Though Nataleigh Mochal was too young to remember most of her treatment at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, she confidently says it’s “the best hospital ever.”
At 9 years old, Nataleigh will get to represent that special place as a Kid Captain for Iowa football’s game against UCLA on Nov. 8.
Nataleigh was born prematurely at 25 weeks with various complications. Moments after she was born, UI doctors resuscitated her and addressed two brain bleeds.
Meanwhile, Nataleigh’s mother, Kelsie Mochal, only saw her daughter through pictures for the first 24 hours.
“I knew her eyes were fused shut,” Kelsie said. “Her lungs weren’t ready yet. Her heart wasn’t ready yet. I really had no idea what was going to happen.”
Nataleigh was also born with a hole in her heart, which Kelsie says is common for premature babies. However, when her body didn’t respond to the medication attempting to repair it, Nataleigh’s doctors decided she would need to undergo heart surgery at two weeks old.
“I remember talking to the heart doctor ,and he mentioned it was one of the biggest holes in a premature [baby’s heart] he had ever seen,” Kelsie recalled.
Nataleigh was finally released from the hospital after 128 days. At this point, she was four months old and still only about eight pounds.
Eventually, as Nataleigh began to grow and experience life outside of the NICU, she developed a lung condition called bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
Nataleigh also has a weakened immune system and experiences bad allergies.
In August, Nataleigh attended Kids’ Day at Kinnick, where she enjoyed going on the field, meeting the football players, seeing the visiting team’s locker room, and signing autographs.
“My favorite part was the locker room,” Nataleigh said. “It was pink. Even the toilets.”
Nataleigh also met Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz. After watching Hawkeye football games from home, Nataleigh remembered Ferentz’s knack for chewing gum on the sidelines.
Kelsie says Nataleigh came up with the idea to give him a pack of gum.
“He said he really appreciated it,” Nataleigh said. “He said he was getting low.”
Another highlight of Kids’ Day was when Nataleigh and Iowa offensive lineman Mason Richman took turns autographing each other’s shoes. Nataleigh says they are now “best friends.”
Nataleigh and her family have had a few chances to watch Richman and the rest of the Hawkeyes play at Kinnick Stadium. She also got to experience the Wave tradition, complete with a Wave temporary tattoo
and shirt.
Kelsie says the most heartwarming part of the tradition is watching everyone– including the opposing team, coaches, and fans, unite as they wave toward the hospital.
The UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital will hold a special place in the Mochal’s hearts for many reasons, one
being the attention to both the children and parents.
“The doctors and nurses there really take into account how the parents want to be a part of their child’s healthcare journey,” Kelsie said. “Everyone is so caring and can communicate what is going on.”
Kelsie believes the UI Stead Family
Children’s Hospital is the best of the best, and will be her first call if any of her
children have medical concerns.
“It’s always going to be the top one on the list because of the level of care exceeds anywhere else.”