Geno's Story

Geno was born at 33 weeks by emergency C-section due to preeclampsia. After weeks of bed rest, ER visits, headaches, and pain, he arrived a little early. Everything happened so quickly. I was nervous and scared, but my mother was by my side, and Dad was on the way.

Geno let out one little cry—he was gray when I caught a brief glimpse of him—and he was taken straight to the NICU. Dad, Nana, and Auntie saw him before I did, and when I finally saw him later that night, he was on a ventilator because his lungs needed help. My boy was a fighter. He was sleeping, but still grabbed my hand with his little fist.

He needed respiratory support for a few days and then stayed on a cannula for a few weeks. He liked to give the nurses a hard time with his nasal cannula and feeding tube; he needed extra tape because he kept pulling them out. He was a hungry little man, and I worked hard to make sure he had what he needed. We visited him every day or called to check in. The staff were so kind to us and taught us how to do everything.

The FSNCC staff were incredibly helpful. They supported my mental health and helped me navigate new motherhood and NICU life. Each week, they hosted activities for families, and those moments were always so soothing. They helped us prepare for the outside world when Geno was getting close to discharge.

Geno had breathing difficulties at first and tachycardia, but gradually grew out of them over the years. He was diagnosed with autism at age 2, and he is truly the best kid ever. He was born at 3 lbs 11 oz and barely fit in his car seat when we left, but now he is taller than I am and loves riding his bike.

To the NICU parents now: You got this, and your babies are little warriors!