Dylan McCoo

Dylan McCoo, from Albany, New York stands 6’2, 250 pounds at 18 years of age. Looking at his healthy, strong frame, you would never guess he had such a fragile beginning, back here in St. Louis, MO.

In November 2006, Dylan’s mother, Penney was 24 weeks pregnant. She went into premature labor and 3 days later, and had an emergency C-section. On November 13, 2006, Dylan was born weighing 1lb. 7oz. He was the youngest of 4 older siblings – 1 sister and 3 brothers; two of those brothers being a set of twins.

“He was super tiny and we hadn’t anticipated this,” Penney said. “The ventricles in his brain hadn’t fully formed yet and he was at risk for all the complications that premature babies face. There was conversation of Dylan needing a shunt because of brain swelling. Since the hospital I delivered at didn’t have a pediatric neurosurgeon, we were recommended to transfer his care to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon.”

Dylan was transferred to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon’s NICU and the surgery to place his shunt took place in January 2007. “During our stay in 2007, the Cardinal Glennon NICU was a very different place than it is now,” Penney said. “It was semi-private back then, so essentially you shared a common ward space with multiple other babies and multiple other families. As parents, you didn’t spend the night. Being a family of 7, we worked to keep it all together. Communication was everything, and we appreciated anything that would keep our spirits in a hopeful place,” Penney said.

Throughout his 4 months in the NICU, Dylan had multiple surgeries, blood transfusions, infections and challenges. “There were crucial conversations almost daily,” said Larry, Dylan’s father. “This could happen or that could happen. Even though everyone’s tone was compassionate, we were definitely coached to be prepared for the worst,” Larry said. “And IF we were eventually one of the lucky ones to be able to take our son home, we still had so many unknowns. What would his future be? Will he need therapies forever? Will he ever be able to go to school or have a job? These are all the things that go through your head.”

“The NICU was the club none of us ever wanted to belong to as parents,” Larry said. “You develop a rapport with people you might not have ever associated with outside those hospital walls. You share celebrations together and go through hardships together. You learn who the ‘veterans’ are and you welcome the new parents. Since we all shared a common space, you noticed when someone was no longer there – wondering if their baby had died or gone home. It’s a similar feeling in the pit of your stomach, either way because you don’t know which way the wind will turn for your own baby and your own family. As a husband and a father, you feel a responsibility to have more control and provide confidence and hope to your wife and your family. It was difficult not to have those capabilities, so you latched on to anything that would keep you encouraged.”

Penney recalled a special day when a family introduced themselves to her in the NICU. “They didn’t have a baby there and I don’t know why they were walking through, but I will never forget the moment and I remember their fresh and positive faces. It was a mother and her fully-grown son, who had just turned 18. She made a point to tell me that he, too, had been in this NICU. He had a dire diagnosis, was given extremely poor odds, yet he made it and was this walking, talking visual of what COULD be possible.  That visit stuck in my head the remainder of our stay at Cardinal Glennon. It kept us encouraged and reminded us to keep our faith,” Penney said.

Larry echoed Penney’s recollection stating, “I’m very much a praying man and my faith isn’t based in what I can or can’t see. We knew we had to simply trust and that God was in control. But seeing that young man was walking proof of what was possible. And now we are parents to our own 18-year-old miracle, hoping to be that living testimonial to someone else. Sometimes you just need to hear that ‘it’s gonna be ok’ to balance out the more frequent reminders that it might not. Dylan graduates’ high school in May 2025. He is excited to attend community college in the fall.

“It has been awe-inspiring and a true blessing to witness Dylan’s incredible journey from a fragile micro preemie, defying all expectations in the NICU, to now standing on the cusp of high school graduation,” said Penney. “His life thus far is a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit and the unwavering dedication of all of those who cared for them here at Cardinal Glennon. This is more than just a graduation; it’s a celebration of resilience, a beacon of hope, and a living miracle. And that was just Part 1! Stay tuned world!!”