FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Born on June 18 at 25 weeks, Ramier Devilus is finally going home with his family.
Thursday morning, the 6-month-old was discharged from Broward Health.
Devilus was born weighing 2 pounds and 4 ounces with his twin brother, who did not survive.
“I was pregnant with two boys. I did have to have an emergency C-section at 25 weeks,” said Rachell Eusebio, Devilus’ mother.
Shortly after, he developed Necrotizing Enterocolitis, which infected and destroyed all but six centimeters of his small intestine.
“He had a condition that developed in his intestines, Necrotizing Enterocolitis,” said Dr. Debora Duro from the Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital. “He lost practically his entire intestine, leaving him with just about three inches or less.”
Because of his inability to absorb nutrients, Devilus then developed short bowel disease and liver disease, which carries an 80 percent mortality rate.
“He was doing great at first, and I breast fed him, and then … he got the intestinal infection, and it got really, really bad,” Eusebio said. “It’s like, I had already lost one son, and they were basically telling me it’s over for him.”
“They were pretty much telling me that we’re riding it out until he can’t ride it out anymore,” added Eusebio, “but I was brought up in a Christian household, and we do a lot of praying.”
Devilus was eventually transferred to Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital at Broward Health, where doctors created a rehabilitation treatment for his intestines.
This treatment, administered orally and through IV, provided Devilus with nutritional supplements to help him with his growth and development.
“So when he came, he was very yellow. He was very sick. Under my care, and our wonderful team here at NICU, we were able to manage,” said Duro, “and nowadays, as you can see, he’s very healthy after three months.”
Devilus has been at Broward Health for three months since being transferred from another hospital when his condition became severe.
“There were so many threats against him, but I told those doctors, ‘You don’t know my God,'” said Evelyn Eusebio, Devilus’ grandmother, “and now we see the day that he is in a condition to come home, where he can get more love.”
Within those three months, his intestines grew an additional six to eight centimeters, and he no longer suffers from liver disease.
“The intestine is going to continue growing and adapting as he’s growing as well. He is a very fortunate baby to come to Broward and having the care of us,” said Duro. “We are probably one of the only institutions in South Florida that offer full intestinal rehabilitation.”
The family is now appreciative of the staff and doctors for all their hard work in helping Devilus recover.
“I’m so thankful and so grateful because it really has been a hard journey,” said Devilus’ mother. “It really has been hard to have a baby and not have your son next to you, to know that you already lost a son, and this is your strength.”
“I will tell the nurses, the staff here, the doctor — ugh, they are my angels,” added Devilus’ grandmother.
Devilus is now weighing in at 12 pounds and will have to continue to take his nutritional supplements.
Doctors will also continue to monitor his progress, but his prognosis is said to be positive.
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