On June 25, 2015, Alana Mae Bender was born. Alana was born 15 weeks early. She was born at 25 weeks and 1 day. She weighed 1 pound 10 ½ ounces and was 13 ¾ inches tall. Alana’s due date was supposed to be October 8, 2015. She was enthusiastic to join the world and meet mommy and daddy. The first nine weeks of her life she was on a ventilator and fighting for her life. It was a minute-by-minute battle and we never knew what kind of call we would get, from the NICU, on something else that was happening with her.
Alana was a fighter from day one. She was so resilient, and she fought the good fight daily. Despite her early introduction into the world and her multiple surgeries. She had four surgeries while in the NICU. First for her heart, second for her intestine, third for her hydrocephalus, and forth for her brain bleeds – Intraventricular Hemorrhage.
The NICU team was a constant source of comfort for the Bender family. Many of the staff are now part of the family. We quickly realized that Alana was in the best hands. The doctors and nurses at UC Davis Children’s Hospital are so knowledgeable. The staff became like second parents, especially her primary day nurse, Tiffany Wong and her two primary night nurses. The staff treated all the NICU babies like they were their own, providing love and care in addition to saving their lives.
119 days in the NICU (not that I was counting!), the Bender family could finally take Alana home. We’re so fortunate that she received the amazing care that she got during her stay. We always tell everyone who’ll listen to go to UC Davis Children’s Hospital for everything. This hospital is simply the best. I mean that from the bottom of my heart.
Now 6-years-old, this once fragile little miracle baby girl is so amazing and loving inside and out. She is so independent, energetic, loving, spiritual, and perfect to us. She loves her family, she loves music (both listening to music and learning it), she loves to dance, and she loves to be funny.
– Testimonial submitted by Faith Bender, Alana’s mother
