The first graders in Dominique’s elementary school class could not even imagine that their bright and gregarious teacher was once small enough to fit into the palm of her father’s hand. 

In 1977, Dominique was born weighing an astonishing 1 pound. She was immediately rushed to Texas Children’s Hospital where she was essentially dead on arrival. She had stopped breathing.

“We resuscitated Dominique and placed her on a breathing machine for a period of time,” said Dr. Michael Speer, neonatologist and medical director of quality and outcomes management department. “We finally got her off the machine, but then she stopped breathing again and we’d have to help her.”

Dominique’s father panicked every time she stopped breathing. “The doctors told my father that it was just like filling an inner tube up with air,” said Dominique. “They pumped me up and then both my lungs were fine.” 

The doctors also were concerned that Dominique had water on the brain. Fortunately for Dominique, the CAT scan, developed in the mid 1970s, had recently been installed in the neonatal intensive care unit. A CAT scan was performed on her and the results came back negative. Things were looking up; she now had one less hurdle to overcome.

“Dominique was a fighter, she came through this in style,” said Dr. Speer.

“As time went on, I got fatter and opened my eyes a little bit,” said Dominique. “I finally was able to go home, but then I relapsed with bronchial pneumonia. I had to go back to Texas Children’s for two more months before I could go home permanently.”

“Dominique is one of the reasons why all of us in neonatology are in neonatology – to help small babies like her reach their potential,” said Dr. Speer.

Dominique went on to have an incredible life. She graduated with a master’s degree and is a teacher who is well-respected and admired. She will forever be grateful to the people of Texas Children’s Hospital who helped her through all those difficult months.

“They saved my life. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them,” said Dominique. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for them – they’re miracle workers.”