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SearchCrosby was in Cleveland Clinic Children's NICU longer than any other patient
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For his second birthday party, Crosby Gebura was surrounded by loved ones – mom Courtney, dad Justin, other family members and several nurses and staff from Cleveland Clinic Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Crosby celebrates his 2nd birthday at home after 18 months in our NICU – longer than any other patient! His story: https://t.co/VPdYJ0ftaG pic.twitter.com/ql454Nr9u0
— Cleveland Clinic (@ClevelandClinic) September 26, 2017
A recent celebration held special significance for all in attendance, because a year ago, for Crosby’s first birthday, September 21, 2016, he was not at the Gebura’s Akron home. It took place in the only home he knew at the time, about 30 miles away, in a NICU room filled with medical equipment.
“It really was 30 people – doctors, nurses, therapists – who helped us raise Crosby through the first year and more of his life,” says Courtney. “Without their support, I don’t think any of us would have made it through.”
When Crosby finally went home from the NICU in May 2017, he left holding the record for the longest-ever stay in Cleveland Clinic Children’s NICU – more than 18 months.
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Twelve weeks premature, and weighing only 2 pounds, 8 ounces, Crosby entered the world with odds stacked against him. He was born with omphalocele, a rare birth defect of the abdominal wall in which the intestines, liver and other organs remain outside the abdomen. Other life-threatening complications that can be common in newborns who are preemies also ensued, including a pulmonary hemorrhage, digestive and liver issues and a partially collapsed lung.
Despite enduring countless surgeries and procedures to correct the omphalocele and his other conditions, Crosby was a happy baby. “You can always get a reaction from him. You see him smile, you hear him laugh,” explains Courtney. “The nurses would say that if they had a bad day, they would just need a hug from Crosby.”
As the weeks and months passed, the Geburas endured a rollercoaster of emotions. “There were many high points, and then something would come up and we’d get knocked back down,” recalls Justin. “Luckily, Courtney and I are almost as tough as Crosby. We were there for each other, and he was there for us.”
Even in the NICU, the family settled into a daily routine. “We would do things you would normally do with your newborn,” says Courtney. “Like reading him books, having bath time and putting him to bed. The NICU was our living room and bedroom.”
RELATED: Cleveland Clinic Children’s provide families live webcam access to their NICU infants
Despite the long days, they never lost hope that, one day, they would all go home together. And after 18 months, that time finally arrived.
“Driving in a car, hearing a vacuum cleaner. The things we take for granted, Crosby was experiencing for the first time.” explains Courtney. “To watch his eyes light up was amazing. He’s thriving. His therapists are amazed at how far he’s come.”
Dr. Ricardo Rodriguez, a neonatologist at Cleveland Clinic Children’s who has overseen Crosby’s care since birth, describes his progress as inspirational for the entire staff. “Crosby touched the lives of everyone in the NICU, and taught us to never, ever give up.”
During his four months at home, Crosby has started walking and talking. He can now eat by mouth, without the need of feeding tubes. And that makes those big bites of of birthday cake at Crosby’s party that much sweeter for everyone this year.
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. Cleveland Clinic is consistently recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 81,000 employees worldwide are more than 5,743 salaried physicians and researchers, and 20,160 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,690-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 23 hospitals, 276 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2023, there were 13.7 million outpatient encounters, 323,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 301,000 surgeries and procedures throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 132 countries. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at twitter.com/CleClinicNews. News and resources available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.
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