Preschooler thriving after overcoming 118-day NICU stay

(SUNMAN, Ind.) – A Sunman girl is happy and healthy after overcoming some major medical obstacles early in her life.

Davina Pantoja was born at just 25 weeks and weighed only 2 pounds. She spent the first 118 days of her life inside the NICU at an Indianapolis hospital. 

“Those 118 days were filled with uncertainty, challenges, milestones, prayers, and so much gratitude,” said her mom, Kaylee. 

There were many obstacles including simple things like drinking from a bottle. Davina struggled with that and had to have a G-tube placed.

There were other struggles along the way and it continued after she was released from the NICU.

Once she was home, the young girl and her family had doctor and therapy appointments for several years.

Davina is now 4-years-old and recently finished all of her at-home therapies and also graduated from all of her specialists at the children’s hospital too.

She is now a preschooler at St. Nicholas Catholic School and doing great! 

September is NICU Awareness Month and the Pantoja family is sharing their story to recognize the babies, families and medical professionals that are in NICU's.

“This is a time to recognize the strength of these tiny babies, the families who spend days, weeks, and months by their sides, and the amazing medical professionals who care for them,” Kaylee said. 

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The family credits the healthcare professionals that have helped Davina get to where she is today. One of those healthcare professionals the family is recognizing is primary nurse Julie Allen. 

Davina may no longer be a patient at the hospital but the staff hasn’t forgot her. Her photo is displayed on the wall at St. Vincent Women’s and Infants Hospital today.

RELATED: Meet another Sunman girl who spent the first 10 months of her life in the NICU. Read that story here.