Meet Wyatt
WYATT’S STORY
In the midst of each CDH journey, the throes of doctors visits (planned and unplanned), consultations, physical therapies, and treatments, it can feel like life is in an unending funnel. To help keep herself motivated and positive, Wyatt Thomas Allen’s mom, Sarah, made herself a milestone wall. She diligently kept track of every benchmark and bit of progress that her little warrior made. So when we spoke to discuss his journey, she was elated to share that he didn’t just celebrate his third birthday, but also an entire year between unplanned hospital visits. “That’s a major achievement for us,” she shared, laughing. “We liked to call him the frequent flyer–every few weeks he had to make his social visit at the hospital.” By March 2020 Wyatt was stabilizing and his visits diminished. Now he’s transitioning into breathing fully on his own, and enjoying life with his family as a joyful–albeit stubborn–three year-old. “I like to remind myself that his stubbornness is what kept him alive.” Sarah laughs.
Wyatt’s diagnosis came at his 20-week ultrasound, where his mom, dad, and big brother Noah eagerly awaited news about their newest family member. Noah, who was 15 at the time, had planned a big gender reveal for his parents and community that night at his basketball game. “Our technician left for what seemed like forever and then returned with a phone,” Sarah reflected. It was then that she knew something was wrong. They went back to doctors in Rochester for a confirmation of the diagnosis.
But Wyatt came into the world guns ablaze on June 4, 2018 with a whole community of doctors, nurses, family, and friends eagerly awaiting his arrival. Mom and Dad got to see him 6 hours after his delivery when he was stabilized, and the next day he went on his first round of ECMO for 16 days. After that, during his repair surgery, it was discovered that his liver was 40% ascended. His stomach was siloed and he seemed to be doing okay. Then on July 4, he took a turn for the worse. His surgeon, Dr. Wakeman, proposed they put him back on ECMO–VV ECMO this time–a procedure he had only done a few times before. The surgery saved Wyatt’s life. He remained on ECMO for 21 days. His whole care team–Dr. Wakeman, his NICU doctor, Dr. Chess, and Dr. Scheible – worked day and night to keep him stable. His mom, Sarah, left her job and lived full-time in Ronald McDonald housing to be there to support him. His Dad drove back and forth from their farm in Hall, NY almost daily to be there for him.
In total, Wyatt spent 422 days in the hospital, but to his family, it has all been worth it. Today, he’s a jubilant, loving little boy, smiling and babbling and starting “mommy school.” His grandmothers live just down the road to support his journey. And big brother Noah just started college just a half an hour away. With so much community support and love, the milestones keep coming. There’s little doubt that this tenacious three year-old will keep achieving big things.
As told to Fore Hadley by Sarah Robson aka “Mom”
About the Fore Hadley Angels in the NICU Fund
Support and proceeds for the Fore Hadley Angels in the NICU Fund will go towards assisting current and future families like Caleb’s, by providing financial contributions to assist families with the costs associated with extended, long distance travel and living arrangements. Costs that are often a must to ensure the proper specialty care for CDH babies.