Lexi was born at only 25 weeks gestation weighing only 500grams (1lb1.8oz)(Due to hellp syndrome). She spent 109 days fighting in the NICU. On the day we finally got to bring her home(10 days after her actual due date weighing 7lbs11oz) , we decided to suprise her big brother. It was a day we will never forget !


Here's her full story:)
After the loss of a pregnancy in 2011 we were very happily surprised to find out that we were expecting. At the time, my husband was away working in another province so my son (3) and I decided we would surprise daddy when he came home for a quick visit! At the airport my son greeted daddy with a t-shirt that said "I MISSED YOU DADDY, GUESS WHAT" (front) “I’M GOING TO BE A BIG BROTHER"(back). He was very surprised! Unfortunately due to an injury, his 3 month of work turned into over 5 and he didn't get home until late October 2012.

I had been feeling unwell but I just chalked it up to the fact I was home myself taking care of a 3 year old, 2 dogs, the house and maintenance as well as working full time. My doctor had suggested he could take me off work but it being the busiest months at work I said I would try to stick it out a while longer!
On November 22nd, on lunch break I decided to use a portable blood pressure tester to see how mine was as I was feeling a little puffy. The monitor read 168/98 and on the advice of my doctor I headed to the Hospital. After being given I.V fluids I was sent home for a few days to chart my blood pressure. It continued to slowly rise.

On November 26th, at 25 weeks into my pregnancy, I was admitted to the hospital for what I thought was going to be my home for the next 3.5 months. I was put on labatelol to keep my blood pressure down and also given a 24/hr urine test and blood draws frequently. They had also done ultrasounds and informed me that my baby was measuring more then 3 weeks behind and had severe IUGR. I was given 2 rounds of steroids injections as “precautionary measures”. By Thursday night I started feeling nauseous and having pain in my right shoulder and chest area. (I wanted to believe it was the McDonalds my father-in-law brought me to eat that night)
Friday morning I was told to contact my husband and family immediately. They would be putting me on 4 hours of magnesium and then expected to take me in for a c-section. The original plan was for me to stay awake, but again things did not go as planned.
2 hours into my magnesium I was told they need to deliver the baby ASAP as my condition was deteriorating. I had developed SEVERE HELLP SYNDROME and the only way to save myself and my baby was an immediate emergency c-section. I was terrified!

My daughter came into this world on November 30th 2012 weighing 500grams (1lb1.8oz's) and was 29cm long. She was intubated at 7 mins of life. The next day or so was a real blurr, due to the magnesium and morphine they had me on. I got wheeled through to see my tiny daughter but barely remember. Being in the mommy and baby unit without my baby was torture.
Alexis Lily (LEXI) spent the next 109 days in the NICU. She battled CLD, pneumonia, suspected sepsis, stage 2 ROP, multiple infections, reflux, anemia and pulmonary hypertension to name a few. On March 19th 2013, 10 days after her due date, we finally got to bring our precious miracle home. Lexi now weighed 7lb11oz and was oxygen and monitor free!!
It was amazing to finally have our family together at home but the fear of having to return to the hospital was always in the back of our minds and sometimes we forgot to take time relax and enjoy life. I spent a lot of time pumping milk for her (16months) and loved watching how proud her big brother Ashton was!

We had numerous appointments with specialist for Alexis and she continued to prove everyone wrong by hitting milestones closer to her actual age rather than adjusted! At 1 year she was cleared of ROP, her PDA had finally closed, she was eating solids and WALKING! It was also around the one year mark when I was finally diagnosed with PTSD. Even though it is still something I battle, I continue to share my daughter’s story in hopes to inspire other parents of itty bitty babies. Miracles happen every day and my little Lexi is living proof!
"dont' give up, I believe in you all, a person's a person, no matter how small" ~Dr.Suess