Eleanor – 7 Months Old, NICU Patient

“They made us feel like our daughter was their main priority, which gave me peace of mind when I had to go home and couldn’t be with her.”

Eleanor’s NICU story

At seven months old, Eleanor has battled more health issues than most adults. Born two months early with Down syndrome, she faced stomach surgery at just two days old and spent the first month of her life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Niswonger Children’s Hospital.

“It was hard being away from her when she was in the NICU, but the nurses and doctors were amazing,” says Elizabeth. “They made us feel like our daughter was their main priority, which gave me peace of mind when I had to go home and couldn’t be with her.”

Then, one week after Eleanor was released from the NICU, she was diagnosed with leukemia, sometimes associated with Down’s, and was back at the hospital to begin pediatric oncology care.

Now home and happy, Eleanor visits Niswonger Children’s Hospital monthly to see her pediatric gastroenterologist, Dr. Anjali Malkani, and makes another monthly visit to see a pediatric oncologist to monitor the leukemia.

“It’s a blessing to live so near the hospital,” says Eleanor’s mother, Elizabeth. “There are so many great doctors specializing in just what she needs. They are truly invested in taking care of your child.”

“I would tell other parents in our situation to have no worries about your baby’s care – they are getting the best care they can get.”

About Niswonger Children’s

In 2004, our region embraced a vision to serve our children and help them build healthier futures through the creation of a children’s hospital. Now a reality, Niswonger Children’s Hospital provides care for more than 200,000 children living in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.

Learn more about Niswonger Children’s Hospital.