The infant who was fighting for her life after she was hit in a softball in what was described as a freak accident is now breathing on her own.
On Thursday, doctors removed the breathing tube out 2-month-old McKenna Hovenga, her great-aunt, Laura Heise, shared in a Facebook post.
URGENT PRAYERS: 7-Week-Old Baby Girl Fighting for Her Life after Being Struck by Softball
Although the move was described by Heise as “huge,” the 24 hours after the tube was removed proved to be dramatic.
First, McKenna’s oxygen levels dropped, and doctors began administering breathing treatments and steroids to normalize her. Then, out of concern that McKenna’s airway was narrowing, doctors performed a scope on Friday.
https://www.facebook.com/healingformckenna/posts/321363435060509
After the procedure, McKenna did well overnight, Heise wrote.
“We were very worried that her troubles were related to her brain injury and we are so very thankful that this is not the case!” she shared.
Now, McKenna is off of all breathing-related equipment and is breathing on her own, Heise said.
https://www.facebook.com/healingformckenna/posts/321277785069074
The 2-month-old was hospitalized at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, after she was hit by a soft ball during a family outing earlier this month. McKenna and her mother were waiting for her father’s softball team to take the field when an overthrown softball hit her and fractured her skull.
The family is relieved now that McKenna is currently resting comfortably post-surgery.
“Many tears were shed yesterday in sorrow and in anguish of watching what she was enduring and now knowing more about what’s ahead,” Heise said. “Today we’re crying tears of relief, joy and thankfulness! We know that this roller coaster ride of emotions is how it’s going to be for quite some time, but it sure is better to cry happy tears than it is to cry the sad ones. We feel like we’re breathing easier too! Way to go, Kenna-baby!!!!”
A YouCaring campaign has been set up to help cover McKenna’s medical expenses.
(H/T: Fox News)