Emmie’s Journey: Miracles, Love and Resilience
“The nurses and doctors in the NICU were my village during our hardest times, and we still keep in touch. For their support, expertise and kindness, I am so grateful.”
– Chantelle, Emmie's mom
When Emmie’s embryo was successfully implanted, pure joy swept through her family. She was the answer to so many hopes and prayers — a miracle baby that was finally within reach. Chantelle, Emmie’s mom, was finally able to look ahead with an overwhelming sense of hope.
Chantelle would go through all the extra monitoring and screenings to ensure her and her baby’s health every step of the way. Those extra visits would often feel nerve-wracking, but at 28 weeks, they turned out to be lifesaving when Chantelle was diagnosed with preeclampsia and doctors discovered that Emmie’s growth was severely restricted.
An early cesarean section would save both Chantelle and Emmie, who was born on July 29 at 32 weeks' gestation. She entered the world weighing just 2 pounds, 6 ounces and measuring 14 inches long.
Emmie's sister visit her in the NICU
"When I realized that I would have to deliver my baby early, I felt so upset, like my body was failing her. We had tried for so long. And now this?” confided Chantelle. “But when a kind nurse explained how they could care for Emmie in ways my body couldn’t, I quickly realized that my body had actually acted like a protector for both me and my baby — Emmie survived because I gave birth early and that was amazing to me.”
Emmie was transferred to Valley Children’s Level IV NICU where she was diagnosed with multiple heart defects that caused her heart to be misaligned. This prevented Emmie’s blood from properly flowing through the circulatory system, and because Emmie was born prematurely, she would need to learn how to eat, grow and breathe on her own in order for her to be strong enough for heart repair surgery.
“I could see her belly pull so hard because her tiny body was working overtime to keep her going,” reflected Chantelle. “Simply breathing was so hard for her — so eating and breathing was like running a marathon, which is why growing was difficult for Emmie … and it just broke my heart.”
The journey was challenging, but Emmie finally made it to surgery on October 29. As Chantelle walked her daughter to the operating room, a NICU nurse held Chantelle’s hand, reassuring her that they were all in this together.
“I was truly blessed to have all the nurses in the NICU. The most special bond was with our primary nurse, who was by our side for all these months,” shared Chantelle. “Valley Children’s NICU team became my family. They were my support. And on Emmie’s surgery day, I felt so anxious and scared, but this team had become my people, and it brought me so much comfort to know I would have my village with me on this day. The NICU set me up with a breast pump and let me stay in Emmie’s bed space during surgery. They checked on me all day and would ask if I needed anything.”
The 9-hour surgery went as planned, and Emmie’s heart was repaired.
“It was hard to see Emmie with so many tubes and machines after surgery, so those first few days were very difficult,” added Chantelle. “But it was incredible how quickly she began to recover — my little girl finally started to grow, and it was clear that she was getting healthier.”
Emmie recovers after having heart surgery
Over the following weeks, Emmie began to thrive. With each day, her strength returned, and her ability to eat was always a focus as it gradually improved. And after more than four months in the NICU, and just about two weeks after heart surgery, Emmie was able to go home at last.
Emmie and mom Chantelle smile as Emmie graduates from the NICU and is discharged home
Emmie’s family celebrated every milestone, from her first successful breastfeeding session to her first steps.
“It was just amazing to me that Emmie was crawling at 8 months and then walking at 13 months just like my other daughter, and just like any other kid,” shared Chantelle. “The nurses and doctors in the NICU were my village during our hardest times, and we still keep in touch. For their support, expertise and kindness, I am so grateful.”
Today, at 5 years old, Emmie is a spirited kindergartner, filled with curiosity and imagination. She enjoys dance and gymnastics, and showing off her performances to her family. Emmie is truly the miracle baby they always dreamed of.
Emmie smiles with her family
More About Valley Children's NICUs
Valley Children’s has four NICUs in the Central Valley, including at Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera (the only level IV NICU in the entire region), Adventist Health in Hanford, Mercy Medical Center in Merced and Saint Agnes Medical Center in Fresno. Valley Children’s is also a Magnet®-recognized organization demonstrating excellence in nursing practice and quality patient care. Our expert transport team provides nearly 800 neonatal transports a year, delivering the most experienced, life-saving care in the region. Learn more about Valley Children's NICUs >>