'Miracle' baby taken off life support, survives and celebrates her first birthday
Temple Hills, MD. (ABC7) — 11-month-old Phoenix Da'Vine was born with a detrimental heart condition.
At seven months old, she suffered cardiac arrest which led to serious complications.
"She was blue. I shook her face and lifted her arm up, it went limp" recalls her mother, Monique Goldring.
Tonosha Johnson, her pediatrician, says because of this she suffered major brain damage. "The injury was caused by not enough oxygen to the brain."
Baby Phoenix was placed on life support.
It was then, doctors determined she would not have a good quality of life.
A tough decision followed for her mother.
Monique was faced with a decision on whether to keep baby Phoenix on life support or put her on hospice care.
"I prayed. I asked her to let me know if she's tired," says Monique. "She turned around and looked directly at me. That's when I knew she was tired."
Doctors told Monique she would only have six hours when they take her off life support.
Monique and the rest of the family prepared for their final goodbyes.
"Watch over your mommy in heaven. We will never forget you or your family" a nurse wrote. Even doctors and nurses wrote heartfelt messages for Monique as they prepared to take her off life support in April 2019.
"I went home that night. A lot of people will think that's crazy but I was at peace with her," says Monique. "I called the next morning and they said she was up and hanging out."
A few seconds, hours, days, and months later - Phoenix is now at home and will soon celebrate her first birthday on August 25th.
"She is continuing to defy the medical odds by living and thriving beyond what many expected" explains Johnson.
"We have to celebrate this milestone" laughs Monique.
Phoenix lives on oxygen, feeding tubes and around the clock medication with the help of Monique and her family and friends.
However, baby Phoenix is still in need of two surgeries. According to Monique, Inova and Children's National have declined to move forward fearing that she will not survive the surgery.
But, Monique won't stop there. "I am desperately hoping that somebody will look at her case and perform this surgery on her."
"The doctors say she won't walk, won't talk. I stress that she may not be doing those things right now but I was also told that she would be gone in six hours. So, I am going to just sit back and watch her thrive."
The family has set up a gofundme account to help pay with medical bills.
