A Pound of Strength and a Mighty Miracle: Diane's Story

“When things got rough and I felt like I couldn’t cope, the care team and Dr. Box were always there for us. I trusted Dr. Box and the care team with Diane’s life — their faith in her gave us faith too.” 

– Rochelle, Diane's mom

Meet Diane

When Diane entered the world, she weighed just 460 grams – less than a pound and nearly the weight of a soda can. Born at just 22 weeks and 1 day gestation, Diane was so small that her tiny little hand was equal in size to her dad’s fingertip. The journey for her parents, Rochelle and Curtis, was not easy. But Diane’s fight was met with expert care, determined hearts and unwavering hope, which paved her way forward.

A Fragile Pregnancy

Just months before learning they were pregnant with Diane, Rochelle and Curtis had endured the heartbreaking loss of their stillborn son, Quinn. A total of two previous losses weighed heavily on them, making each week of this pregnancy uncertain.

At 14 weeks, doctors discovered that Rochelle’s cervix was opening prematurely. An emergency cerclage, a procedure to stitch the cervix closed, was performed just in time. Waiting one more day would have made it impossible. For weeks, Rochelle continued to live life cautiously, making frequent emergency room visits as complications arose. Despite taking all precautions, Rochelle went into early labor, and on August 15, Diane was born by emergency C-section.

“I truly believe that losing Quinn brought me Diane — and while it is difficult to lose a child, I didn’t want it to affect our fight for Diane’s survival,” shared Rochelle. “Even being so little, Diane was strong. Looking at her, I knew we had a fighter and we were going to fight right by her side every step of the way.”

Diane’s First Days

At 22 weeks and 1 day gestation, Diane’s odds were slim. What changed everything was Diane herself. She was pink in color, moved vigorously and even made tiny attempts to breathe on her own. These were signs of strength, and her spirit was clear from the start: she was feisty, strong and full of will. But prematurity was a rollercoaster.

“I learned that Diane had a hard lump in her stomach, and that’s when she was transferred to Valley Children’s by helicopter,” said Rochelle. “I was so scared in that moment. While I can’t remember the name of the transport nurse I spoke with, I will never forget how she made me feel. She put me at ease by the way she talked to me and explained everything in such great detail. For the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel anxious. I just knew Valley Children’s would take good care of her.”

“Upon arrival, imaging revealed that Diane had a life-threatening hole in her intestine that required emergency surgical intervention,” explained Valley Children’s Neonatologist Dr. David Box. “As she recovered, she faced additional complications, including a buildup of fluid in the space between her lungs and chest wall that made it hard to breathe, and later, a heart condition called patent ductus arteriosus, or PDA, that required surgery. Each of these challenges demanded coordinated, highly specialized care from our neonatal intensive care and surgical teams.

Through every challenge, Diane proved herself to be a small but remarkable fighter. Her parents, Rochelle and Curtis, never left her side and were her biggest advocates through her NICU journey.

Diane and mom Rochelle practice skin-to-skin contact

A Fighter Through and Through

“After spending several months in the NICU, Diane was diagnosed with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, or BPD, which is common when a baby is born extremely premature because their lungs are often underdeveloped and require ventilator support,” shared Dr. Box. “As a result, Diane needed supplemental oxygen and monitoring to help her breathing and ensure her oxygen levels stayed safe.”

“When things got rough and I felt like I couldn’t cope, the care team and Dr. Box were always there for us. I trusted Dr. Box and the care team with Diane’s life — their faith in her gave us faith too,” added Rochelle.

Diane smiles at the camera

Diane spent more than eight months in the NICU at Valley Children’s. She endured more procedures than most will in a lifetime, but she showed remarkable spirit through it all. At just two weeks old, Diane was the little girl who managed to suck her thumb. At one month, she learned to take a pacifier, even while intubated. Nurses often laughed about how she tugged at her breathing tubes and clung tightly to their fingers.

“Caring for a baby born at 22 weeks is one of the greatest challenges as a neonatologist, but it is also the most rewarding,” added Dr. Box. “Diane’s journey in the NICU was extraordinary, and it really highlights Diane’s strength, the love and advocacy from her parents, as well as the expertise of all of all the specialists at Valley Children’s who come together to care for our tiniest and most fragile patients.”

When the day finally came to go home, Diane weighed a healthy 11 pounds and needed only a feeding tube and low-flow oxygen. “Leaving was exciting but terrifying,” Rochelle said. “At Valley Children’s, we had a whole team. At home, it was just us. But we knew she was ready.”

Diane graduates from the NICU

Today: A Thriving Toddler

Today, Diane is a lively, social little girl and still as feisty as ever. She loves noisy toys, camping with family and making everyone laugh with her deep belly giggles. She’s strong-willed, funny and full of joy. And on her first birthday, Diane had a fairy-themed celebration.

“Diane is proof of miracles,” Rochelle said. “We could have been sent anywhere, but we came to Valley Children’s, and we are so grateful for that. Valley Children’s saved our daughter’s life and treated Diane as if she were their own. They treated me like family and always went above and beyond. I was able to hold on to hope because of the care team, and even though it has been a hard journey, I wouldn’t take any of it back.”

More About Valley Children's NICUs

Valley Children’s has four NICUs in the Central Valley, including at Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera (the only level IV NICU in the entire region), Adventist Health in Hanford, Mercy Medical Center in Merced and Saint Agnes Medical Center in Fresno. Valley Children’s is also a Magnet®-recognized organization demonstrating excellence in nursing practice and quality patient care. Our expert transport team provides nearly 800 neonatal transports a year, delivering the most experienced, life-saving care in the region. Learn more about Valley Children's NICUs