Fighting NEC with Benjamin

It's suppose to be a happy and celebratory time when a baby is born, but little Benji was born at just 26 weeks. The doctors didn't seem too worried but I could tell there was always a chance he might not make it. He was taken from me as soon he was born, I never even got to hold my boy. After an emergency surgery and coming out of sedation, I was allowed to see my new baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, NICU. Seeing your baby hooked up to tubes and being so little and fragile hurt me. We cried but he was doing it! We were discharged fairly early and I was allowed to come home to the rest of my family and a toddler whom I hadn't seen in a week! 2 days later I had an emergency call. Benjamin had to be life flighted from Woodlands Memorial to the Children's Hospital Downtown. We live in Magnolia so time was not on our side. We rushed to consent and my baby was life flighted downtown. He had developed NEC. Necrotizing Enterocolitis, I had to look it up.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious gastrointestinal problem that mostly affects premature babies. The condition inflames intestinal tissue, causing it to die.

A hole (perforation) may form in your baby's intestine. Bacteria can leak into the abdomen (belly) or bloodstream through the hole. NEC usually develops within two to six weeks after birth.

In some infants, NEC is mild. Others experience severe, life-threatening symptoms.

When we arrived downtown for Emergency surgery, we were told that Benjamin's case was life threatening and that over 50% of his intestines were removed as well as 50% of his colon. We were completely devastated!!! The next few days and weeks were horrible, a complete nightmare! He needed multiple surgeries and more intestine had to be removed. My poor baby was constantly under anesthesia. His chances for survival were critical and less than 30% and even now after 4 surgeries back to back he will need another life altering surgery soon. Because of where we live and this dire situation I have been forced to close my small studio which was the source of my income. My Husband has missed and will continue to miss days of work, childcare has been hard to find and the chances my baby still might not make it all weigh over us like a dark blanket. It has affected our income significantly just to be by Our little fighters side. Every day is a fight and everyday we pray he grows stronger so that his fighting chances are high. Between medical expenses, loss of work and distance, our Family needs help. Please join us in praying for Benjamin Bear Salcido and hoping his fight isn't for nothing and that he may be able to live a fulfilling life. I wanna thank all our family and friends that have been supportive and giving us the strength to continue and the push to start this page. If you do wish to donate make sure to choose a tip for go fund me as it is set at a 15%tip and decreases the funds we raise. Thank you and God bless.