My Little Fighter

"My daughter was born extremely premature at just 27 weeks and 1 day. She spent 137 days in the NICU, fighting through a series of serious complications: neonatal sepsis with hyperleukocytosis, BPD, PDA, CLD, congenital CMV infection, NEC Stage 1, prolonged jaundice (suspected biliary atresia), and a premature gut (suspected Hirschsprung’s disease). Miraculously, every single challenge was resolved by the time she graduated from the NICU.

It was one of the scariest moments of my life when the doctors and nurses whisked her away from me right after my vaginal delivery. I barely had a second to hold her before she was rushed off to the NICU. The fear that gripped my heart in that moment is unforgettable. First came the sadness, then a wave of emotional numbness that took over just so I could keep functioning.

You can never truly understand the reality of NICU life until you’ve walked that road yourself.

Watching my tiny daughter surrounded by tubes, wires, and machines—her delicate arms bruised from countless IVs—pulled at my heart in a way nothing else ever has.

NICU parents are real-life superheroes. There’s no break, no rest—just relentless love and strength. We spend our days traveling back and forth to the hospital, pumping milk, praying, and holding onto hope. We are strong, brave, and unshakable.

To all the NICU doctors, nurses, and staff: thank you. Your expertise, compassion, patience, and kindness will always be remembered. You held our hands through the darkest days and helped guide us toward the light.

NICU babies are the fiercest fighters. They show us what true strength, perseverance, and the power of faith and the human spirit look like.

And now against all odds my daughter Itzel Enya Tan is 2 years and 9 months old. Thriving. Smiling. Running. Laughing. Every day, she amazes me. I’ve always believed in you, my darling girl. You grow stronger and more extraordinary with every passing day. You are, and always will be, my miracle." NICU Mama, Isabel