According to a statement, Lilly Munro from Melbourne listened to her instincts and possibly saved her child’s life. Something told me something wasn’t right at the 24-week mark. She suspected from her maternal instincts that something was wrong with the unborn Lennox. She did not pause to think; she took Brodie Moles by the hand and ran straight to the hospital, very worried for her unborn child.
At the hospital, doctors found that Lennox’s heart needed quick repair because he had a serious problem. Time was running out. The doctors rapidly decided to induce labor. At just 1.8 pounds, Lennox was born exceptionally early, too small and quiet, with a 50% chance of living.
The doctors worked quickly to help him survive. To catch his bodily temperature, they boxed him in a plastic bag and tied him up to machines that would help his body function such as feeding tubes and breathing equipment. Paying attention to beeps and the sounds of monitors became a regular part of Lilly and Brodie’s lives.
Lilly had strong and opposite feelings as she saw her son continue to live through each day. She stood by him almost every day during the full 111-day hospital stay. The world she lived in consisted only of the NICU. At home, Brodie looked after Lilly’s other kids and did his best to keep the family intact until Lennox came back.
Each day was full and the nights were longer than you could ever imagine. From time to time, we lost hope for a bit, as careful drops of tears trickled down in hospitals. Yet, the nurses and doctors always kept fighting. Their effort never wavered, as they tried to save Lennox like they would a strong little warrior.
As time went on, Lennox surpassed all the negative predictions. His heart which had been so small and frail, now beat with strength. He started breathing without help from a ventilator. Little by little, every tube was removed from my body. They treated every little achievement like a true miracle, as it truly was to them.
Over a period of almost four months, Lennox made a full recovery and got to go home. By the time he reached a healthy size, he weighed nine pounds. He was welcomed home with tears of joy, intense laughter and sincere thanks from all. Not only did he survive, but he beat his opponents.
Their home is filled with baby laughter and relaxed hugs, thanks to Lennox. Having him at home gives the family a fresh feeling of togetherness and hope. Lilly and Brodie notice themselves becoming fascinated by all their baby’s noises, smiles and breaths.
The course was very unpleasant, but it bonded the family more than they ever thought it would. They now understand to appreciate the simplest of moments, because they almost lost them.
Many times, Lilly notices that it was her gut feeling that day that influenced her actions. She felt something deep inside telling her. “That’s when an emergency warning call saved my son.”
