Our journey with Callie started in a way no parent could have prepared for. On February 23, 2021, we attended a routine 20-week anatomy ultrasound, full of excitement to see our baby and to guess the gender. The experience was everything we hoped for — until the technician mentioned that something wasn’t right. She said the stomach was in the chest cavity, and though we tried to remain calm, I immediately knew that something was wrong.
The doctor’s face when she came into the room confirmed our fears. She explained that our baby might have Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH), a severe birth defect where the diaphragm fails to fully form, allowing organs like the stomach, intestines, and spleen to move into the chest. The news left us in shock, and we were advised to consider termination. But for us, it was never a choice. No matter how difficult the journey ahead seemed, we would fight for our baby, whatever the outcome.
Over the next few weeks, we went through a whirlwind of appointments with specialists, genetic testing, and ultrasounds, unsure of what our future held. The doctors gave us a range of possible outcomes, with survival rates varying, and the constant fear of whether our baby would survive was overwhelming.
We were told that if the condition was severe enough, our baby might not make it to birth, and if she did, the chances of survival would be slim. The uncertainty was unbearable, but we stayed hopeful, determined to give our little girl every chance.
When Callie was born on June 26, 2021, at 38 weeks and 6 days, we couldn’t have been more relieved to finally meet her. She weighed 6.6 pounds and cried when she was born. But the joy was short-lived as she was immediately intubated and transferred to the NICU for stabilization. Her fight for survival had begun, and though it was heartbreaking to see her surrounded by machines, we knew this was just the beginning of a long road ahead.
The first few days in the NICU were filled with uncertainty. Callie’s condition required immediate surgery to repair the hernia, but there were fears that her lungs might not be strong enough to handle the procedure. Despite the worry, the doctors decided to go ahead with the surgery, and on July 2, 2021, when Callie was just six days old, she underwent the procedure. It was a success, and though we were relieved, the road to recovery would be anything but easy.
For the next 18 days, Callie remained intubated, and every day was a battle. There were moments when we weren’t sure if she would make it, and the emotional toll on us as parents was immense. We couldn’t hold her, couldn’t comfort her in the way we wanted, and were left to wait in the sterile, isolating world of the NICU. But through it all, Callie’s fight never wavered. Each day she showed signs of improvement, and our hope began to grow.
On day 10, we finally got to hold our little girl for the first time. It was an overwhelming moment—one filled with both tears of joy and relief. Callie had made it through the toughest days, and we could finally feel like parents again.
She was extubated and switched to high-flow oxygen, which was a huge milestone for her. But Callie wasn’t done surprising us. She began receiving breastmilk through an NG tube, and even though it was a slow process, she started gaining weight and showing signs of progress.
But the road ahead was still full of obstacles. Callie struggled with oral feeds and eventually needed a g-tube placement. It felt like a setback, but we knew it was necessary to help her gain strength. The process of transitioning from a tube to oral feeds was slow, and it felt like every step forward came with two steps back.
But we celebrated every little victory, every ounce gained, every day without complications. Each improvement reminded us of how far Callie had come and how much she had already fought.
After 67 long days in the NICU, we finally received the news we had been waiting for. Callie was stable enough to go home. We had spent months worrying about her survival, and now, our baby girl was coming home. We were finally a family of four. Zoey, Callie’s older sister, was ecstatic to meet her baby sister, and it felt like the first real moment of peace we had experienced in months. It was a beautiful, emotional moment, and we savored it.
Life at home wasn’t without its challenges. Callie continued to see specialists and therapists, and the journey of recovery was far from over. But the constant visits to doctors, the therapies, and the routines of medical care became our new normal. We were so grateful for every moment, every laugh, every milestone, no matter how small. Callie’s resilience inspired us every day, and we knew that no matter what, we would continue to fight for her.
Looking back, we know how lucky we are to have our baby girl home with us. Callie’s survival against the odds has been nothing short of miraculous. The road ahead is still long, but we are filled with hope and determination. Callie’s story is one of strength, courage, and love, and we are beyond proud of her every day.
Her journey has been a reminder that nothing is guaranteed, and every moment is a gift. She is proof that with love, support, and determination, even the most difficult challenges can be overcome. Callie’s strength and courage continue to inspire us and everyone who meets her. Every day, we are grateful for the little things: her smile, her laughter, and the simple joy of watching her grow.
And so, our story continues, one day at a time, with love, hope, and endless gratitude.
