20 Oct She’s My Miracle Baby

Posted at 15:13h in Family Stories by

The Marshall family has five children, Nathan, Natalie, Natalia, Elizabeth, and Izabella. The family has been coming to the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware for the past eight years ever since their oldest son Nathan was born. Four of the children have been seen at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children. When asked how many times they have stayed at the House, Kimberly said “probably over one hundred times” with their longest stay over eight months.

Izabella is the youngest of their children. This little girl is truly a fighter. She was born September 10, 2014, 15 weeks premature weighing just one pound three ounces. In addition to being premature, Izabella was born with spinal meningitis, an infection of the fluid and membranes around the brain and spinal cord. Once the infection starts it can spread rapidly throughout the body. Izabella also developed enterovirus, a respiratory illness. Kimberly said “it was very scary because they met families of other children who developed the same illness who sadly passed away.” Izabella was also born with a hole in the left and right atriums of her heart. Because this can cause problems with her heart and lungs, Izabella will have to undergo surgery in the future when she’s stronger to repair the holes.

After Izabella’s outpatient appointments, Kimberly is hopeful she and Izabella will be home for four year old daughter Natalia’s birthday. Being the good little sister that Izabella is, she helped pick out a present from the treasure chest to give to her sister for her birthday.