Ava Blair's Amazing Story

Linda Blair was diagnosed with breast cancer at 19 weeks pregnant. Since her cancer was aggressive, she started chemotherapy soon after being diagnosed. After three rounds of chemo, and at 27 weeks pregnant, Linda’s water broke and she delivered her daughter
Ava early.

“We went to the hospital via ambulance and luckily made it hours before Ava was born by emergency c-section,” said Linda’s husband, Rob. “Ava weighed 2 pounds, 2 ounces when she was born. We were given donor breast milk since Linda couldn’t breast feed due to her chemotherapy, this was much appreciated.”

Because they live in Corvallis, Linda and Rob stayed in the Children's Miracle Network Lion's Patient Family Guest House for more than two months while Ava was being cared for in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend.

“Staying nearby was a huge benefit for us, and allowed us to visit our daughter much more often and for longer durations than had we been forced to commute every day,” said Rob. “I’m certain our ability to be with our daughter for longer periods of time contributed to her steady improvement while in the NICU.”

After over 10 weeks in the NICU, Ava was discharged home, just shy of 6 pounds in weight and healthy. Linda completed five more rounds of chemotherapy after Ava was born, while she was in the NICU.

“Being near our daughter during these difficult times was so much appreciated,” said Rob. “Our family sends our gratitude to Sacred Heart for it’s support of the Guest House and the Children’s Miracle Network.”

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