One Month with Our Brave Vance Lee
It’s been one month since our sweet boy, Vance Lee, entered the world on December 19th at 11:14 PM. Born at just 22.5 weeks and weighing a tiny 1 pound 2 ounces, Vance showed us right away that he is a natural fighter.
From the start, he was placed on breathing tubes and other monitoring equipment and nestled into a fully enclosed incubator set to 98.6°F and 80% humidity to mimic the womb. Stabilization required immense care, including the placement of a PICC line delicately threaded through a tiny vein in his arm to near his heart. Slowly, he was introduced to small feedings to help him grow stronger.
One of our most special moments came on January 4th, when Vance was able to lay in his momma’s arms for the first time outside of his incubator. He melted into her arms like it was where he was meant to be, soaking up every bit of love and security. Unfortunately, since he has switched from the conventional ventilator to the jet ventilator, we are no longer able to hold him while he is on this machine. While this has been incredibly hard, we know it’s what is best for Vance’s health, and that’s always our top priority.
The NICU journey feels like a delicate dance—two steps forward, one step back. Each milestone fills our hearts with hope, while every setback reminds us of how fragile this fight is. On January 8th, Vance faced one of those tough setbacks when he developed trouble breathing, and his oxygen levels dropped dangerously low. He was placed on 100% oxygen support, a breathing jet, while also receiving manual breaths. After hours of struggle, his fighting spirit prevailed, and he stabilized with improved oxygen levels. Blood cultures revealed an infection, and a 14-day course of antibiotics was started. Thankfully, the antibiotics worked, but they came with side effects. The forced breaths caused three air pockets to form in his lungs.
On January 16th, early in the morning, one of those air pockets burst. Vance struggled to breathe, and his oxygen levels plummeted. The team acted quickly, inserting a chest tube into his lung to release the trapped gas and even using a needle through his tiny rib cage to help him breathe. It was a harrowing experience, and we were called to the NICU, unsure if he would make it. But our warrior Vance fought through and proved, yet again, his incredible strength. We believe his brother and sister are watching over him, sending love and protection from heaven.
On January 17th, Vance faced increased breathing pressures to help expand his lungs, knowing it might cause the remaining air pockets to burst. Later that afternoon, the second pocket did burst, but Vance handled it like the tough little guy he is, requiring minimal additional support. His X-rays showed progress, but he still has one more air pocket—the largest—that needs to resolve.
No one can prepare a parent for the emotional toll of the NICU. It is a place where time feels frozen, and the world outside fades away. Despite the exhaustion and heartache, we wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. This is where Vance needs us, and he continues to amaze us with his strength and resilience.
We will do our best to keep you updated on Vance’s journey as he continues to fight and grow. Your love, prayers, and support mean the world to us, and we are so grateful to have you cheering on our little warrior.
