Araceli went to her hometown hospital in Dodge City because she was experiencing pain. Doctors ran blood tests and other exams, but no one discovered the pregnancy. Instead, she was told she had a tumor. The news left the family extremely worried. 

Later, while visiting Mexico, they sought another medical opinion. After additional testing, they found that she did not have a tumor but was in fact three and a half months pregnant. 

When they returned to the United States, the pregnancy continued until around 23 weeks. About a week before the emergency, Araceli began feeling pain and went to the emergency room, but she was sent home. A week later, the pain returned — and on the way to the hospital, her water broke at just 23 weeks.

At the hospital in Dodge City, the family was told there was nothing the facility could do for either mother or baby due to a lack of specialized equipment.

Araceli was immediately airlifted to Wesley hospital in Wichita. Araceli’s husband, Ernesto drove and arrived a few hours later to find a large medical team waiting.

Doctors explained the devastating reality: the baby had only about a 25% chance of survival if he was born right now. As long as Liam’s mother did not develop a fever, medication might help give the baby more time. She remained hospitalized for 12 days receiving treatment.

When she later developed a fever, doctors said an emergency C-section was necessary. By then, the baby’s survival chances had improved to 40%.

Liam was born in March of 2020, weighing just 1lb. He would spend the next six months in the hospital.

In the NICU, Liam required aggressive respiratory support, multiple blood transfusions, surgeries, and treatment for infections and seizures.

At one point, things got so bad that one of  the head doctors predicted that Liam might only live for three more days.

Determined, his father advocated fiercely for him. “My baby is a fighter,” he told the care team.

About two weeks later, Liam began to improve.

The name Liam — meaning warrior — suddenly felt deeply fitting.

Liam’s extreme prematurity led to ongoing medical challenges, including two brain bleeds, vision concerns, and developmental delays. Yet he continues to make progress.

Today, Liam and his family travel to Wichita frequently for his many specialist appointments and therapies. During those trips, they stay at Ronald McDonald House Charities Wichita — a place that allows them to remain close to the medical care Liam needs while surrounded by comfort and support.

In March, Liam will turn six years old.

He is still fighting.
Still progressing.
Still proving that no prediction could define his future.

A true warrior in every sense of his name.