kitten86er
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My son was born at 25 weeks gestation for no apparent reason. He weighed 1 pound, 12 oz and had a disease called Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC). His intestines were dying. He had his first surgery at 2 days old. They cut open his stomach to try and fix him.
Meanwhile, he couldn't eat. He was TPN dependent. In the US, TPN is soy based and very hard on the liver. He was diagnosed with liver failure, rickets, and didn't have a long life expectancy.
This kid had so many surgeries, but always had a smile.
He was always driving the medical staff crazy.
They didn't expect him to walk, talk, eat, or learn. He's had 32 surgeries everywhere from his eyes to his knees. He's had complete cardiac arrest more times than I care to think about.
He is now 4. He cannot speak as a normal 4 y/o, but he comprehends everything.
He is such a smart boy and I couldn't be prouder of him.
Cat tax, this is Oliver.
cinematicheart
Your son is beautiful. May he prove everyone wrong.
ZoidbergIsGreat
My daughter was born at 26 weeks. It has been a long road. Still another month of NICU to go. Glad your boy made it.
PastaSatan
I'm glad your son turned out okay. My advisor for my chem major just went into labor last week, wasn't due until March. It's a scary thing.
Dogwater
Children who grow up with challenges become the strongest adults.
BridgetBird
Adorable baby boy you have. That kitten needs a bow tie
SaiChiMagic
Yay for your little fighter! And that cute ass cat...I love kids and cats
billiminator
This needed no cat tax.
shabado0
I had rickets as a child and grew up just fine so I know he'll be able to get through this too!
docweird
What a fighter, OP! Have a merry [your choice of holiday here]! :D
kitten86er
Indeed. Merry holiday to you, as well.
DrWhoodles
Does he have a tablet to use for communication? Those things can be wonders for some kids.
kitten86er
He does! In fact our local Elks bought him one. It's a bit beat up now, but it keeps turning on, so we're gonna keep using it.
ArcadeZero
Thought this was going to be sad, so glad I was wrong!
NuriInuki
I still cried :(
kitten86er
Aww I'm sorry. No more cutting onions today.
NuriInuki
It's great to hear the little guy is doing well. I hope he's fine the rest of his life as he's been through enough. Just as hard on you too.
afx82
And here i am complaining about a common cold.. Kid's tougher than me and i've been in the swedish marine corps.
kitten86er
That's pretty damned tough, too.
Lexidh
Oh dear, you named your orange kitten Oliver. I did the same 11+ years ago. It was a mistake. He IS a Garfield. Hope you have better luck ;P
kitten86er
I wanted to name him Soul (because gingers don't have one). My husband (a ginger) was offended. So, he picked Oliver.
Lexidh
haha!
kingoftacos
hooray! life!
yuyufan43
That smile in the third picture made me smile and I don't smile much.
LoneWanderer101
Rooting for this kid, hope he beats all of the doctors expectations!
kitten86er
So far, so good! They never expected him to get this far.
fieldshimself
When you kept saying was I was ready for a waterworks ending. Then I saw the last picture and I was relieved. Glad he's doing good!
kitten86er
Thank you. He was touch and go there for awhile, but he's doing amazing. He's such a good kid.
Sturdycrotch
I work at a hospital and I shudder to know what some of the medical bills of extended stay / frequent flyer kids like this one are like
kitten86er
Luckily insurance and the hospital has charity services. We lucked out massively. We still pay his med bills but it could be worse...
Sturdycrotch
Damn that's awesome, glad to hear you guys found solutions to the financial aspect to treating all this!
killlatwix
You didn't need the cat tax.
LavenderMage
We preemies are strong. He is so handsome :D. I was 20 weeks early. 1Lbs 8oz. heart surgery at 3 days old, 29 years later.
whodathunkit
I was suppose to be born end of December, was born September 22nd instead (due date was December 27th), I am 29 now :D
kitten86er
I so love hearing success stories from past preemies. It sometimes is the only thing keeping me from worrying myself to death.
thenamesmallory
Had my daughter at 25 weeks. She's been in the hospital for the 1st 4 months of her life. Still fighting. I also love to hear success storie
LavenderMage
Keep strong mom and dad, What MuffinstuffsnButternuts said. Wait until he starts driving and brings home a girlfriend.
kitten86er
Ugh... I don't wanna think about girlfriends!
LavenderMage
Me either, my eldest is 8 and told me once he had a GF.
HeartShappedBox
Just hope the best for your son.
punkenhead
He is a very dapper lad.
jxhnjohn
This was beautiful
BlackberryCobbler
If you're American, this must have been financially crippling, no? He's a handsome little guy...
kitten86er
Yeah... Medical bills for liiiiife. But, not as bad as it could of been. Before insurance, he had over $5 million USD. He's well worth it.
BlackberryCobbler
Worth it every time he smiles... but as a Canadian i can't even begin to imagine...
iwillalwaysupvotecanada
Have you done fundraisers?
kitten86er
I considered out, but no.
kitten86er
I considered out, but no.
iwillalwaysupvotecanada
Well, we are here for you if you'd like to do that.
kitten86er
Thank you. I feel awkward about asking for money.
