At a routine pregnancy checkup, Kreshanna and Devontae learned their unborn son had hypoplastic left heart syndrome—a severe congenital heart defect. Doctors warned the journey would be long and difficult, and he would need to be delivered at a hospital with fetal cardiology expertise.
At 33 weeks, Kreshanna’s doctors could no longer detect fetal movement. She was life-flighted from Nacogdoches to Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston—her first time flying. “I was terrified for my baby’s health,” she recalls, “but looking out the window from the gurney, I felt like I was flying on the wings of angels toward the care my baby needed.”
Meanwhile, Devontae drove their two-year-old son, Damarion, through bad weather and car trouble, including a flat tire. “Everything turned upside down in an instant,” he says.
In Houston, doctors found fetal movement and stabilized Kreshanna. After weeks of uncertainty, the family was relieved to get a room at Ronald McDonald House Houston, just minutes from the hospital. The timing was critical—Damerious was born soon after and immediately underwent his first surgery.
By four months old, Damerious had already endured multiple surgeries and battled respiratory distress, rhinovirus, pneumonia, and possible lung disease. The stream of medical challenges was relentless, but through it all, Kreshanna and Devontae leaned on their faith—and each other.
“This journey taught me to lean on God—living by faith, not sight—trusting His blessings will come,” said Devontae.
“We knew we’d be here for a while, so we found a local church where we could worship and stay grounded,” said Kreshanna. “We’re not walking this journey alone. We have our new church family, our faith in God, and the support system here at Ronald McDonald House. There’s no judgment—everyone here understands because they’re going through it too.”
“You don’t choose these circumstances,” she adds, “but you do choose how you walk through them. Being able to stay together makes it a little easier.”
Living at the House has also helped them discover more about 2-year old Damarion. “He loves watching the fish tank in the great room,” Kreshanna says. “And he’s always pulling himself up to play the piano in the game room. He loves music.”
Devontae, Kreshanna, and big brother Damarion stayed at Holcombe House as they balanced NICU visits, toddler care, and keeping their relationship strong. “You have to be careful what you wish for,” Kreshanna says. “I used to say I wanted Devontae to spend more time with us because he worked so much. Now we’re together 24/7!”
At Ronald McDonald House, the family was able to remain close, connected, and stronger than ever as they supported Damerious and each other through an unimaginably difficult time.
Damerious earned his angel wings after a brave and valiant fight. Even though the outcome was not what the family had hoped and prayed for, Ronald McDonald House kept them close to their hospitalized baby with a place to rest, reflect, and care for one another. This family story is published in loving memory of Damerious.