Parents Casey Hall and Lee Albon have been able to return home with baby Noah just in time for his first Christmas after he was born almost three months early weighing just 1lb 15oz – little more than an average tin of chocolates.
Noah spent 132 days receiving specialist care following his birth via an emergency caesarean section on Wednesday 10 August.
Casey and Lee, who also have a six-year-old daughter called Ellie, said: “Thank you to Lincoln Neonatal Unit. Thank you to each and every member of the team for the duty of care shown and for saving our little boy’s life.
“You are all worth your weight in gold. Without your compassion, empathy and care we would not be where we are today, we would not be home for Christmas. You made our dream come true. You provided us with a home from home and made us feel able to care for our baby in hospital.”
Noah has a chronic lung disease following his preterm birth and has had prolonged periods of invasive ventilation.
On discharge on Monday 19 December, Noah weighed 8lb 14oz.
Helen Fletcher, Neonatal Services Deputy Sister for United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT), said: “We are incredibly proud of Noah and his family. Noah’s journey was tough and had all of the highs and lows that our premature babies battle on their homeward bound journeys. Noah and his family were resilient, brave and focused towards getting home.
“We all doubted it would be for Christmas but Noah had other ideas! Noah was 100 days old on ‘World Prematurity Day’ this year and 132 days old at discharge. We’ll really
miss Noah and his family but are over the moon to see them home for Christmas.
“It was a great privilege to care for Noah and his family. The neonatal team and Noah’s parents were partners in Noah’s care and worked as a team to get Noah home.”