MARCH FOR BABIES: A MOTHER OF A MOVEMENT™
March for Babies Tampa Bay
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George M. Steinbrenner Field
1 Steinbrenner Drive , Tampa, FL 33614
Date: Saturday, April 13, 2024 9:00 AM
1 Steinbrenner Drive , Tampa, FL 33614
Date: Saturday, April 13, 2024 9:00 AM
2024 Ambassador Family
The Tooker Family
The Tooker Family
The day Kayley was born was the worst day of our lives, but somehow the best day as well. Kayley was a full term baby at 39 weeks and 6 days. The day she was born was nothing like we had ever imagined. Working overnight as a nursery nurse, I came home only to find myself rushing back to the hospital a few hours later. When we arrived at the hospital I was in active labor and almost completely dilated.
Most newborns take their first breath within a few minutes of birth. Kayley never did. I knew she did not have a heartbeat and I knew there was a team doing everything they could to save this small baby. I still remember the moment so clearly when I was told I had a daughter. I also knew in that moment she was going to be okay. And after what I call a miracle, my team was able to get her heartbeat back and she was rushed to the NICU to be flown to Johns Hopkins All Childrens Hospital.
However, I started to have my own complications and developed HELLP syndrome. I wasn’t able to leave the hospital I had delivered her in and it wasn’t until she was 4 days old I would be able to be at her bedside. Kayley was diagnosed with HIE. Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is a type of brain damage that is caused by lack of oxygen to the brain before or shortly after birth. HIE can range from mild to severe, and can not be fully diagnosed within the first week of life. When she was 9 days old, Kayley had her long-awaited MRI. After the MRI everything seemed to turn around. We were told the results were completely clear, with no evidence of abnormalities noted. Each day she started to improve and hit milestones, and one day we were told that tomorrow was going to be our day. After almost 4 weeks of being in the NICU, Kayley would be coming home.
These days, Kayla is a healthy, happy 3-year-old little girl. She has the most incredible drive for life. Everyday her dad and I thank God for our miracle baby. We’ve grown so much during this journey and though it was the hardest season of our lives, we are thankful for everything and everyone who has helped us get here today. We hope our story can help a family one day that may be going through a hard time or a similar experience, and to remind them that even when they feel there is no hope, there is ALWAYS hope to be had.
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