For Savanna and Daniel Buller of Lake Charles, Louisiana, the excitement of expecting their fourth child felt familiar and joyful. With three healthy, full-term children already, they anticipated another smooth pregnancy—one filled with routine checkups and a safe delivery.

But life had other plans.

What began as a hopeful journey soon turned into a fight for survival, resilience, and unwavering faith.

A Sudden Shift in Pregnancy

Around the 20-week mark, Savanna began noticing unusual symptoms—persistent headaches, swelling, and rising blood pressure.

At first, it seemed manageable.

Doctors prescribed medication and monitored her condition closely. But within just a few weeks, everything escalated.

Savanna was diagnosed with preeclampsia, a serious pregnancy complication that can threaten both mother and baby. By 25 weeks, her condition had progressed to severe preeclampsia, leaving doctors with a difficult but necessary decision.

To save both lives, they had to act quickly.

A Fragile Beginning

Margo was delivered via emergency C-section at just 25 weeks gestation.

She weighed only 595 grams—barely over one pound.

So small, so fragile, and immediately in need of life-saving support.

Doctors intubated her right away, helping her breathe in those critical first moments. Yet even in her delicate state, Margo showed signs of incredible strength—at one point pulling out her own breathing tube, as if fighting to breathe on her own.

But her journey was only beginning.

A Dangerous Complication

As days passed, Margo’s condition fluctuated.

Then came a terrifying development.

Her abdomen became swollen and discolored, raising immediate concern among her care team. Doctors suspected necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)—a life-threatening condition that affects the intestines of premature infants.

At just 20 days old, Margo needed urgent, specialized care.

She was airlifted by helicopter to Children’s Hospital New Orleans, while her parents made the long drive to meet her, filled with fear but holding onto hope.

Fighting for Survival

Upon arrival, Margo was placed under the care of a dedicated NICU team that immediately sprang into action.

Doctors made a promise to her parents: they would fight for Margo with everything they had.

Her diagnosis required emergency surgery.

Pediatric surgeon Dr. Jessica Zagory performed a delicate procedure to remove damaged portions of Margo’s intestine and create an ostomy—an opening to allow her body to heal.

The days that followed were filled with uncertainty.

Every hour mattered.

Every small change could mean everything.

A Long and Difficult Road

Margo’s journey did not end with one surgery.

She would go on to undergo multiple procedures over the following months—each one critical, each one carrying its own risks.

A second surgery was performed to further stabilize her condition. Later, a third procedure allowed doctors to assess her healing intestines and begin reconstruction.

Through it all, Margo remained fragile—but determined.

Her progress was slow, often unpredictable, but always moving forward.

Small Victories, Big Meaning

In the NICU, milestones look different.

They are not measured in first steps or first words—but in moments many take for granted.

The first time Margo breathed on her own.
The first successful feeding.
The first time she opened her eyes and engaged with her parents.

Each moment was a victory.

Each step forward was a reason to hope.

Her parents documented these milestones in a deeply personal way—placing footprints on the walls of her NICU room. Each tiny print symbolized a step in her fight for life.

A visual reminder of how far she had come.

Strength in Support

Throughout this journey, the support from the medical team at Children’s Hospital New Orleans was unwavering.

Doctors, nurses, and specialists worked together to provide not only advanced medical care but also emotional guidance for Margo’s family.

They explained every step.

They offered reassurance during the darkest moments.

They became partners in the fight for Margo’s life.

For Savanna and Daniel, this support made an unimaginable situation just a little more bearable.

Growing Stronger Every Day

After eight months in the hospital, Margo reached an incredible milestone.

She weighed over eleven pounds.

From a one-pound preemie fighting to survive, she had grown into a stronger, more stable baby—one step closer to going home.

Her journey is not over.

There are still procedures ahead, and her development will continue to be closely monitored. But her progress so far has been nothing short of extraordinary.

A Story of Resilience

Margo’s story is a powerful reminder of the strength that can exist in even the tiniest of lives.

She has faced unimaginable challenges—premature birth, life-threatening illness, multiple surgeries—and yet, she continues to fight.

Her journey is not just about survival.

It is about resilience.
It is about hope.
It is about the unbreakable bond between a child and her family.

Tiny Steps, Big Impact

Every footprint on that NICU wall tells a story.

A story of courage.
A story of love.
A story of a little girl who refused to give up.

And while her path forward may still hold challenges, one thing is certain:

Margo has already proven that even the smallest steps can lead to the greatest victories.