F A M I L Y
P R O F I L E
Reed Family
HOME: Mt. Vernon, MO (Lawrence County)
Roman Reed was born at 37 weeks with sticky
lungs and was having difficulty breathing on his own. Within 24 hours of being born, he was put on a ventilator. He was on the ventilator for two days, then transitioned to a CPAP and was down to regular oxygen after only twelve hours. For the first few days of life, Roman was receiving his nutrients through an IV, so he had to learn how to eat on his own once he was off oxygen. He started with breast milk through a feeding tube, and after 8 total days at Mercy Hospital, Roman was able to go home as a healthy baby. Roman was discharged on his mom’s birthday, so their whole family got to be together to celebrate Roman coming home and Harley’s birthday! Harley and Christopher Reed stayed at the Ronald McDonald House while Roman was in the NICU. They appreciated that the House was in the hospital and they were only an elevator ride away. Harley had a C-section so she was grateful to be so close while she was still healing. The House was very comfortable and felt like home. There are so many unknowns when having a newborn, so it was good to feel like you were at a nice and homey place, even though you weren’t at home. It didn’t feel like it was still a hospital. Harley and Christopher had other kids at home, so it was a difficult adjustment for everybody. Christopher said the best part about the House was the bed because it was so comfortable.
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