$270.00

At 20 weeks pregnant, we were told there was something wrong with our baby’s intestines. Having to be referred to a new doctor and about to leave on vacation for 2 weeks, we were terrified. Amazing doctors got us in under emergency, and after many hours of ultrasounds, determined our baby would be born with a Duodenal Atresia. For the next 20 weeks, we prepared ourselves for a long NICU stay. 

Fast forward to May 30, Leni was born (and I was still able to have the natural birth I wanted!) and I got to hold her for 7 minutes before she was taken away by our amazing NICU team. There were 18 people in the room during delivery, preparing for a lot of unknowns. On June 1, she had major surgery with Dr. Arca, who was a blessing during the whole process, even handling us asking every day ‘when can we bring her home!?’ And ‘when can she have milk?!’ ‘Can she have just a drop of milk today?!’ She could not have any milk for her first week of life.

From the beginning, we were told our NICU stay would be a minimum of 1 month. 13 days after surgery, we got a call saying we would be bringing Leni home that day!

There were so many nights that were so difficult to leave her while we went home. Several nurses in the Teal hallway made our time spent there as good as it could be, and we will remember their names for a long time!

We are doing this walk in support of our daughter Leni, the Pediatric surgery department and the NICU!