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IDAHO FALLS — Kaio Doxey’s story has been called miraculous.
The tiny baby boy, born 16 weeks before he was due, measured less than 11 inches and weighed 435 grams — a little more than a can of soda.
His eyes were sealed shut. His skin was red and shiny. His mother, Jessica Doxey, said he looked more like an alien than an infant.
But over the past four months, Kaio has defied the odds and on Nov. 13, two weeks after his original due date, the now 7.5 pound infant finally met his big sister and went home from Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, EastIdahoNews.com reported.
“I don’t even know if I really believe it,” Jessica Doxey said minutes before walking out of the hospital. “I’m just excited to go home and finally have a normal life — whatever it may be.”
Jessica and her husband, Kaio Doxey Sr., have spent hundreds of hours in the NICU since July 7 – watching, holding, rocking and loving their son. They often wondered if he would ever be healthy enough to leave.
“I was like, ‘Oh, he’s going to be in here until he’s 18. I’m going to send him off to college and that’s just going to be his life,'” Kaio Sr. said with a laugh. “I’ve been legitimately worried about my son surviving but right now he’s really healthy and we want to keep him that way.”
EastIdahoNews.com first introduced the world to Kaio in August — days after he had received his first bath in his isolette. Since then, he’s had a few blood transfusions and eye surgery but other than that, things have been relatively smooth.
“We’ve had a really unremarkable course which is remarkable,” said EIRMC neonatologist Dr. Wyc Cheatham. “He is leaving with a tube to help him feed and some oxygen but parents can do all that at home.”
If everything goes as planned, Kaio should be off the oxygen and feeding tubes within a few months. He will continue to see doctors regularly until he turns two and then his health should be similar to other children.
“By no means is it going to be the easiest thing in the world but I think that we’re ready,” Kaio Sr. said.
The Doxeys said it’s somewhat bittersweet leaving the hospital because the doctors and nurses have helped their family so much over the last four months.
“I’m going to miss everybody because they’re really friends and family now,” Jessica said as she helped Kaio Sr. pack up their belongings and places baby Kaio in a carseat for the first time.
They walked into the lobby of the NICU and Kaio’s 2-year-old sister, Stella, was waiting with their grandmother. The older sibling hadn’t met her brother yet as children aren’t allowed in the NICU to reduce the risk of illness.
“Baby Kaio!” Stella said excitedly as she saw him and pointed to his toes and fingers.
The family, together for the first time, walked out of the hospital doors. They got into their truck and drove home — ready for their future.
“I don’t see any reason why he can’t be state cross country champ and valedictorian at the same time,” Cheatham said. “That would be my hope.”
"It’s going to be great to have our family back together again," Kaio Sr. said.
Author's note: Jessica Doxey had a sign she kept near Kaio’s bed as his progress improved. She often changed the words and says it was a bright spot that helped distract from some of the less pleasant parts of hospital life. She has started a GoFundMe account* to raise money that will be used to purchase similar signs that will remain permanently in the NICU.
Click here for more information.
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*KSL.com does not assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
