Hello! We are Jess & David, Catalina's parents. Catalina was born premature on 9/30/2023 at 27 weeks. Her miracle story began long before then as the waters broke at 15 weeks and we were given a 2-5% chance of survival as most babies would deliver within a week of this happening. We thankfully made it past that week, but the amniotic fluid never returned and remained at low levels through the rest of the pregnancy. This would cause Catalina to have growth delays and poor lung development. At 24 weeks of pregnancy, Jess was admitted to HCA Brandon Hospital for 24/7 monitoring as there was a risk of Catalina being born imminently. Catalina was able to hold on for 3 weeks and was then born at 760grams (1 lb, 10.8 oz) - she was smaller than a ruler. As the doctors suspected, her lungs were not properly developed at birth, even having the left one collapsed. After 2 weeks of care and intervention Catalina was able to be extubated and put on non-invasive respiratory support. During the first week of her arrival we were given more tough news. Catalina had a cerebral hemorrhage affecting both sides of her brain. This would lead her to be transferred to John Hopkins Children's Hospital 2 weeks after birth for treatment of her developing hydrocephalus due to the brain bleed. She has undergone brain surgery to insert a ventriculosubgaleal shunt to relieve the pressure to enable her to continue to grow and develop.

Catalina did great with her surgery and the shunt has allowed for the excess fluid to be reabsorbed. However, there is still clotting in her brain that will take time to break up. If swelling begins again, she will need another brain surgery for a permanent shunt.

Today, Catalina is a beacon of resilience, making gains day-by-day and now is a whopping 3lbs - double her birth weight. Her other organs are functioning well, and her breathing has improved significantly. She has just graduated from her fourth breathing machine! Her incubator now operates in air mode, mimicking the open environment, and she's expected to have open-top care soon, allowing for more physical contact and direct loving care from Mom and Dad.

Catalina’s journey will not end with her hospital stays. She will need ongoing medical support into the future. If you can help us in meeting the ongoing costs of her care we will be eternally grateful. Your contributions will directly impact her medical bills and continued care during and after NICU, ensuring she receives the best possible treatment.

Thank you for taking the time to read about Catalina's journey and for any support given, including sharing her story. Your prayers and positive thoughts mean the world to us. We look forward to taking our Pinguina home soon.