The Slade triplets were born premature at 25 weeks 5 days. Isabelle weighed 1lb 14oz., Gracie 1lb 6 oz., and Emma weighed 1lb 2 oz. Emma and Gracie spent 95 days in the NICU at Midtown Medical Center in Columbus, GA. A week into Gracie’s NICU stay, the Slade’s were called by her doctor and told to come be with her at the hospital because they were afraid she wouldn’t make it through the night. She had developed a serious infection which had the doctors and nurses doing everything they could to help her survive. After a few weeks of treatments, she made a full recovery. Although Emma was the smallest of her sisters, she avoided any major complications. Isabelle spent 102 days in the NICU. She had a brain hemorrhage that caused hydrocephalus where fluid around the brain doesn’t drain properly. Due to her size she originally had surgery to place a ventricular reservoir so that the fluid could be manually drained. As she grew she had another surgery to remove the reservoir and place a permanent shunt in to drain the fluid. She later had a shunt revision surgery that was required to remove the shunt. She was monitored to see if the shunt was still necessary and luckily we found out it was no longer needed. She also developed hemiplegia from the damage to her brain causing stiffness in her left arm and leg. She currently has her orthopedic follow ups with CHOA and receives physical and occupational therapy in Columbus. Shortly after birth Isabelle also developed Retinopathy of Prematurity where the blood vessels in her eye did not form correctly. During her NICU stay she was transported to Egleston in Atlanta to have laser surgery on her eyes to correct the issue. Now the triplets are healthy, happy girls.