MARCH FOR BABIES: A MOTHER OF A MOVEMENT™
Las Vegas
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Virtual
1600 Wigwam Pkwy , Henderson, NV 89074
Date: Saturday, April 21, 2018 9:00 AM
1600 Wigwam Pkwy , Henderson, NV 89074
Date: Saturday, April 21, 2018 9:00 AM
Our ambassador
Family
Family
Declan Efros was scheduled to arrive the week of Thanksgiving. One day in early November, mom Rachel became concerned when she didn’t feel the baby move or kick. Rachel and her husband Ryan rushed to the hospital and were told that the baby wasn’t getting enough oxygen. Declan was born just 30 minutes later.
Declan didn’t breathe for the first eight minutes of his life. Fortunately, the doctors and nurses were able to get air into his tiny lungs with the help of medical equipment. Declan had so many IVs and tubes attached to him that Rachel and Ryan were unable to hold him or hear his first cry for one excruciating, exhausting week. Once Declan was able to breathe unassisted, he remained on oxygen for several weeks.
Declan’s two month stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) was a bumpy one. Just as one challenge resolved, another arose. He had problems with his respiratory system, digestive tract and liver. At one point he was quarantined for a few weeks with a rare virus.
Eventually, Declan was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that causes a thick, sticky buildup of mucus in the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. Declan required special breathing treatments to keep his lungs clear and enzymes to help absorb nutrients. He also needed to have a feeding tube surgically placed before being discharged from the NICU.
Despite all the challenges, Declan smiles through his hours of breathing treatments and hands-on care. He constantly teaches his parents that joy can be found amid some of life’s greatest challenges.
The March of Dimes provided comfort and support to the family throughout Declan’s time in the NICU. Rachel adds, “This wonderful organization showed us that we are not alone. They organized opportunities for us to connect with other families coping with similar challenges. They arranged for meals in the NICU and event gave us a holiday gift basket.”
Rachel and Ryan are also grateful for the 15 doctors monitoring his progress and appreciate nurses everywhere – especially those that come to their home on a regular basis. Sweet Declan has special flirtatious smile reserved just for them!
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