Howdy! My name is Toby.  I was born at Women’s Hospital in Tupelo, MS on Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 5:07 p.m. by caesarian section.  My gestational age was approximately 27 weeks and 3 days.

My mommy developed a syndrome known as “atypical HELLP” where the liver and the placenta battle each other with red blood cells and blood platelets being casualties.  There is no cure except to deliver the placenta, and since the placenta was essential to my survival in the womb, I decided to make an early appearance and show everyone how perfect and strong I really am.

For a couple of days I was given a gooey substance called surfactant to help my breathing.  After that, I was on CPAP for a day or two.  The head gear made me look like a scooba diver, but now all of that is gone and I’m just using this thing called a canula to help me get a little bit more oxygen than all of y’all breathe.

I’m too young to use a bottle to eat from, so I’m getting Mommy’s milk through a tube.  They tell me I won’t be running out of her milk for long time!

Mommy and Daddy come visit me every day.  Since my eyes are still blurry, I can’t quite make them out, but there’s no mistaking Mommy’s voice!

It’s very warm and cozy in my little world, so y’all don’t worry about me.  The people that take care of me are top notch.  They tell me I’ll be home in no time – maybe by Christmas!

Keep checking back and I’ll let y’all know how I’m doing.

Toby

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