Madelyn and Gabe Heredia’s journey with their son, Teddy, has been nothing short of miraculous. Born three months prematurely, Teddy’s arrival brought unexpected challenges and a rollercoaster of emotions. Yet, amidst the uncertainty, the Heredia family now finds themselves nearing the end of the tunnel, with Teddy soon to join them at home.
Madelyn and Gabe Heredia with baby Teddy
Their story began with a routine appointment last September, where the couple received distressing news: Teddy was diagnosed with intrauterine growth restriction, a condition where a baby’s growth is severely limited inside the womb. Facing daunting odds and the looming threat of complications, Madelyn and Gabe prepared for the worst.
Teddy entered the world at Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel last November, a tiny bundle weighing just 14 ounces, with a mere 10% chance of survival at 27 weeks.
Madelyn recalls the fragility of her newborn son, hooked up to various machines and utterly dependent on medical support.
The Heredias juggled their time between the hospital and caring for their two other children at home, navigating the emotional rollercoaster of hope and despair. Teddy’s early days were fraught with infections and pneumonia, each hurdle testing the family’s resilience.
However, a ray of hope emerged on New Year’s Day, as a single steroid shot, betamethasone, gave new life into Teddy’s fragile lungs. Madelyn credits this intervention with potentially saving Teddy’s life, marking a pivotal turning point in his journey towards health.
“That’s what got his lungs able to do anything,” she said.
While Teddy continues to rely on respiratory support and faces the challenge of avoiding germs in his early years, the prognosis is bright. The Heredia family eagerly anticipates the day when they can bring their little warrior home, expected to lead a full and healthy life despite his rocky start.
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