- At 2 months old, Ellie became unresponsive due to an undiagnosed congenital diaphragmatic hernia that ruptured. She went unresponsive, and I had to perform CPR. They revived her at our local ER, where we learned of the hernia. They said Ellie should not have made it, but she did. They stabilized her and sent us to Niswonger's Children's Hospital, where she spent 32 days in the PICU. Ellie's hernia was repaired, and she received a G-tube. Ellie suffered a global anoxic brain injury. We were told again she would probably not make it, and they extubated her, but Ellie proved them wrong. We were also told that she would probably not be able to do anything. But here we are almost 2 years later, and she has already accomplished so much. Now Ellie has been accepted into intensive therapy in Cary, NC which will help her accomplish so much more!