OU Children’s Hospital Helps Parents With Critical Infant Care At Home

Becoming a new parent can be an intimidating adventure. The change can be even more daunting for parents of babies born with critical needs.  Doctors at OU Children’s Hospital offer lessons that keep families together. 

Abby Thomas and Denaviun Barree took OU Children's Hospital's classes on critical care for their daughter. 

“It’s been crazy,” Thomas said. “You know, it’s a lot to go through at 20-years-old.”  

Becoming a new parent is hard when circumstances are normal.

“Have a baby - have all the cute moments and stuff like that,” Thomas said. “But yeah, I didn’t have any of those.”  

Her daughter Nevaeh was born with a teratoma – a tumor-like growth on her neck.   

“We did surgery a week after she was born,” Thomas said.

Instead of spending time in a long-term care facility, Thomas wanted Navaeh home. Doctors at OU Children's Hospital made that happen. 

“I didn’t care what I had to do,” Thomas said. “As long as she was home with me.”

Six months later, Nevaeh was home.

“They just really taught us so much,” Barree said.

OU Children’s Hospital doctors like Amanda Page teach parents with babies like Navaeh how to care for them at home.  

“With them doing so well we continue to push forward; make progress with what we're doing,” Page said.

This knowledge provides peace amid a life crisis.

“It kinda gave me a sense of comfort to know that I wasn’t alone,” Thomas said. “Sometimes it is hard, but she makes it easy.” 

The challenges don’t outweigh the joy added to their family.

“I feel like she’s made my life a lot better,” Barree said.

Change for the better thanks to the love and support of this village.