THE parents of a miracle baby born at 25 weeks are releasing a diary of their time in hospital.

Phil Juniper and his wife Lisa spent 123 days in a neonatal intensive care unit at St Mary’s Hospital in Manchester in the run up to the birth of second son Theo. He was born weighing just 1lb 14oz. 

The couple, who also spent 111 days in the nearby Ronald McDonald House, have spoken of their joy at the birth in June. And the pair, who live with their 11-year-old son Jack in Bury, are sharing their journey online.

Mr Juniper, aged 41, said: “He was hooked up to all the machines and wheeled off. It was surreal and such a relief when we saw he was alive and breathing and he hadn’t been without oxygen. It took about three hours until we could see him, we lived in hope.”

During their time in the NICU, Mr Juniper kept a diary of all the milestones and setbacks the family lived through and he is now sharing their journey online at theosnicujourney.com. Each day he is releasing a new entry. 

In the coming months, Mr Juniper will be telling the story of Theo’s journey as he battled sepsis, a brain bleed and a hole in his heart. 
Mr Juniper said: “Theo got sepsis and they told us he wasn’t going to make it through the weekend but he pulled through. They suspected he had necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) but that turned out not to be the case. 

“On day 20 he was developing chronic lung disease because he wasn’t coming off the respirator and he started with bradycardic (slow heart) episodes, he was going through a rough time. 

“He was about two or three weeks old when we got to pick him up for the first time. Lisa got to hold him first, then it was my turn. He opened his eyes on day 21. 

“He was trying for a few days, I was having to take Jack to school and it was amazing as we just waited for that little thing. It was very much one step forward and two steps back after a few weeks.

“On his one month birthday it was also our anniversary and one of the nurses made us a card from him with a footprint. Jack took us out for a curry to celebrate.

“Lisa really struggled, she was really anxious. She really struggled to be away from him, that went on right to end.”

Eventually Theo was able to come off a ventilator after having a number of relapses and after 123 days in NICU the family were able to bring him to their town centre home. 

Mr Juniper said: “Lisa was emotional to say the least and when we got home it was relaxed. We got to get up every day and sit in our pyjamas and do nothing. 

“No one came round except Lisa’s mum and sister and we just spent every waking hour looking at him and thanking the Lord he was here and had made it.”

Despite their joy at getting Theo home, the family were given the devastating news he was deaf. 

The hospital told Mr and Mrs Juniper that Theo’s deafness was unlikely to get better but his chronic lung disease is expected to go away in the next few months. 

The family still has a long road a head of them and Mr Juniper revealed they wouldn’t know until Theo starts walking and talking whether there has been any lasting brain damage. 

Mr Juniper said: “With the deafness they don’t think it’s going to get better but it appears he can hear us with his hearing aids. We’re hoping the future is bright. Jack goes to Bury Grammar School and all he wants is for Theo to go to Bury Grammar too and have these chances. He wants him to have everything that he has.”

Mr Juniper added: “We were in Ronald McDonald House for 111 days free of charge. Without them I think Lisa would have had a nervous breakdown, we wouldn’t have been able to cope.”

The family are hoping to give back to Ronald McDonald House and St Mary’s NICU, which gave them so much. 

A link to their Go Fund Me page is available on theosnicujourney.com.