March for Babies
Long Island
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Jones Beach State Park
1 Ocean Pkwy , Wantagh, NY 11793
Date: Sunday, May 15, 2022 10:00 AM
1 Ocean Pkwy , Wantagh, NY 11793
Date: Sunday, May 15, 2022 10:00 AM
AMBASSADOR FAMILY
Kareems Story
Kareems Story
On November 26, 2017, my life changed in a way I could have never imagined. I unexpectedly gave birth to my son home alone at 22 weeks pregnant. I woke up that morning with mild cramping. I jokingly told my boyfriend that I thought I was having contractions before he left for work. Unknowingly, it was true.
Leading up to the birth I knew something was wrong and I reached out to the doctor. I was told I had nothing to worry about and to rest. I advised my boyfriend to come home immediately after I started to feel an increase in the cramps I was experiencing.
Within 2 hours, after my doctor reassured me I had nothing to worry about, my water broke, and I immediately dialed 911. As I was speaking to the operator, I began to have an out-of-body experience. From above, I could vividly see the head of my baby. I must have glanced down numerous times before mentioning to the operator that little Kareem had entered the world. As instructed and unable to feel my hands, I pulled him all the way out as he lay on the couch unresponsive.
Weighing in at 1lb and 6oz, my son and I were transported to the nearest hospital. Hours later he was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital NICU.
He spent 6 months in the NICU where he received an extensive amount of care. Little Kareem was not born in a sterile environment and his skin was fragile and translucent. He was intubated for more than 3 months and developed chronic lung disease. He had a PDA ligation just 3 weeks after being born and received countless blood/platelet transfusions. He had a grade 4 brain bleed on both sides with excessive fluid and so much more. For months we didn’t know if little Kareem would survive; if he did, his quality of life would be unknown. He would potentially never be able to see, hear, talk, and/or walk.
Our eyes saw things we should have never seen, and our ears captured the sounds of things we should have never heard which scar me for life. But we watched our tiny baby develop into a healthy baby boy.
Our NICU journey was a true roller coaster ride. No day was the same. There were so many highs and lows, but with our faith in God, our family, and the wonderful NICU staff, we were able to persevere. Today, we are blessed to have a healthy, beautiful, resilient miracle 4 year old little boy who continues to thrive in life.
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