Pensacola mom visits the care team that saved her son’s life

When Zeph was born, he faced several challenges as a premature baby. Born prematurely at 35 weeks and 6 days, he required immediate medical intervention. Although his need to receive advanced care as an infant disheartened his family, they remained hopeful about the care he would receive at Studer Children’s Hospital in Pensacola, Florida.

The initial worries accompanying prematurity flooded his family's thoughts. Still, against the odds, Zeph displayed impressive strength from his first moments. To the family's relief, he never needed the NICU, easing one of their greatest concerns. Instead, Zeph spent only a few hours under observation, seamlessly transitioning into life outside the womb and showcasing his fighting spirit right from the start.

Zeph and his mother, Liz, returned home from the hospital together. Being a premature baby, he required extra care but quickly adjusted to feeding times and slept soundly. From the beginning, he thrived, and his family looked forward to the adventures and joys of parenthood.

The day before Valentine's Day, Zeph began to vomit. Although he continued to eat, his appetite wasn't as strong as before, and he became fussy. Liz suspected he might have a tummy ache. That night, Zeph cried uncontrollably and appeared to be in pain. His parents could barely put him down for more than ten minutes at a time, and he continued to cry even while being fed. In the morning, Liz made an appointment with the on-call pediatrician, feeling that something must be wrong with Zeph's gastrointestinal tract—perhaps reflux or severe constipation.

Liz was aware of how fragile life can be as a parent, especially regarding her little boy. Unfortunately, a concern for Zeph's health took an unexpected turn when Liz noticed he felt colder than usual. She immediately sensed that something was wrong. When the on-call pediatrician took his temperature, it registered at just 96.6 degrees—Zeph was indeed cold. 

Babies can be unpredictable; instead of exhibiting common signs of illness, such as a fever, they sometimes experience a drop in temperature when they are unwell. Following this alarming discovery, the pediatrician instructed the family to go to the emergency room for lab work and informed them that Zeph would likely need to be admitted for IV antibiotics.

Liz faced her worst nightmare. Her two-week-old son, Zeph, was in need of urgent medical attention. In a state of fear and anxiety, she rushed him to the emergency room at Studer Family Children's Hospital. The atmosphere changed rapidly from concern to urgency as the dedicated staff intervened with remarkable compassion, promptly initiating lab work.

While holding Zeph in her arms, Liz was overwhelmed by a whirlwind of emotions—fear, anxiety, and the familiar dread that every parent experiences when their child is in distress. Reflecting on that harrowing experience, Liz shares, "It's hard not to think of the worst-case scenarios when you see your child in distress."

Liz knew Zeph would be particularly susceptible to infections due to his prematurity. She had been careful to protect him from germs. While the triage nurse was taking Zeph's vital signs, Liz noticed his eye starting to twitch; it was his first seizure. The nurse promptly scooped him up and carried him into the ER, where two doctors, three nurses, and two paramedics surrounded him and began working on him. Liz stood in the corner of the ER room, dumbfounded "how could my little baby be so sick?” In shock, she could barely answer the questions they were asking me.

After the lab results returned, the family learned that Zeph would likely need to be admitted for IV antibiotics. The diagnosis was more serious than they had anticipated. However, they felt reassured knowing they were in the right place, with attentive pediatric medical specialists ready to assist. In that moment, Liz was reminded of how crucial it is for parents to trust their instincts and seek help when something feels wrong.

Zeph was deteriorating so rapidly that he didn't even flinch when the nurse started his IV. The doctors suspected meningitis. Labs were drawn, IV antibiotics were initiated, and tests were ordered. Zeph began to experience episodes where his breathing stopped and his heart rate dropped. The pediatric ICU (PICU) doctor came to the emergency room to examine Zeph, and a CT scan of his head was ordered. Zeph was intubated before the scan to ensure that he could breathe during the procedure.

After the CT scan, Zeph was scheduled to be transferred directly to the PICU. His parents were escorted to the PICU waiting area. When Zeph arrived in his PICU room, the doctor asked the parents to sit in his office to review the images from the scan. Liz couldn't believe her eyes. Zeph's right brain ventricle was filled with blood, and it was spilling over into the left side as well. She kept staring at his name on the screen, trying to confirm that it was indeed Zeph's scan they were looking at.

"It's not an automatic death sentence," the doctor told us. The neurosurgeon had already been contacted and was on his way to evaluate Zeph.

What followed was the longest week of Liz's life. Zeph didn't open his eyes for three days. Another two days passed before Liz could hold him in her arms again. Liz cried every time she woke up and realized it wasn't just a terrible dream. "It felt so unfair." She had dedicated her career to saving other people's babies, yet she couldn't save her own.

Gradually, Zeph began to show signs of improvement. His family remained uncertain about what had happened to him and what the outcome might be. However, by the second day, they received encouraging news from his doctor, who believed that a full recovery was possible. Each test yielded more hopeful results; Zeph's brain wave patterns improved, and he started to move and respond more actively. His lab results were returning to normal. Unfortunately, the doctors could not definitely say what caused the hemorrhage. Sometimes, things happen without explanation.

Zeph, now a healthy ten-year-old, and his mom, Liz, visit Studer Family Children's Hospital ER to deliver Valentine's treats and show their heartfelt appreciation for the specialized care Zeph received. The staff welcomes them with smiles reflecting the strong bond they have formed through their shared experiences.