A premmie baby boy in the US state of Kentucky has finally gone home after more than a year in hospital.
Colsen Jones was born at 24 weeks gestation, weighing just 700 grams or a pound and a half.
He spent 431 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Golisano Children’s Hospital at the University of Kentucky in Lexington before being discharged to go home with his parents.
Because Colsen was born so early, he’s experienced a number of complications faced by premature infants and has had multiple surgical procedures.
He required a breathing tube for his first 145 days.
BABY COLSEN GETS TO “GO TO THE ZOO”
After many false starts on getting released, his family finally came up with a code word for bringing him home.
They said he was “going to the zoo,” since there was a large collection of stuffed animals awaiting him at his home.
At home, his parents Chris and Savannah Jones will be providing care for his tracheostomy and a gastrojejunostomy, or GJ tube, in his abdomen through which he receives his food and medicine.
He also needs physical and occupational therapy to support his development.
PARENTS WERE ACCOMMODATED AT RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE FOR MORE THAN A YEAR.
The parents who live in the town of Waynesburg, an hour’s drive south of Lexington, spent the first year of Colsen’s life at the Ronald McDonald House and didn’t return home until they were discharged from the hospital after the birth of Colsen’s brother Everen.
“We were incredibly blessed,” Savannah said of the Ronald McDonald House.
“That’s probably the number one thing that helped us through it.”
She said she and Chris spent just one night in the NICU after Colsen’s birth, and then a room for them became available at the nonprofit the next day.
COLSEN’S PARENTS HAD TRIED FOR YEARS TO HAVE A CHILD
The mum acknowledged they’ve also received lots of support from the team at the University of Kentucky Children’s Hospital, their family and friends and even people they’ve never met.
“I know strangers pray for Colsen every day,” Savannah Jones said.
She also revealed that she and Chris had tried for years to have a child — with several miscarriages.
“We never expected. We always hoped and prayed.”
LIFE CHANGED COMPLETELY AFTER COLSEN’S BIRTH
“Since delivering at just 24 weeks, life has completely changed for the Joneses.
“I’ve learned more about love, patience, and strength than I ever thought possible,” confessed Savannah.
Her journey has been a long one full of tear-streaked and sleepless nights, navigating the past year with the help of nurses and hospital staff.
BABY BOY REMINDS MUM OF WHAT TRUE RESILIENCE LOOKS LIKE
She says watching her tiny boy grow has been an amazing experience.
“Colsen is the bravest little soul I’ve ever known,” she said.
“His strength, his will to fight, and the way he keeps showing up each day.”
“It amazes me. Even on the hard days, he reminds me what true resilience looks like.”
CELEBRATING THE END OF THE HOSPITAL ORDEAL
Savannah celebrated Colsen’s homecoming, by writing: “431 days of praying, fighting, hoping, grieving, celebrating tiny victories, surviving setbacks, and refusing to give up.”
“And now, he’s home. Our sweet Colsen is finally where he always belonged.”
“There were moments we didn’t know how we’d keep going, moments filled with fear, exhaustion, heartbreak, and uncertainty.”
“But this little boy kept showing us what strength really looks like.”
“Over and over again, he fought his way through every hard day with more courage than we could ever put into words.“
HAPPY HOMECOMING
“After 431 days in the NICU, after machines, surgeries, tears, milestones celebrated through hospital walls, and prayers whispered at all hours of the night, we finally carried our baby through our front door.”
“It was everything.”
Savannah Jones thanked everyone who supported the family over the past year, and stated:
“He is home. He is safe. He is so deeply loved. And he is absolutely perfect.”
“BABY COLSEN IS A BLESSING WHO’S LOVED ENDLESSLY”
Responding to negative comments about abortion, Savannah wrote: “Colsen is a blessing. At 24 weeks or full-term, healthy or not, he is loved endlessly.”
“He deserves love, care, and support. He deserves to be here. The NICU exists for babies just like him.”
“We showed up through every hard day to get us here. And we’d do it a million times over for that sweet face.”
“We cannot wait to have both of our babies under one roof.”
“Yes, our hands are going to be full. But thank God, they aren’t empty.”
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