Go Team Aleck!

Two weeks ago, I told you about our friends Amy and Jeremy who helping the fight against premature births. I asked her to share their story. Here is what she wrote:

We are trying to find ways to prevent premature births! 1,349 babies are born each week just in Wisconsin, 151 are preterm, 94 are low birth weight, and 9 die before reaching their first birthday. With the money raised the March of Dimes is able to purchase incubators and new technology for the NICUs around the country. They have also been able to develop a drug called surfactant that helps preemie babies lungs develop and breathe easier, our son was on that.

It all began with our first son Micah, born at 22 weeks (on June 6, 2003) weighing 14 oz.(less than a pound). He was alive for an hour, but they couldn't do anything for him. His lungs were not developed. Had I been more persistent with the doctors when I was having different symptoms and went in, Micah may still be with us. The March of Dimes also gives out information about premature labor signs, which I wasn't aware of.

We are trying to get more attention out nationwide to prevent more Micahs. However, with our strong faith we feel that Micah led the way for our second son, Aleck born at 24 weeks (on December 6, 2004), weighing in at 1 lb. 10 oz. I had been put on bed rest due to my cervix shrinking and then was admitted to the hospital a week later to be put on drugs (magnesium sulfate, it was HORRIBLE) to prevent the birth.

Aleck was born 3 days later. I was given steroids to beef up his lungs and he was just on the brink of not being saved, until he let out a cry in the operating room, he was a c-section, my husband said the NICU doctors jumped and started saving him! He was on the vent to help him breathe for 63 days, he had a grade 4 brain bleed, the worst possible, however, not many side effects from it today, underwent intestinal surgery, has laser eye surgery to prevent blindness, was in the NICU for 4 months, and had to have a feeding tube put in because he had difficulties eating.

The first few hours of his birth he was given drops of food intravenously, DROPS. He was a fighter because he “extubated” himself (spit out the tube 7 times) and today is a feisty 3 year old who LOVES music, playing outside, Lightning McQueen, his family, his friends, and his little sister.

His sister, Linnea was born at 36 and a half weeks (on November 27, 2007) weighing in at 4 lb. 1 oz. She just had a small tube put in her nose to help her eat for a day or so. During her pregnancy I took shots of progesterone to prevent her from coming early and was also put on bed rest. She is a healthy 4 month old.

Go to www.marchforbabies.org/AleckMathew to see what you can help support! Your support will help prevent things like the above happen to future mommies and daddies around the country! A big thank you to anyone who donates to Team Aleck!