Rydon’s parents believe in miracles. They watched their preemie son fight for his life with the aid of doctors and nurses in two hospitals and the prayers of family and friends each breath of the way.
“Thanks again to everyone at North Pointe for your prayers and support. Words cannot describe how blessed we feel to have come so far.”
Looking at Rydon now, you’d never know the journey he’s been on, so read about it below.
Rydon Bouck faced more dire circumstances at 25 weeks old than most people experience in 25 years or an entire lifetime.
On January 13, 2015, Rydon Harold was born to Kolby and Elise Bouck – son #3. Elise had endured a very difficult pregnancy, including fourteen weeks of bed rest. Rydon was a “micro-preemie.” He weighed 1lb, 15oz.
The Boucks were thrust into the life of being “NICU parents” (Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit) Their attitude? “He’s here. He’s safe. Let’s trust God and ride out this journey.”
His middle name, Harold, was for his great-grandfather who passed away suddenly just after Elise learned she was pregnant. Rydon was the baby of hope who helped carry the family through grief. Now he needed help to get through his first weeks out of the womb.
One Month Young
Since birth, Rydon has needed the help of a ventilation machine to breathe. One morning all of the machine’s settings were completely maxed out. The nurse treating him appeared somewhat concerned to Elise. “I’ll have the medical team come speak to you as soon as they finish their rounds.”
An x-ray showed that his upper right lung was partially collapsed. His left lung wasn’t looking very good. He had chronic lung disease. His future suddenly didn’t look good.
As a last resort they tried him on a jet machine, which delivers 100’s of puffs of air per minute into the lungs. That machine too maxed out with little change in Rydon’s condition. Further x-rays showed he had developed “Necrotizing Enterocolitis” (NEC) – a bacterial infection that eats away at a preemie’s intestines.
In the most premature babies like Rydon, more than 50% die from NEC.
“Lord, Heal Him”
The next day doctors gave the family three options – all of which had a high likelihood of the same, unacceptable outcome. He vital signs were dangerously low. The physicians were concerned that Rydon’s organs were dying or dead.
Elise’s mother looked over to her and said, “They didn’t give us option four. We’re choosing option four. Option four is to pray to our mighty God. He is an Almighty healer and he can carry Rydon through this.”
We pleaded the blood of Jesus over him and prayed, “Lord heal him. Put new living tissue in him.”
Within two hours of that prayer Rydon’s vitals began to come back. He was weaned off his medication and the jet machine. Shortly after he was well enough for transport to the Stollery Children’s Hospital for surgery.
When the surgeon saw him he said this couldn’t be the same baby he heard about the day before. “When I hear about babies that sick the outcome usually isn’t very good. Rydon is not a surgical patient.”
After a week in the Stollery he was deemed well enough to be transferred back to the hospital staff who initially cared for him. They were amazed at his condition. “What did they do differently for him?”
Kolby and Elise know that their journey is not over. There will be bumps in the road ahead. Rydon has since undergone surgery to remove scar tissue, a portion of his intestine and his appendix.
The Boucks are deeply indebted to the care he has received from the Stollery and the Royal Alexandra hospital staff and the prayer of family, friends and believers.
“We know that God has brought us through. We know that whatever happens He will pull Rydon through.”
Rydon was 100 days old on April 23rd and looking more like his dad everyday.
On May 16, 2015 – Rydon was released from the NICU and went home with his mom and dad!
On August 21, 2015 – “We had a sleep study a couple of weeks ago and the respiratory therapist said that it looked good. We just need to make a follow-up appointment with our pediatrician now to see if we can discontinue his oxygen. He last weighed in at 12.5lbs this week.”
On September 25, 2015 – “Rydon’s pediatrician is impressed with his progress. He is hitting all the milestones that full-term babies do, which the doctor said is rare for preemies. Thank you North Pointe for your prayers.”
Kolby and Elise and their families are grateful for the care they received at the Stollery Children’s Hospital and the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta. Also to those around the world who are praying for Rydon. Thank you!
Rydon at 8 months and 12.5lbs.
Rydon at 8.5 months and 15lbs.
As of November 4, 2017 – “Rydon is doing great – growing like ever, running and talking and playing (and fighting) with his brothers.”
Doctors all said that he is growing and developing as expected. There are no concerns with him and we repeat the follow up again in one year.
Everyday he is celebrated as a miracle – a precious gift of answered prayer from God.
CLICK HERE to see a brief testimony video of Rydon’s life from Elise.
APPLICATION: Please take a moment to pray and to leave a comment for Rydon, Kolby and Elise. Thank you.
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Have hope for little Rydon. I was born in 1970 weighing 2 lbs 3 oz and I pulled through…by the grace of God, prayer and much tender loving care.
Thank you for letting us know, Sharlene. I am sure Kolby and Elise will appreciate your empathy and standing with them in prayer.
I pray for God’s healing for Rydon so he may grow and become healthy enough to go home. On October 10, 2000 my niece had twin girls at 32 weeks. They did not have as many health issues as Rydon but they were small. Morgan was 3 lbs 4 oz and Megan was 1 lb 14 oz. They were delivered by emergency C-section as they were in were distress. There were some challenges but mostly they just needed to grow. Morgan went home on November 8th and Megan went home on November 28th. At Christmas Morgan weighed 8 lbs and Megan weighed 5 lbs.
Little Megan had some issues with drinking milk which was a concern because she was so tiny we didn’t want her to lose weight. The following February she was in the hospital for a week with the RSV virus. This can be very bad for for premature babies. She recovered quicker than expected. At 1 year old Megan was 15 lbs. At 2 years she was 17 lbs. There were some issues at first but the girls continued to grow and get healthier. Now they are 2 very normal healthy teenagers in grade 9. Megan is still smaller than her sister. You would never know that they were so tiny when they born.
Megan and Morgan are God’s miracle in my family. They are a blessing every day. I hope and pray for this outcome for little Rydon and Kolby and Elise. God bless.
Thank you for sharing, Patricia. There are so many stories out there of preemies. God is gracious. Thank you for praying and passing the word.
Rydon is a miracle child. I hurt for you and pray our mighty and loving God of miracles will perform miracle of this century , that the medical team will have no other reason to give, except give god all the honor and glory. When we are faced with challenges it is very hard to remain focused, but you are strong and I was encouraged by the video that Pastor Bob showed us of you in the church on Sunday.
Thank you Cynthia for praying.
My son was born at 25 week almost 11 years ago. He was 755 grams, 1 pound 10 ounces. He is a miracle as well. It is this miracle that brought me back to my Father and renewed my faith. I prayed that if it was to be that God could take Conner but if he let him live I would do everything in my power to provide Conner with what he needed to be happy and healthy. I know about the many challenges faced now, I know of many of the challenges that will be faced in the future. I pray for Rydon and his family for strenght to keep fighting when it seems to much. Bless all of you!