Our sextuplets were born on August 4, 2009 at 22 6/7 weeks. They were born 17 weeks early and due to their extreme prematurity, we sadly lost 4 of them. Read below about each of our precious children.
Baby A: Haley Karin was born at 7:30 pm and weighed 1 lb 1.02 oz and was 10 3/4 inches. She is a survivor and has beat many odds despite her very early arrival. Haley did have a mild to moderate grade 4 brain bleed at birth, but despite that she doesn’t have cerebral palsy. Haley is strong, active and has a go-getter personality. Haley unfortunately does have issues with her eyes. She is blind due to stage 5 ROP (retinopathy of prematurity) with one retina totally detached. Haley does have a very small amount of vision in her right eye. I don’t think Haley will let her visual impairment stop her from living a full happy life.
Baby B: Braden Thomas was born at 7:30 pm and weighed 1 lb 1.01 oz and was 11 inches. Braden lived for 2 weeks He passed away on August 19, 2009 due to an infection in his lungs.
Baby C: Dallin Cory was born at 7:31 pm and weighed 13 oz and was 10 1/4 inches. Dallin lived for 2 days. He passed away on August 6, 2009 due to extremely premature damaged lungs.
Baby D: Ashlyn Louise was born at 7:31 pm and weighed 12 oz and was 10 inches. Ashlyn was our smallest baby. She lived for 2 months. She passed away on October 11, 2009 due to kidney failure. For being so small, she had a fighting spirit.
Baby E: Rachel Diane was born at 7:31 pm and weighed 1 lb 1.2 oz and was 11 inches. Rachel was our largest baby. Rachel is a survivor and is doing well despite her early arrival as well. Rachel does have some challenges due to her extreme prematurity. Rachel had a grade 1 head bleed, but has no effects from that. Rachel has tracheomalacia and a paralyzed vocal cord. Her tracheomalacia has gone away, but the paralyzed vocal cord is permanent. You couldn’t tell she has a paralyzed vocal cord when she is verbal. She can be loud. Rachel also had severe reflux and due to that she got a fundo and g-tube. Due to all the above, she was not able to eat by mouth for 3 months since she was aspirating into her lungs. Now her swallowing is good, but she has oral aversion and therefore gets all her nutrition/food through her g-tube. She will get through her challenges with time and therapy. Rachel is a very happy, smiley baby.
Baby F: Kaitlyn Amanda was born at 7:32pm and weighed 14 oz and was 10 3/4 inches. Kaitlyn passed away on August 8, 2009 due to extremely premature damaged lungs.
