Tiny 24 Week Baby Released Home After 16 Months In Hospital

November is Prematurity Awareness Month, and the inspiring story of Greyson Butler showcases these little fighters and the dedicated medical teams who work around the clock. Born at just 24 weeks and weighing just more than a pound, Greyson’s chances of survival were 20-30%. But after 16 months in the care of Blythedale Children’s Hospital, he is finally heading home.

“When he was born I was afraid to hold him. He was so small, he was one pound, two ounces, he was a micro preemie,” Greyson’s father Jeffrey Butler said.

Greyson’s journey has been a challenging one. He was treated in five hospitals, underwent two surgeries, 15 blood transfusions, and battled five bouts of pneumonia. His mother, Monae Harper, has even written a book about the roller coaster of emotions they have experienced.

“A lot of sleepless nights, a lot of tears, a lot of prayers, a lot of cries. Overall, a lot of smiles because my son is here right now. He’s a miracle baby,” Monae told ABC7NY.

One of the concerns with premature babies is their neurological development, but doctors at Blythedale have reassured Greyson’s parents that this is not an issue for him. He is thriving and even has a million-dollar smile to prove it.

Now weighing 20 pounds, Greyson’s parents have been trained to operate the necessary machines for his ventilator and tracheostomy, allowing him to finally go home. Although he still has outpatient therapy ahead, his long-term prognosis is excellent.

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