Lucas was born on November 8th, 2022, at 9:20pm. Shortly after the doctor raised him up and us getting our first glimpse of him, he was rushed to the NICU. Shortly later we heard "cardiac arrest in the NICU" over a loudspeaker. Looking at my husband and saying, "what the hell is happening?", the midwife was assuring me that everything was okay; ‘He was crying and breathing …,’ she even showed me a photo of our little guy. We were in recovery waiting to see him, but it was taking longer than expected, so we were taken to a hospital room and told we could go down to NICU in a little bit.
Shortly before midnight, we first saw Lucas. We were able to touch him and let him know his name. ‘Lucas’. He was hooked to a lot of wires and a ventilator, but nothing really clicked yet.
Several hours later, we were woken up with the news that he needed more advance care than this hospital could provide. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was top of the doctor's list and mine too. Diagnosed with Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS) after inhaling meconium during delivery. It got into his lungs, and his lungs were severely damaged.
At 6am, we made the trip back to the NICU to see him and meet the Helicopter team from CHOP, but they were not there yet due to "a malfunction" with the helicopter"---- something you do not want to hear after the doctors just told us your newborn baby needs to get to CHOP ASAP. By 9am, CHOP was on their way.
Noon time, we headed back to the NICU and met Dr. Peebles and team that were transferring Lucas to their equipment and trying to get him stable enough to make the trip via helicopter. Three hours later they were on their way. My husband shortly behind them and me awaiting the approval to walk out of the hospital less than 20 hours after having a C-section.
Lucas was put on ECMO for his lungs to heal. He remained on a ventilator and cooling blankets for 3 days, then another day and half to reach normal temperature. He was on ECMO for total of 8 days before it was successfully removed.
After off ECMO- we were able to do an MRI to see if there was any brain injury due to lack of oxygen at the time of delivery. Results are Mild to non-Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE).
The ventilator was then removed, shortly after being taken off ECMO, but his lungs were not strong enough and his right lung collapsed. He had to be reintubated for another several days.
After 45 days in the hospital, Lucas was discharged, and we were ALL home in time for the holidays.
Since Lucas has been home, he is thriving. He is a super happy baby; always smiling and laughing. He is now 5 months old, rolling over and sitting up on his own and stands with our assistance. We picked the perfect name for him; Lucas (bringer of light) because he has brought so much light and joy to our family and our hearts.
We walk for babies like Lucas.
