MEET COLE: NOVEMBER 22, 2024
Cole was born 9 weeks premature due to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and spent 41 days in the NICU to receive critical care that helped him grow and thrive. Cole arrived, weighing just 2 lbs. 6 oz. He was immediately taken to the NICU, where he spent the next 41 days learning to breathe, eat, gain weight, and regulate his body temperature. During this time, Cole faced challenges such as jaundice, low platelet counts, and failure to thrive. Not only was Cole given specialized care to keep him alive, but our entire family received support from the hospital and child life services. The hospital staff did more than just care for Cole; they also cared for us.
Since leaving the NICU, Cole has undergone two surgeries and received physical and occupational therapy for the first 2.5 years of his life, speech therapy for three years, and nutritionist support. It's been a long journey filled with therapies, appointments, and surgeries, but the children's hospital has made it as smooth and comforting as possible. They nurtured him through every obstacle and showed us incredible compassion, ultimately helping Cole grow into the spunky, inquisitive, funny, and loving boy he is—now at seven years old!
