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NEWBORN CENTER
Delivered at 27 weeks
Michaline had to wait an agonizing two weeks before she could hold her newborn son, Christopher Alan, in her arms.
Making his debut into the world at just 27 weeks – about three months too soon – baby Chris was immediately transferred to
Texas Children’s Neonatal
Intensive Care Unit (NICU) where he was diagnosed with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH),
or bleeding inside or around the ventricles in the spaces in the brain containing the cerebral spinal fluid.
To make matters worse, Chris’ organs were underdeveloped.
“His chances for survival were slim, but the doctors and nurses at Texas Children’s were positive and professional,” said Michaline, Chris’ mother.
Chris remained in Texas Children’s
NICU for the next three months.
“We lived in Victoria, and I had to return to work after six weeks,” his mother recalled. “The NICU nurses were the ones who provided daily comfort to my baby and served as my communication link.”
Texas Children's nurses
took Polaroid photos of Chris’ progress and decorated his area in the unit. They also stood in for the
Chris' parents when the doctors made rounds. But what most impressed Michaline was Texas Children’s willingness to communicate in such an upbeat and positive professional manner.
Following training on how to care for their small son, including instruction in CPR and infant care, the
proud parents took their baby home to Victoria with medication and returned for periodic follow-up visits.
Today, Chris is a healthy teenager. He plays football, runs in the Texas Children’s Fun Run and the YMCA Turkey Run each year and plans to try out for track.
He’s active in the Boy Scouts, where is serves as a patrol leader, and plays the euphonium baritone in the school band.
Chris and his 12-year-old sister, Megan, recently learned how to scuba dive and both passed scuba certification tests. They enjoy diving in Mexico with their father.
“If it were not for Texas Children’s Hospital, Chris would not be here leading a normal life,” said Michaline.
Chris has big plans for his future. He wants to be an engineer when he grows up, like his father, so that he too can travel the world. Or, he may join the Air Force or become a Navy seal.
One thing is sure: Chris can be anything he wants to be.
Learn more about:
Kids Courageous home |
Newborn Center
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