Alexandria Family Grateful For Life-Saving Care In NICU

ALEXANDRIA, VA—When Alexandria resident Michelle Bullard gave birth and learned her child Avery was being whisked away for emergency treatment, she couldn't help thinking of the time she spent in the hospital when her dad died. But this time around, there was a happy ending.

After having a normal, healthy pregnancy, Michelle and her husband Benjy received some shocking news when she went into labor at Virginia Hospital Center. Doctors found the baby's heart rate was dropping with every contraction and knew they had to get the baby out through a C-section.

The surgery was difficult for Michelle, as she had just lost her dad to surgery during her pregnancy. The new mother's fears grew as Avery was whisked away to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) after the birth. Avery was transferred to the NICU at Children's National Hospital while Michelle stayed in the hospital temporarily to recover from surgery.

"Losing my dad was such a traumatic thing," Michelle Bullard told Patch in a phone interview. "When this happened to Avery, I went into shock. I couldn't register that I could lose my baby."

Before long, Michelle could join Benjy to hear from Avery's doctors at Children's National. Doctors diagnosed Avery with Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE), which means an infant’s brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen and blood and the infant could be having seizures not visible on the outside. The condition is considered dangerous and requires prompt medical treatment.

Children's National used the NICU cooling beds as treatment for Avery's condition. The rest was history.

"She was one of their miracle babies," Michelle Bullard told Patch. "She went from seizures not stopping to totally turned around."

Avery came out of Children's National with medications and follow-up appointments. Today, she's as healthy as any normal kindergartener. "You wouldn't ever know she had experienced that when she was an infant," said Michelle.

To thank the hospital for the care, the Bullards have supported the annual Race for Every Child, where patients, families and other supports raise money for Children's National. Michelle has always been an avid runner, and running with Avery is special given her miraculous recovery. Had Avery not recovered, she could have suffered long-term brain damage or not have been able to walk. The spunky kindergartener ran in the kids' race last year and clocks an impressive 13-minute mile.

"We have wanted to continue to be involved. We're just so thankful for the care she received," said Michelle Bullard.

Since Michelle and Benjy Bullard had more children, they're reminded of what they've overcome with Avery. That memory resonated again when they welcomed twins on Sept. 17.

The Race for Every Child will be held Oct. 20 at Freedom Plaza in DC.

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Avery Bullard at the 2017 Race for Every Child, courtesy Children’s National Health System