WTOC, Savannah, Georgia, news, weather and sports | Baby considered modern-day miracle

Baby considered modern-day miracle

By Melanie Ruberti - bio | email

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - His name is Zoe, pronounced Zo - ay, which is Greek for "life". But life has not come easy for this five week old baby boy." They looked me in the eye and said he was very sick. He's very critical," remembered Zoe's mom, Carmen Simpson.

"They told us at one point he was the sickest baby in the hospital," said Jim Simpson, Zoe's dad.

Video and pictures taken right after his birth shows just how sick Zoe was. Born with a condition called Hydrops, his body swelled to extreme proportions. He was immediately taken from a hospital in Vidalia, to the Neonatal ICU at Memorial in Savannah.

Numerous tests showed Zoe had life threatening problems, fluid on the brain, and even blindness. Doctor's didn't know how long he would live. Zoe proved them wrong.

"They were telling us our son would not live 24 hours, and he made it 24 hours," Carmen smiled," So they said the next 48 hours is very critical, he may not live. He made it 48 more hours. So they said the next 72 hours. They kept extending it because they had no answers about what was going on."

But it was no mystery to the Simpson family. They believe their faith helped Zoe fight for his life. "We'd sing to him and read him stories. We'd cut up and laugh and hug and cry, but we always spent time praying," Jim said, " I know God has been at work."

"We deeply believe God is a healer," Carmen explained," And we deeply believe he created our son's life and gave us this precious gift."

Surrounded by his older brother, Isaac, and sister, Katelyn, Zoe continues to make progress. But the long term complications are still unknown. Zoe's life is literally an hour by hour, day by day situation. But his family knows through all the tubes and blankets, they're looking at a miracle." Zoe has exceeded what medicine can do. And what surgery can do. And what doctors have to offer," said Carmen.

"If the doctors were to call us today and say 'your son has just passed away,' I would still look at you and say a miracle took place," Jim stated," Our son sustained life longer than they ever said he would."

It's been a rough journey so far, but each day Zoe continues fighting to live up to his given name.

He is expected to stay in the NICU at Memorial University Medical Center at least through the end of the month. If you're interested in learning more about Zoe, click http://www.prayforzoe.com. It will take you to his daily blog.