NEW MEXICO When a pediatric ICU nurse took over the care of a very sick infant, she didnt realize the baby girl would eventually become her daughter.
Amber Boyd met little Nicole when the baby was just 3 months old. The baby suffered from a rare birth defect called omphalocele meaning her organs developed in a sack outside of her belly, according to Today. Because of her condition, the baby required heavy sedation, a ventilator and a breathing tube to keep her alive.
To make matters worse, the baby was fighting the battle alone Nicoles birth mothers parental rights were terminated.
Boyd told Today she bonded with the baby from day one. She requested the role of Nicoles primary nurse, which she was granted, Today reports. For 18 months, Boyd watched over Nicole as the medical team worked to keep her alive.
She is just a fighter, Boyd said. She is just a great kid.
As Nicoles condition improved, her future remained uncertain. With her birth parents out of the picture and her biological family unable to care for her, Nicole didnt have any kind of home waiting for her.
So Boyd decided to extend her duties beyond the ICU applying to become Nicoles foster mother.
I dont think I was surprised at all, honestly, Boyds husband, Taylor Boyd, told Today. It is very much in her nature she does everything she can to be selfless.
When the day finally came for the Boyds to take Nicole home, the little girl still required constant medical attention. The little girl still has a trach, and has undergone 13 surgeries so far, Today reports.
But over the course of the next 18 months, Nicole made strides no one ever dreamed shed make.
Shes incredible, Boyd said. She has learned in one short year to crawl, stand and walk.
Taylor Boyd told Today those developmental milestones were even more remarkable considering the core muscles required for sitting and standing werent even attached when Nicole first mastered each task.
In February, Nicole became a permanent member of the Boyd family when Amber and Taylor officially adopted her.
It is like a perfect fit, Boyd said. I dont know how to explain it, it was just right.
Doctors expect to be able to remove Nicoles trach and feeding tube soon and dont expect the now-3-year-old to have any permanent brain damage, Today reports.
Amber Boyd met little Nicole when the baby was just 3 months old. The baby suffered from a rare birth defect called omphalocele meaning her organs developed in a sack outside of her belly, according to Today. Because of her condition, the baby required heavy sedation, a ventilator and a breathing tube to keep her alive.
To make matters worse, the baby was fighting the battle alone Nicoles birth mothers parental rights were terminated.
Boyd told Today she bonded with the baby from day one. She requested the role of Nicoles primary nurse, which she was granted, Today reports. For 18 months, Boyd watched over Nicole as the medical team worked to keep her alive.
She is just a fighter, Boyd said. She is just a great kid.
As Nicoles condition improved, her future remained uncertain. With her birth parents out of the picture and her biological family unable to care for her, Nicole didnt have any kind of home waiting for her.
So Boyd decided to extend her duties beyond the ICU applying to become Nicoles foster mother.
I dont think I was surprised at all, honestly, Boyds husband, Taylor Boyd, told Today. It is very much in her nature she does everything she can to be selfless.
When the day finally came for the Boyds to take Nicole home, the little girl still required constant medical attention. The little girl still has a trach, and has undergone 13 surgeries so far, Today reports.
But over the course of the next 18 months, Nicole made strides no one ever dreamed shed make.
Shes incredible, Boyd said. She has learned in one short year to crawl, stand and walk.
Taylor Boyd told Today those developmental milestones were even more remarkable considering the core muscles required for sitting and standing werent even attached when Nicole first mastered each task.
In February, Nicole became a permanent member of the Boyd family when Amber and Taylor officially adopted her.
It is like a perfect fit, Boyd said. I dont know how to explain it, it was just right.
Doctors expect to be able to remove Nicoles trach and feeding tube soon and dont expect the now-3-year-old to have any permanent brain damage, Today reports.
