TYLER, Texas (KYTX) \u2013 A baby who was born weighing just 15 ounces went home after a six-month fight for her life.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was so scary, because the doctor was like, \u2018I can\u2019t hear the heartbeat. The baby\u2019s not measuring what she\u2019s supposed to measure,\u2019\u201d Labreshia Howard said.<\/p>\n
It is a terrifying comment for any mother to hear, and Addisyn weighed just 15 ounces when she was born, making her the tiniest baby ever cared for at UT Health East Texas.<\/p>\n
NICU Clinical Manager Bonnie Bearden said Addisyn was smaller than a can of Coke.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was her diaper when she was born, and it probably was actually too big for her when she was first born, because these only go to about a pound, and she was less than that,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The pregnancy was smooth until the 24-week checkup, just days after the gender reveal.<\/p>\n
Doctors admitted Howard, hoping to keep Addisyn growing in the womb as long as possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter the third day, they was like, \u2018OK, we\u2019re delivering.\u2019 It was just really scary, a very scary experience,\u201d Howard said.<\/p>\n
Addisyn was in the NICU for six months.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho wants to leave their baby at the hospital and just go home?\u201d Howard said.<\/p>\n
Addisyn\u2019s stay was the longest of any baby at UT Health East Texas. Nurses said she received around-the-clock, high-level care.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe started out on a ventilator, and we had to feed her through a feeding tube. She had special IV lines that we gave her nutrients through. But as she grew, we just continued to change her feedings, give her different types of feedings to help her continue to grow,\u201d Bearden said.<\/p>\n
Despite her size and challenges with development, feeding and respiratory support, Addisyn proved to be a strong fighter.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeeing her everyday was one of those amazing things where you got to see her milestones, almost like your own child,\u201d said Marcie Tunstall, director of nursing for women\u2019s and children\u2019s services.<\/p>\n
Howard said any parent in a similar situation should \u201chave patience, have faith.\u201d<\/p>\n
After a long journey, the hospital celebrated with a parade from the NICU all the way to the exit.<\/p>\n
\u201cI did not know that all the workers in the hospital, almost would be out in the hallway. It was so sweet,\u201d Howard said.<\/p>\n
It is a reminder that even the tiniest can have the biggest wins.<\/p>\n
\u201cMoms and dads that have babies in the NICU, you\u2019re also world champions in this battle,\u201d Bearden said.<\/p>\n
Howard said her daughter is a \u201clittle fighter.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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