HappyTheKangaroo
My daughter had delayed speech due to seizures. It wasn't until she was three that she asked me if I was the one who panted a painting on(2)
SummerGuineaPig
Cutie with a bow tie +1!
kitten86er
He was Dr Who that day :p
dthvn
I was wondering if he was supposed to look like Matt Smith. The only thing he lacked was a fez. Please buy him a fez, fezzes are cool now :D
kitten86er
I'll try. Most of his clothes are second hand and fezes are hard to find second hand :p
lildeidei
He is adorable! :)
JohnnyMorphine
my best friend was born at 24 weeks, when she got out the hospital her mom took her to a wrestling 1/?
JohnnyMorphine
event, WWF(at the time) Ric Flair thought she was a doll and was so taken by the cute tiny baby he 2/3
JohnnyMorphine
basically kidnapped her and took her all through the locker rooms.
ImgurSkank
1 The little boy I've nannied for 4 years was a micro preemie with a similar medical situation. He was very delayed at 4 y/o as well. He
ImgurSkank
2 just turned 7 and with the help of weekly occupation and speech therapy has met if not exceeded every developmental milestone. Posting in
[deleted]
[deleted]
kitten86er
L is in speech, occupational, and physical therapies. I bet he catches up, someday. Even if he doesn't, I don't care. He's already amazing.
PastaSatan
My boyfriend's nephews were both super premature - Sully talks better than I did at his age (2) and Bo has improved leaps and bounds 1/2
PastaSatan
since I first met him 2 years ago - he couldn't even make all the sounds to sound out my name, now he's forming full sentences. 2/3
PastaSatan
So I think you're right on that one - I bet he will catch up. And even if he doesn't, he'll still be just peachy :)
Snotty128
I'm so glad for you. Thanks for posting! My mrs just went to the hospital with spotting at 25 weeks, looks like we will be ok this time
Galamedes
For my wife, they told her to quit doing "anything" physical including picking up around the house. Keep her off of her feet for a while.
bostwickenator
Yeah I can't emphasise how much you should do this. Every extra week is months less time catching back up.
kittytoes
I spotted off and on my entire pregnancy... Put on bed rest. He's 2 now and healthy as an ox.
gingersrule
I had spotting each time with my 4 at 25 weeks. Everything was fine each time so good luck to you both.
darcialarosa
Mine were born at 29w. If I had a do over, I would have done less...it's MUCH more important that she rest, so offer to rub her feet.
chickenburrito01
My son was a 25 weeker. 2lbs 1oz. He just turned 14, straight As on his last report card and doesn't know he's getting Fallout 4 for xmas.
BecauseTheStatusIsNotQuo
Currently at 23 weeks and paranoid! This gives me comfort. My coworker just had an early miscarriage and it kills me to imagine :(
Maltafea
I was born at 24 weeks.Lungs weren't developed properly,doctors said I wouldn't make it through the night.Im 26 now and healthy
kitten86er
I spotted a couple times before L was born. They said, "spotting is normal." Yeah... Evidently not.
kitten86er
I guess what I'm saying is, go with your gut and advocate. I wish I did.
SusanGoGetMyPants
My friend was told the same thing. No heartbeat at her last appt before she was suppose to get induced. :( :( :( :( :(
kitten86er
That's terrible. I'm so sorry.
SusanGoGetMyPants
It happened 9 years ago but she is still deeply missed by a lot of people.
sexuallyadventuroushaberdasher
Time to guess the L name! Leroy, La-a, Lucas, Lou Ferigno, Lavion, Luke Skywalker, Lenny, Leopold, Labamba, Luthor, Laffy taffy, Linda, Lou.
kitten86er
Here's a dead give-a-way hint: we named him after one of Wolverine's names
ShowMeTheNugget
Oh my gosh... I'm so glad your son is doing okay! As someone who wants to have kids someday, I can't even imagine...
kitten86er
You never know how strong you can be until you have no choice.
ShowMeTheNugget
Bless you, OP.
PoppinLochNessHopster
You had a choice, and you didn't even consider it. Good for you.
kitten86er
The first time he went into cardiac arrest was when the RNs decided I needed the DNAR talk... As he was coding. I literally walked past and
kitten86er
started CPR on him myself.
Kinkyfuck
Jesus fuck, just stumbled across this, hope everything is still good
IProvideFakeContext
Damn OP. Mind if I quote you on that? Thats the best thing Ive heard in a while.
kitten86er
*^.^* sure
ReallyRonSwanson
Pst... quote it as Bob Marley. ;)
IProvideFakeContext
Plz, let me dream.
kitten86er
Was it Bob Marley? It was written on his incubator by my mom and I didn't know if she thought of it ought found it.
kitten86er
Was it Bob Marley? It was written on his incubator by my mom and I didn't know if she thought of it or found it.