Pedro’s Story

O Warrior Stories

Written by: Raphaela Cavalcanti

We found out that Pedro would be a baby with Omphalocele when I was still pregnant with him and his twin brother, around 20 weeks of gestation. Many uncertainties, many fears, but Pedro came into the world strong as I have never seen like it. Pedro was in the NICU for 326 days, had many complications, and because of his pulmonary hypertension he had to have a tracheostomy. We did the paint and wait method for his omphalocele and his skin was progressing very well. But we were only able to start the compression when Pedro was about 8 months old because he couldn't tolerate it very well because of his pulmonary hypertension. Today Pedro has already been discharged from the NICU, he is in a specialized facility. We already have his belly completely covered by skin and we are already doing the compression. We are currently waiting for the omphalocele to be a little flatter and inside and then Pedro will be able to have his first surgery. Today, close to completing one year of life, Pedro is a very happy child, And he loves to play with his twin brother when we go to visit him up at the facility. We are looking forward to Pedro being able to come home and we all be together. Pedro taught us the meaning of strength and resilience and we are so grateful that he chose us to be his parents.