 |
|
|
|
» Home \ Foundation \ Children's Miracle Network \ Miracle Kids \ Jessica
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
When I was an adolescent, I was diagnosed in Iowa City with adrenal hyperplasia and was told I would never have children. In March 2001, however, I learned that I was pregnant. My doctor referred me right away to Dr. Thomas Gross, medical director of maternal-fetal medicine at OSF Saint Francis in Peoria. Due to my past, I was considered a high-risk case.
I had a very difficult pregnancy. I was placed on bed rest at OSF Saint Francis on Aug. 24. Three days later, Jessica Lynn was born weighing 1 pound, 11-3/4 ounces, and measuring 13 inches long. She was immediately taken to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Children’s Hospital of Illinois at OSF Saint Francis. She was put on a respirator and all life support measures.
After 21 hours, her condition stabilized, and life support was removed. Twelve days later, however, she was back on the vent because there was blood in her stool, and her abdomen was distended. She was in critical condition.
Jessica’s intestines had perforated. She developed peritonitis and septicemia and was put on antibiotics and life support. She underwent a 3-1/2-hour surgery for an obstruction.
We almost lost her. It was minute by minute, not day by day.
We got the best Christmas present we could hope for when Jessica showed signs of improvement on Christmas Day. She was discharged a month later. She came home with a central line that we thought she would have to have for a year, but she was doing so well that it was removed in six weeks.
Jessica is doing great now. She is able to eat everything and is starting to walk around furniture.
During Jessica’s stay in the NICU, we met a very special nurse, Jodie DuBois. She took care of Jessica while she was very critical. She is the first one responsible for detecting a decline in Jessica’s condition back in October. Jodie is Jessica’s guardian angel. We became very close to her during the six months Jessica was on NICU. At Jessica’s first birthday party, we asked Jodie to be Jessica’s godmother. On March 3, Jessica was baptized, and her guardian angel officially became her godmother.
Every nurse and doctor who had any contact with Jessica was fantastic. There were a few that we felt a closer bond to. Many of them will always be special people in our hearts.
Jeannie
|
|
|
| Related Information |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Key Services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|