Baby Ellianna's Story
In September of 2023, Briana and her husband received the joyful news that they were expecting twins. Anticipation filled their hearts as they eagerly awaited the arrival of their baby girl and boy, a sentiment shared by their three older boys.
However, at just 22 weeks into her pregnancy, Briana began experiencing troubling symptoms. Concerned, she made her way to Wesley Hospital for evaluation. Shortly after her arrival, her water broke, signaling the beginning of a challenging chapter. Later that night, amidst the whirlwind of emotions, Briana gave birth to twin A, named Akari, on October 19th. Akari, though weighing less than a pound, bravely entered the world and lived for 1.5 precious hours.
Briana remained at the hospital, closely monitored along with her baby girl. A week passed, fraught with uncertainty, until Briana's water broke once again. In a desperate race against time, Ellianna made her grand entrance into the world through an emergency C-section on October 27th. Briana's life-threatening sepsis and the alarming escalation of both her and Ellianna's heart rates necessitated immediate action. Ellianna, a true miracle, weighed a delicate 1lb 9oz at birth.
The journey ahead was far from easy. Ellianna faced numerous complications, including a significant brain bleed, struggles with IV placements, and the loss of blood flow resulting in the absence of most fingers on one hand. For two months, she relied on intubation and is currently still on breathing support, enduring the challenges with remarkable resilience.
Despite the daunting obstacles, Ellianna emerged as a true fighter. From surviving cardiac arrest at just three days old to battling flooded lungs, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), feeding difficulties, a heart murmur, and countless other hurdles.
Now, Briana, her husband, and their baby girl have finally returned home to the loving embrace of their three older boys. Together, they embody
the unwavering strength and resilience that have seen them through the most trying of times. Ellianna's journey is a testament to the power of love, hope, and unwavering determination.
“Ronald McDonald truly helped us in more ways than we could ever have thought possible. We developed so many connections and are so grateful for this charity. We were able to stay with them for 140 days! The constant community and commitment to their families is what the world needs more of. There were so many lonely and scary nights watching our daughter fight for her life, but Ronald McDonald House made things feel like home and are so grateful for them. Thank you for everything!”