Baby Jet arrives early
On July 29, 2016, Bethany was admitted to Willow Creek Women’s Hospital with severe high blood pressure. She later was diagnosed with preeclampsia and severe hypertension. Bethany was labeled at high risk for stroke and other complications. On Aug. 3, 2016, doctors evaluated Bethany and decided it was best for both her and the baby to have an emergency C-section. The process happened so fast that from the time the doctors informed Bethany and Ryan of their decision, to the time the procedure was complete, it was less than one hour.
At 1:44 p.m. Jet Taylor Thetford took his first breath. He weighed 1 pound 6 ounces and was 12 inches long. He was born 16 weeks early, making Bethany only 24 weeks pregnant. He was so early that his eyes were still fused shut. Although he was small, he proved to be a fighter right off the bat. Jet stayed at Willow Creek NICU for one month and three days. During this time, he fought infections, possible heart problems and severe chronic lung disease along with receiving four blood transfusions.
On Sept. 6, Jet was airlifted to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock as he had an infection that he was unable to overcome. When he arrived at ACH, they diagnosed his infection as being E.coli. The infection was located through out his entire body and was in his blood stream. This caused his eyes and ears to be swollen shut. His body was so tight due to the swelling that the E.coli started to eat at his skin and left multiple “quarter size” holes through out his body. When Bethany and Ryan arrived at ACH, they were pulled to the side and informed that Jet probably wouldn’t make it through
the night. However, Jet being the fighter he is, he pulled through it all. Over the next few weeks, the swelling went down and the wounds began to heal. Jet also had to have more blood transfusions to keep him stable during this time.
After overcoming the E.coli infection, Jet was put on several breathing machines and respiratory therapy along with steroids to help develop his lungs. He also began to develop irregular blood vessels in both of his eyes, which could only be corrected by eye surgery. After four months of eye exams, his eyes corrected themselves and no surgery was required. In December 2016, Jet began feeding through a bottle. Over a three-week time period, he progressed from taking only one bottle a day, to now taking eight bottles a day. Jet is currently receiving all feedings through a bottle and is on minimum oxygen settings.
There is a common phrase called the “NICU Roller Coaster,” and both Bethany and Ryan can attest to this saying. The NICU experience has definitely been a roller coaster through the entire process.
However, Bethany and Ryan have been blessed through it all. All the love, prayers and support from their friends and family along with the wonderful community have been such a blessing. But most of all, all the glory belongs to God who is the true healer. Jet would not be alive today if not for the grace of God. Jet has overcome so much, all without surgery. Without the working hand of God, this would have never been possible.