During the visit, Isabella was unable to distinguish anything other than hand movement, and reported having a fever and light sensitivity for a week. Byron Lam, MD, an ophthalmologist at Bascom Palmer, found she had optic neuritis, or optic nerve swelling, in the right eye.

“You expect to go home with your baby. Then you don’t, and they tell you he was going to die. I couldn’t do anything at that point but cry. I felt all hope was lost,” Phipps said.

We got there so fast that I watched the helicopter land knowing my son was inside,” Matos said. “That was the last time I was behind the wheel of a car since.”

“The Women’s Hospital was the only place I would be able to stay close to my baby without having him taken away from me for any post-birth complications and surgeries,” Rodriguez said.

Mikey’s mom is writing a book about his experience and recovery, so other families going through similar circumstances feel less alone.

Due to his premature birth, Anthony was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. During his time in the NICU, Anthony underwent occupational and physical therapy in order to ensure his motor skills were developing, a major concern with pediatric cerebral palsy patients.

For now, the team’s hard work has paid off. Griffin went home on March 28 to spend more time with his family while he awaits his third operation, the Fontan procedure, which will be scheduled when he turns 3.

“The risk of a residual bone deformity would be greater without operating,” Dr. Black said.

Twins Percy and Princeton Mells, 6, were diagnosed with sickle cell disease during their newborn screening. Since that diagnosis, Jackson Health System has played a pivotal role in their growth and development.