Mighty Miracle Micah's NICU Journey
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On December 5, 2019, expecting mom Celine Rangel was admitted to the hospital for severe pain during the 28th week of her complicated pregnancy. Two days later, Michael Robert Rangel (Micah) was born prematurely at 29 weeks old on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 12:29pm, weighing three pounds and five ounces. He was tiny, but had a full head of hair complete with side burns! Celine got to see Micah a total of three minutes before he was rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and mom was taken to recovery. That evening, Micah was then transferred to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), where he would receive more specialized care due to the scope of his complications.
Although those two days apart from her newborn son were agonizing, it allowed Micah to be taken to the best place he could possibly be to help him grow, develop, and thrive. Celine and Paul, Micah’s dad, are not able to hold their baby yet. The only skin-to-skin contact they are allowed is to reach into his incubator to let him hold their finger in his little hand. The nurses at CHLA have been, and continue to be, absolute angels, and mom and dad love being involved with their baby’s care however they can.
Micah’s journey has been full of ups and downs, and everything in between. This sweet boy has been through week after week of tests, ultrasounds, abdominal exams, sedatives, pain medication, antibiotics, oxygen tubes, oscillators, ventilators, and bili lights. Through it all, he has been so strong and incredibly brave, handling everything like a champ. Even though the NICU life is a rollercoaster, his parents have been by his side at all times, keeping in mind that this is a marathon, not a sprint. At this point, it’s become a waiting game and every day either brings hope as some complications get resolved, or challenges when new complications arise. Currently, the main complication is that his lungs are too small and underdeveloped. He has a very slow rate of progress right now, with one step forward and two steps back, but the family is hopeful that Micah can fight through this process and come home eventually. After his oxygenation is better managed, there still needs to be follow up procedures for his heart, intestines, and legs, but his lungs are our initial priority at this time.
The Rangels are exhausted in every humanly way possible, but there are glimpses of light and bliss, like the very first time mom got to hold Micah for a few minutes, one month after his birth, or when Micah melts their hearts with his brave and darling smiles now and then. Hope remains that there is a lifetime of snuggles and cuddles yet to come, but for now, the focus is on getting Micah all the help he needs to fight and grow strong. It’s been a long NICU stay, and Celine and Paul are prepared that it could take anywhere from three months to over a year. We just don’t know yet, and it’s all on Micah. We’re all just following his lead.
Giving Micah, or any other precious baby in a similar situation, the best possible care requires a lot of testing, consultations, and any other special needs that may arise. While insurance is able to cover most of the basic costs of the hospital stay, these necessary extra treatments must all be paid out of pocket.
That is where we come in. We want to show Celine, Paul, and Micah how loved they are, and how much we support them and their fight. Amongst all the stress and adversity they are facing as a new family, the cost of giving their precious boy the absolute best care possible should not be a question.
Celine and Paul have been so incredibly overwhelmed with the support and concern of their friends and family during this challenging time, that they decided to create an Instagram account for Micah to be able to follow along on his journey with updates. As we follow along, we can lend a helping hand.
Although those two days apart from her newborn son were agonizing, it allowed Micah to be taken to the best place he could possibly be to help him grow, develop, and thrive. Celine and Paul, Micah’s dad, are not able to hold their baby yet. The only skin-to-skin contact they are allowed is to reach into his incubator to let him hold their finger in his little hand. The nurses at CHLA have been, and continue to be, absolute angels, and mom and dad love being involved with their baby’s care however they can.
Micah’s journey has been full of ups and downs, and everything in between. This sweet boy has been through week after week of tests, ultrasounds, abdominal exams, sedatives, pain medication, antibiotics, oxygen tubes, oscillators, ventilators, and bili lights. Through it all, he has been so strong and incredibly brave, handling everything like a champ. Even though the NICU life is a rollercoaster, his parents have been by his side at all times, keeping in mind that this is a marathon, not a sprint. At this point, it’s become a waiting game and every day either brings hope as some complications get resolved, or challenges when new complications arise. Currently, the main complication is that his lungs are too small and underdeveloped. He has a very slow rate of progress right now, with one step forward and two steps back, but the family is hopeful that Micah can fight through this process and come home eventually. After his oxygenation is better managed, there still needs to be follow up procedures for his heart, intestines, and legs, but his lungs are our initial priority at this time.
The Rangels are exhausted in every humanly way possible, but there are glimpses of light and bliss, like the very first time mom got to hold Micah for a few minutes, one month after his birth, or when Micah melts their hearts with his brave and darling smiles now and then. Hope remains that there is a lifetime of snuggles and cuddles yet to come, but for now, the focus is on getting Micah all the help he needs to fight and grow strong. It’s been a long NICU stay, and Celine and Paul are prepared that it could take anywhere from three months to over a year. We just don’t know yet, and it’s all on Micah. We’re all just following his lead.
Giving Micah, or any other precious baby in a similar situation, the best possible care requires a lot of testing, consultations, and any other special needs that may arise. While insurance is able to cover most of the basic costs of the hospital stay, these necessary extra treatments must all be paid out of pocket.
That is where we come in. We want to show Celine, Paul, and Micah how loved they are, and how much we support them and their fight. Amongst all the stress and adversity they are facing as a new family, the cost of giving their precious boy the absolute best care possible should not be a question.
Celine and Paul have been so incredibly overwhelmed with the support and concern of their friends and family during this challenging time, that they decided to create an Instagram account for Micah to be able to follow along on his journey with updates. As we follow along, we can lend a helping hand.
Co-organizers (3)
Andre Sahakian
Organizer
Briggs Terrace, CA
Celine Annette Rangel
Beneficiary
Shakay Gregori
Co-organizer