Alanie Lettsome finally celebrates his success after surviving despite being born at 23 weeks.
He spent 5 months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Broward Health Medical Center in Florida. According to CBS, he weighed just over a pound when he was born. Alanie, who has gotten stronger, is now ready to return home to his parents in St. Thomas, Virginia Islands.
Graysel Stuart, his mother, told Good Morning America that she couldn’t believe it but was relieved.
“I was just overwhelmed with joy and just ready, ready to come back home to see my family so that he can also meet his family since I don’t really have any family members to come to see me. So, I was happy to bring him [here] to see them,” she said.
Broward Health
According to a Broward Health press statement, Stuart sought treatment at the hospital’s flagship site due to cervical incompetence, which put her at risk of premature birth. She was transported from an emergency room in St. Thomas and gave birth to Alanie three days later, in her 23rd week, in Fort Lauderdale. Her child was classified as a micropreemie.
Stuart claimed that she learned she had cervical incompetence while having an ultrasound to determine the gender of her baby. She went under the knife to correct the problem with her cervix, but the problem reappeared. Her medical team in St. Thomas then called Broward Health and was able to schedule her an appointment. “I left St. Thomas on Sunday and had Alanie on Wednesday,” she explained.
Courtesy of Graysel Stuart
According to CBS, despite spending days in intensive care, Baby Alanie did not have the normal difficulties associated with premature births, such as brain bleeding and digestive disorders. Alanie, who was born on November 30 weighing little over 1 pound, has now returned home at more over 9 pounds.
Stuart stated that she was depressed for a time, but that the medical staff at Broward supported and cared for her both physically and mentally while she awaited the return of her kid.She spent her time at the hospital participating in activities such as the NICU scrapbooking hour, where she documented Alanie’s journey, and socializing with other NICU parents.
Alanie’s father, Alvon Lettsome, stopped by once a month for a week while Stuart cared for their son full-time. The hospital staff grew to feel like family over time.
Broward Health
Dr. Johny Tryzmel, medical director of Broward Health’s NICU, stated that the odds of survival for extremely premature babies like Alanie varies, but is frequently less than 50%. Alanie’s odds of survival, he thought, were in the 30 percent level. He claims that the baby “beated the odds.”
Alanie is now at home, but he still needs to get injections for neutropenia, a disease in which the body does not create enough neutrophils, a type of white blood cell; the injections help to increase the amount. Stuart revealed that she keeps him at home more often to avoid infections.
All in all, Stuart stated that Alanie is “Very good now.” She added that he is a pretty cheerful baby who loves to laugh and smile, and is quite nosy. She also mentioned that she wanted her story to serve as a source of encouragement to other families going through her situation.
Courtesy of Graysel Stuart
“Don’t give up. This is not what you imagined for the baby to go through, for your pregnancy to go through. Just don’t give up. Have faith.”
To Alanie, she said “You’ve been through a lot, so I know you’re here for a reason. You’ve overcome every obstacle thrown at you, and I hope you know how special you are.”