Children’s Miracle Network Miracle: Lillea Salazar

The Salazar's have been joining us for radiothon since Lillea was born.  Lillea is a fighter and has been since the day she was born.  Tiny is an understatement, but that tiny turned into AWESOME!   She is one of the reasons we do what we do for CMN.  From her small beginnings to her contagious personality Lillea is truly a rock star.  Here's her story.

Story provided by John and Leasa Salazar

It’s been seven years now, but I still hear the words like it was yesterday.

“We’re going to deliver her today or tomorrow, we’re going to put if off as long as we can but she’ll be here tomorrow afternoon.”

John and I were at BSA, 29 weeks pregnant and petrified. We had tried so hard to get pregnant and overall I had a decent pregnancy…until I didn’t.

On January 12, 2007, I was diagnosed with HELLP syndrome.  HELLP syndrome is a group of symptoms that occur in pregnant women which include the breakdown of red blood cells, elevated liver enzymes and a low platelet count.  Basically, if we didn’t deliver the baby now, there was a good chance that neither one of us was going to survive this delivery.

Our world exploded that day.  We’ve never been more scared in our entire lives.

Two days later, on January 14, 2007, we delivered our 3lb. 10oz. miracle baby, Lillean Grace, via emergency c-section.

In the beginning, the only time we could touch her was when we changed her diaper and took her temperature which only happened every three hours.  It was four days before I was able to hold my baby for the first time.

She had a tiny hole in her heart that we were lucky enough to be able to treat with medication. We were able to avoid the repair surgery on our little miracle.

Lillea spent 61 days in the BSA NICU under constant care from the nurses and doctors that would teach us how to be parents.

The isolette that she lived in for most of those days, the open air crib she eventually moved in to, some of the tubing and other medical devices they used with her, were all provided by funds from Children’s Miracle Network.

Without the help of Children’s Miracle Network, Coffee Memorial Blood Center and the March of Dimes,  we have no idea if she would have survived, much less thrived.

We have been involved with the CMN Radiothon/Telethon since 2009.  We really want Lillea to understand the gifts she’s been given.  She is now helping to bring exposure to CMN and prematurity.

Now our Lillea is a healthy, strong, rambunctious 7-year-old that’s ready to take on anything.  She’s certainly changed us and we can’t wait to see her change the world!

The Children's Miracle Network Celebration Radiothon

Thursday and Friday, April 28th and 29th 5:30a-7pm

On your radio, online, or through the Radiopup App