The Ceron Family
Araceli first went to her hometown hospital in
Dodge City with pain, where doctors mistakenly told her she had a tumor. While visiting Mexico, a second opinion revealed she was actually three and a half months pregnant.
Back in the U.S., her pregnancy progressed to 23 weeks. After being sent home once from the ER, her pain returned a week later, and her water broke on the way to the hospital. With limited resources in Dodge City, she was airlifted to Wesley Hospital in Wichita.
Araceli’s husband, Ernesto drove and arrived a few hours later to find a large medical team waiting.
Doctors warned the baby had only a 25% chance of survival. After 12 days of treatment, Araceli developed a fever, and an emergency C-section was performed. Their son, Liam, was born in March 2020 at just 1 pound.
Liam spent six months in the NICU, facing serious complications, including infections, surgeries, and seizures. At one point, doctors feared he had only days to live.
Determined, his father advocated fiercely for him. “My baby is a fighter,” he told the care team.
About two weeks later, Liam began to improve.
The name Liam, meaning warrior, suddenly felt deeply fitting.
Liam’s extreme prematurity led to ongoing medical challenges, including two brain bleeds, vision concerns, and developmental delays. Yet he continues to make progress.
Today, Liam and his family travel to Wichita frequently for his many specialist appointments and therapies. During those trips, they stay at Ronald McDonald House Charities Wichita, a place that allows them to remain close to the medical care Liam needs while surrounded by comfort and support.
In March, Liam will turn six years old.
He is still fighting.
Still progressing.
Still proving that no prediction could define his future.
A true warrior in every sense of his name.
