As an extreme preemie born at 24 weeks, Myla Hawkins faced uncertain odds for survival. It was a long journey in the Norton Children’s Hospital neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), with a care team that remained dedicated to providing lifesaving care during a series of medical emergencies. Myla overcame all these obstacles and is now a happy, healthy toddler growing up with her family in Hodgenville, Kentucky.
Myla’s amazing story of survival
When Chelsea Hawkins was 17 weeks pregnant, the unexpected happened: She experienced preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), when the amniotic sac breaks before labor. This meant her water broke just four months into her pregnancy.
“I was initially given very little hope that [the] pregnancy would remain viable, but as week after week passed without spontaneous labor, I began to prepare for my baby’s survival and subsequent NICU stay,” Chelsea said. “The team at Norton, from Norton Children’s Maternal-Fetal Medicine to [Norton Children’s] Neonatology, took the utmost care of me and my baby.”
Chelsea was put on bed rest until she was admitted to the hospital at 21 weeks and six days. On July 1, 2023, Myla was born at 24 weeks, 4 days gestation: a tiny baby just 1 pound, 7.3 ounces and just 11.4 inches long — about as small as a “The Elf on the Shelf” doll. She was quickly stabilized by the Norton Children’s Hospital NICU team at delivery, and her long journey of health scare after health scare began.
“The first month was extremely terrifying. Myla went septic at 6 days old due to infection from the womb and experienced a bowel perforation. We came so very close to losing her, but there were so many dedicated and caring physicians that never gave up on my daughter,” Chelsea said.
Pediatric general surgeon David S. Foley, M.D., of Norton Children’s Surgery, performed Myla’s emergency abdominal surgery.
“Dr. Foley saved Myla’s life, and I will be forever grateful for his expertise and care during that dark, scary time,” Chelsea said.
4.5 months of support in the NICU
Myla spent 129 days in the NICU, where she battled through sepsis (a life-threatening response to an infection), major abdominal surgery and many other issues brought on by her extreme prematurity. Those included including a breathing issue from underdeveloped lungs (bronchopulmonary dysplasia), brain bleeding (Grade 2 intraventricular hemorrhage) and heart conditions (patent ductus arteriosus and patent foramen ovale).
According to Chelsea, the nurses, nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, and physicians in the NICU became like family, as she stayed bedside nearly 24/7 with her baby. The entire team of NICU nurses provided extraordinary care and support while she roomed in with her critically ill child. Chelsea especially noted Myla’s primary nurses, Karla Russell, R.N., and Alyssa Young, R.N., who went above and beyond in their care, providing constant comfort and reassurance at every step.
“Both of them literally held me together and advocated for Myla the entire way, too,” Chelsea said.
In addition to appreciation for Dr. Foley’s care, the family also expressed a heartfelt thanks to nurse practitioners Emily M. Anguiano, APRN; Jordan R. Merryman, APRN; and Theresa Houchens, APRN; nurses Elsa Clenny, R.N.; Elizabeth Kunkel, R.N.; Sydney Exton, R.N.; Billy Miller, R.N.; and Dawn Strong, R.N.; plus respiratory therapists Stacy Pedley, CRT; and Audrey Pitts, RRT; for their compassion and dedication during Myla’s stay.
“I will always be so grateful for everything they did to save Myla’s life and get her to where she is today,” Chelsea said. “The love and care we received at Norton Children’s was unmatched and has totally transformed my life and the way I view health care. I tell everyone that Myla is a miracle, but Norton was instrumental in making that miracle happen. If she had been born anywhere else in Kentucky, I don’t think she would be here today.”
Growing up with a passion to give back
Myla was discharged Nov. 7, 2023, to go home with her family, against all odds. She is a happy baby who loves to smile, giggle and wiggle around; you would never know everything she went through so early in her life.
Now, her family’s purpose is to pay it forward. Since Myla’s discharge from the hospital, her family has raised money to support the Norton Children’s Hospital NICU. They held a fundraiser for the NICU during Myla’s first birthday party, and Chelsea plans eventually to launch a charity in Myla’s name to support NICU parents and families in similar situations.
“Today, Myla is absolutely thriving. We are forever indebted to Norton Children’s and the care they provided, namely Dr. Foley,” Chelsea said. “We will always give back as much as possible.”