that affects lungs and airways causing damage and scar tissue in the tiny air sacs. Consequently, they both got a Tracheostomy tube to breathe and, currently, are still dependent on a ventilator. Between all of the surgeries and scares, it’s easy to forget about us, the parents, or the world outside of the NICU. It is easy to lose hope and hard to live in fear. When Damian was diagnosed with Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), a life-threatening illness in the intestines, causing perforations, it took our experience to a whole new level of worry. His illness ended up causing surgeons to cut 10cm of his intestine and him living with his insides in a bag protruding from his body for 6 months.