Seven-year-old Knox Tysdahl has competed in three triathlons. He plays flag football, soccer, and baseball, and has joined the Mason City Swim Club.
You’d never know the Clear Lake, Iowa, boy was born 17 weeks early and hometown doctors had little hope that he’d survive if born that early.
Carrie Tysdahl’s water broke in the middle of the night when she was 22 weeks pregnant. Local doctors gave her little hope that the baby would survive if born that early and gave her two options: go home and try to maintain the pregnancy for another week before a Des Moines hospital would admit her or call doctors at UI Health Care.
She and her husband, Troy, called our doctors.
Carrie was admitted Feb. 23, 2017, and a little more than a week later, on March 4, Knox was born, weighing 545 grams, or just 1 pound, 3 ounces. Like many micro preemies—those born before 26 weeks’ gestation—Knox had many complications. Knox’s poorly developed lungs were a major concern. Ralph Hein, RRT, was the senior respiratory therapist who worked to get Knox’s lungs stronger.
“Life begins with one breath, and it’s our job to keep that breath going,” Hein says.
Carrie Tysdahl is grateful for Hein’s role in her son’s life.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that without respiratory therapy and Ralph’s involvement in Knox’s life that he wouldn’t be here or have the life he has today,” she says.
Now a second-grader, Knox loves to compete in sports, draw, and play with his Legos.
“Typical 7-year-old boy stuff,” says his dad, Troy.
“He’s an awesome, very smart, very happy, very wild little boy,” Carrie says.
