Miracle Kids

Jailen

Jailen had a rough start in life but he's making up for lost time. In just a few short months, the pint-sized preemie has become a hero to his parents and an inspiration to those taking care of him in Scott & White's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit  (NICU) and special care nursery.

Jailen was born March 20 of this year, during his mother Tammy's 22nd week of pregnancy. It was touch-and-go from the beginning, given an estimated chance of survival at less than 25 percent. But the tiny baby, weighing just over a pound at birth, had a lot of things going for him. Tammy had been healthy during her pregnancy and the baby had a strong will to survive. His family was supportive, optimistic and full of faith.

Perhaps most significant, Jailen received care at The Children's Hospital at Scott & White in Temple, where the hospital's NICU is ranked among the top 3 percent worldwide in the survival rate of fragile newborns. There, Jailen was cared for and adored by a professional team of physicians, nurses and therapists. According to the baby's father, that team made a winning difference in Jailen's outcome.

"Few people gave us much hope, except for Dr. Cipriani (Scott & White neonatologist Cheryl Cipriani). She said if Jailen came in fighting, she would fight with him and for him," Colton, Jailen's father, says, "and they both fought hard. Jailen is my hero and Dr. Cipriani is our angel."

Colton also praises the nursing staff in the NICU and special care nursery. Without them, he says, Jailen might not have made it. He also is grateful to Children's Miracle Network at Scott & White (CMN) for providing equipment that helped save his son's life.

Like most premature infants, Jailen's lungs were not developed and he required treatment with a high-frequency ventilator purchased with funds raised by CMN. The organization also provides educational materials for parents whose children are in the special care nursery.

NICU nurse, Debra White said, "Jailen was a fighter from the start. This tiny infant stepped into the hearts of all of us here at Scott & White and his survival shows that miracles do happen." She adds, "Being a part of Jailen's life was a defining moment for me as a NICU nurse."

Jailen spent a little over four months at Scott & White and went home right on schedule with his full-term birthdate. Colton says having their son in a world-class NICU gave them a sense of relief. "It put us at ease knowing the staff knows what they're doing and they actually love their job."

If you would like to make a difference in the life of a child like Jailen, please consider becoming involved with CMN. CMN can be reached at 254-724-5332.

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