Two must be Ella Wombacker’s lucky number. 2020 looks very bright for the little girl as she heads home to Pennsylvania after 222 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Ella has on her best outfit for her ride home. Her mother, Aunt “Gikky” designed her onesie, which says, “Moving in with my parents #Finally”
Born with central nuclear myopathy, a muscular disorder, Ella deals with muscle weakness throughout her body. That doesn’t stop her from charming the whole NICU floor, though.
The Wombacker family celebrated many milestones in the NICU, including Ella’s first Halloween, Christmas, and family photo.
Soon after her birth, Ella was whisked off to Akron Children’s where she met her admitting nurse, Lisa York. The two would become quite a pair over the next 7 months.
Ella made many friends in the NICU, many of whom stopped by her room before she left for goodbyes and quick photos.
During her time in the NICU, she went “trick or treating” in her Wonder Woman costume, met Santa, and spent precious moments with her family.
To keep Ella’s joints and muscles as flexible as possible, her legs were casted. Visitors made sure to leave special notes for her to go home with.
In addition to Lisa York, Ella also spent a lot of time with Dr. Scott Schachinger , even before her birth. Dr. Schachinger was with Alyson during a prenatal ultrasound, the birth of Ella, and Ella’s admittance to Akron Children’s. He made sure to stop by Ella’s room to wish her and her family well.
Ella’s mother Alyson, nurse Lisa York, and Dr. Scott Schachinger pose with Ella before the transport team gets her ready to go.
With mom and both grandmas watching with tears in their eyes, the transport team gets Ella and her medical supplies ready. To assist her breathing, Ella had a tracheotomy, and now has a vent that breaths for her through a tube that goes through her neck called a trach tube. All of these items need to be carefully packed up for the hour and 15 minute drive home to where her dad, Aaron, is waiting after prepping the house for her arrival.
Nurse Rebecca Pelfrey embraces Ella’s mother, Alyson, as they follow Ella and the transport team out.
After all of the goodbyes have been said, tears have been wiped, and bag has been packed, sweet little Ella makes her grand exit with her entourage of family and friends. The exit is bittersweet for Akron Children’s NICU, as it always is. Good luck, Ella and family!
Baby Ella is on the move! The little girl is ready to take on her new life at home.
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