Meet our 2017 Miracle Children

Wyatt Garab (poster child) – On July 14, 2016, six-year-old Wyatt was at home playing on his iPad when he started complaining of a really bad headache. Within the hour, he began to vomit and became lethargic. He was rushed to his local hospital in Jacksonville, NC where they immediately performed a CT scan. The results showed that Wyatt had a bleed in his brain. He was then air lifted to James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at Vidant Medical Center.

Further CT scans showed Wyatt had a ruptured brain aneurysm on the right side of his brain. During the rupture, he also formed a blood clot in his brain. He had to receive two back-to-back brain surgeries to seal off the opening of the aneurism and then a craniotomy to allow the brain to swell during healing.

He spent weeks in our pediatric intensive care unit (PICU ) as well as our pediatric rehab unit. The usual recovery time for this kind of injury is at least a year, but Wyatt is a true miracle and has completely surprised his doctors and nurses. After just 7 months since the rupture, he no longer needs a wheelchair or helmet. He is running and playing like he was before. The only thing he has to wear is a brace on his left leg.

Wyatt’s determination and courage is an inspiration to all. He’s our miracle. Our warrior.

Rhettec Galaska – In February 2014, 8 year old Rhettec was diagnosed with T-Cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a cancer of the  lymphatic system which is part of the immune system. He received chemotherapy at James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital and was in and out for treatment over the course of 2 and a half years. In June 2016, he received his final chemotherapy treatment. Now, at 11, he’s back to playing sports again and was even “drafted” to the East Carolina University Baseball team at the end of last year.

Sierra Scott – In June 2016, Sierra was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, cancer of the lymphatic system. She went through 5 chemotherapy treatments and 14 radiation treatments at James and Connie Maynard Hospital. We are excited that 13 year old Sierra is now in remission and celebrating the removal of her mediport!

Braxton Manning – Braxton was born prematurely at 27 weeks and weighed just 2 pounds 2 ounces. He spent his first 146 days in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). That’s almost 5 months! He developed necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) that resulted in him needing to have all but 18 cm of his intestines removed. Usually when this happens a child has to get their nutrition through an intravenous route or by a G-Tube, however as of November 2016, he eats only by mouth and his G-Tube is being discontinued! Thanks to the comprehensive team at James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital this little miracle is developing appropriately for his gestational age and is a happy, healthy one-year-old.

Jeremiah Seaberry – 11 year old Jeremiah and was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease at birth. Sickle Cell is a genetic disease of the red blood cells. He has had many admissions to James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital due to Acute Chest Syndrome, fevers, infections, and gall bladder removal. Jeremiah is doing well and excelling in school.