For Joshlynn, the journey began at just 26 weeks gestation. Born extremely premature, she developed severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a chronic lung condition that can make breathing and recovery especially difficult for premature babies. As her condition became more complicated, large air-filled spaces called pneumatoceles began expanding in her lungs. Surgery was needed, but Joshlynn was too fragile to safely undergo the procedure without additional support. Her care at Children’s Mercy brought together several specialized programs that would help her through the most critical moments and, eventually, toward home.
When ECMO Made Surgery Possible
For Joshlynn, that additional support came from ECMO, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. ECMO is an advanced form of life support that temporarily does some of the work normally performed by the heart and lungs. Blood is circulated outside the body through a machine that adds oxygen and removes carbon dioxide before returning it to the body, giving the lungs time to rest while doctors address the underlying problem. In Joshlynn’s case, ECMO provided the stability her team needed to safely remove the most severely damaged areas of her lungs. It also allowed her care team to continue supporting her development during a critical period, incorporating therapy, feeding opportunities and engagement whenever she was stable enough.
Care That Looked Beyond Her Lungs
Getting through surgery was a major turning point, but Joshlynn’s recovery was far from over. Her severe BPD meant she needed continued respiratory support as well as attention to her growth, feeding, mobility and development. Children’s Mercy’s chronic lung disease team provided that broader support, helping Joshlynn continue making progress while also navigating the many challenges that can come with severe BPD. As part of the international BPD Collaborative, Children’s Mercy also works with other centers to advance care for children with complex chronic lung disease, helping families like Joshlynn’s benefit from an evolving understanding of how best to support these fragile children.
Finding a Way Home
Eventually, Joshlynn was ready to leave the hospital, but going home did not mean leaving her medical needs behind. She continued to require respiratory support and specialized follow-up through Children’s Mercy’s Infant Tracheostomy and Home Ventilator Program, which helps children and families make the transition from intensive hospital care to life at home. Today, Joshlynn is continuing to grow and make progress, working toward greater independence from her ventilator and reaching developmental milestones. Her journey is a remarkable one, from a 26-week premature birth and severe BPD to surgery, ECMO and, ultimately, life at home.
What happened next for Joshlynn?
After such an extraordinary start to life, her journey was far from over. Read Joshlynn’s full story from Children’s Mercy and discover where her remarkable journey has taken her.
