Katharine Semler

Isabelle Gretl Semler was born at 23+3 weeks weighing 482g in September 2021. Isabelle spent 137 days in NICU at the Royal Women's Hospital fighting multiple infections including pneumonia, sepsis, e-coli and staph of the lungs and meningitis. Isabelle had seven blood transfusions, five rounds of antibiotics, three lumbar punctures, three cranial ultrasounds, one brain MRI, and multiple steroids, blood tests, x-rays, PICC lines and cannulas.
Isabelle was intubated four times, on CPAP four times and on high flow oxygen twice.
Each day was a rollercoaster where even a “good” day was felt with trepidation knowing how quickly and dramatically things could change.
We were lucky. Our little fighter survived this journey and came home without the need for a feeding tube or any form of respiratory support.
Isabelle just turned 10 months old and we are so proud that she has met all of her developmental milestones for her corrected age of 6 months. Isabelle is healthy and happy, and we are so grateful to have had access to the support and resources such as those provided by the Royal Women’s Hospital and Life’s Little Treasures Foundation.