, sometimes behind and sometimes ahead. But always remember, watching our little warriors fight and do the unthinkable is more than what one piece of paper can say.

Milestones and statistics do not define your child. They are great resources, but every child is different and develops on their own time. There is no timeline and there is no race. Give yourself and your child grace and know that you can accomplish anything after going through the NICU.”

Love,
Emileigh

More of Emileigh + Colton’s NICU Journey:

“Colton was born due to placental abruption at 26 weeks gestation with an unknown cause and had an emergency c section. He came out 2lbs 2oz with nothing but a fight! Our doctors told us 5 more minutes and neither of us would be here right now. With a 14% chance of survival “if he made it through the first 24 hours” is something that sticks with you for the rest of your life. We never could’ve prepared for the roller coaster of the NICU we were about to endure for the next 6 months. 

Colton spent 109 days in the NICU and the day we came home it wasn’t even 24 hours later he was admitted back into the PICU for an additional 3 months. He has fought so many battles including grade 3 and 4 brain bleeds that lead him to have hydrocephalus, FIVE brain surgeries, a ventriculoperitoneal shunt placed, overcame meningitis TWICE, chronic lung disease, ROP, GERD, and a g-tube placed. He has shown us what true strength and determination look like time and time again. 

Colton is now 4 years old and doing what the doctors said he might not be able too or even expected him to be able to do with his medical history. We still have our follow ups through his neurosurgeon (once a year MRI of the brain), pulmonary, GI, speech/occupational therapist for his speech delay, and is followed by an NDD for his developmental delay. He is making amazing progress everyday and everyone including us are so proud of him. 

Despite all of his therapies (he loves going too!) he is running, jumping, talking, eating, walking, and all and all is such a happy kid. He does not let a thing phase him and wants to give everyone he comes by a “high five”. I am so glad I have been able to watch a miracle bloom right in front of my eyes, through the good, the bad, and the ugly. He is truly my hero. ”