Medical City Healthcare | Take Care | Spring 2019

Nearly two years after his birth in March 2017, Jacob Rodriguez left Medical City Dallas and Medical City Children’s Hospital for the first time. The celebratory send-off featured balloons, bubbles, well wishes and happy tears as he made his way down the long hall lined by his hospital care team. Jacob had been diagnosed in utero with a rare and serious birth defect called an omphalocele—a hole in his navel. His parents were referred to the Maternal Fetal Institute at Medical City Dallas as their son’s best chance for survival. Born prematurely, Jacob weighed only 2 pounds, 14 ounces, and his lungs were severely under- developed. Even more serious was that his intestines, liver and parts of his stomach were contained in a thin layer of tissue outside of his tiny body. In critical condition, he was transferred to the high-level (Level IV) NICU at Medical City Children’s Hospital. There, a team of highly skilled, dedicated and compassionate doctors and nurses cared for Jacob 24/7. He was unable to sit up, roll over or be on his tummy. He could only receive hugs from behind. Successful surgery In summer 2018, Jacob was transferred to the hospital’s pediatric intensive care unit, where expert medical staff spent months expanding and growing extra skin on his belly that could be used to cover his exposed organs and close his abdomen. On Halloween, surgeons performed a complex surgery that successfully closed Jacob’s omphalocele and placed his organs inside his body. On the day of his long-awaited hospital discharge, Jacob was laughing, playing with toys and trying his best to work his way onto his belly. Celebration for One tiny patient’s journey from NICU to home J A C O B THE BEST CARE FOR MOM AND BABY. The Maternal Fetal Institute provides unrivaled care for mothers and high-risk babies—all under one roof. Call 972-566-8585 for more information. Watch a video about Jacob’s incredible journey at MedicalCityHealthcare.com/TakeCare . NICU care 8