Queens baby discharged from hospital for the first time since birth after 18 months
On Thanksgiving Eve of last year, Baby Leah was admitted to the hospital weighing a little more than 1 pound after being born at just 24 weeks.
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At 18 months old, Baby Leah Montayes Macias, from Queens, was finally able to go home for the first time on Thursday after being discharged from Blythedale Children's Hospital.
On Thanksgiving Eve of last year, Baby Leah was admitted to the hospital weighing a little more than 1 pound after being born at just 24 weeks.
In her first few weeks of life, she was diagnosed with chronic lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, feeding difficulties - and later, respiratory distress syndrome, a brain bleed and a heart defect.
Now after months of uncertainty, Leah is 24 pounds and only requires a small amount of oxygen through a nasal cannula.
"Did we think about this day? Forever, yes. But did we think it was going to happen? No. So, we're just happy it's finally here," said Leah's mother, Stephanie Macias.
Leah's doctors say that based on her course over the past year and a half...her future looks bright.
"She has gotten physical therapy, occupational therapy, feeding therapy, and we've slowly been able to wean her respiratory support to much lower so she's safe to go home," said M. Susan LaTuga, an attending physician in the Infant and Toddler Unit with Blythedale Children's Hospital.
Leah's parents say they are excited to spend their first Thanksgiving at home with little Leah.
