Smiling through the Fight, Dior’s Story

Smiling

We’ve all heard that “attitude is everything.” In an extremely difficult place like the NICU, it can be really hard to remain positive and hopeful all the time. Just smiling can require great effort on the part of a parent that is so worried and scared for their baby.

However, as the mother of today’s micro preemie points out, we are their support system. We need to keep hoping, praying, and advocating for our babies no matter what.

Preemies are very strong, but it always helps to have someone to lean on and count on. Even though the babies are so small and young, they can sense you and how you’re feeling.

Today’s micro preemie and her mother are both so strong. They went through a lot during their NICU stay, but you will see that they both had such a positive attitude through the entire thing. Please meet Dior, as told by her mother Jessyca.

Dior

1.Tell us about your baby.

My daughter’s name is Dior Annalise. She was born on May 30, 2016 at 27 weeks 6 days. She weighed 2 pounds 2 oz and was 14 inches long.

2.How long was your NICU stay? What was the hardest part?

Our NICU stay was 86 days long. She caught MRSA, Meningitis twice, and Late onset Group B staph. Strangely, well coincidentally, she got sick on the 20th of each month.

She has glaucoma, so she has had three corrective procedures. Two took place during her NICU stay.

We went through so much at the hospital. So many prayers were said, and there were so many restless nights, but it’s all been so worth it. She’s so strong. No matter what, she’s always been smiling or laughing.

In fact, when I pushed her out, I was freaking out because I couldn’t hear her crying.  The doctor told me it was because she was smiling.

3.Do you know what caused your premature birth?

This was my first pregnancy. I went in for some minor back pains at 1 am and they sent me home by 5am. They said everything look fine. I had a small bruise on my placenta, but that was it.

By 10:45 am, I was on my way back to the Er because I was having the worse pains of my life. As I was riding in the car, I was uncontrollably pushing.

As soon as I got to labor and delivery, they hooked me up. My contractions were 45 seconds apart. I was fully dilated and in 2 pushes, I had my beautiful baby girl.

4.How are you and your baby now?

My view on life has completely changed. Watching my daughter fight to live was the most heart wrenching, empowering thing I have ever witnessed. Preemies are so incredibly strong.

To now have an almost 6 month old, who’s still laughing and smiling and growing every single day, is amazing. She will be 3 months corrected, and she recognizes people. She’s trying really hard to sit up and is almost there.

We take it day by day, and hour by hour.

5.What advice would you give new preemie parents?

Advice is hard because all of our stories are so different. The only thing I will say, is remember they are the ones fighting this battle. We are their support team.

Stay positive even through the bad times because our hope gives them a reason to keep fighting!

Ask a ton of questions. Ask, ask, ask. Because in this situation the only thing we can do is support and comfort. Being knowledgeable in what is going on with your child could help you cope.

Take tons of pictures because right now you may not think you’ll miss them being able to literally fit in your hand, but you will.

So much great advice from Jessyca. I still wish I would have taken more pictures in the NICU.

Please leave any supportive comments for Jessyca and Dior below.