ST.Between the Lines: Hunter Alexander’s Fight to Survive After the Grid Claimed Everything
In the middle of a storm, when the world around us is dark, cold, and chaotic, there are a few who are called to do the impossible—those who step out into the storm to restore our light, our warmth, our safety. These brave souls, often unnoticed, put themselves at great risk to ensure the rest of us can continue living without interruption. Hunter Alexander is one of those heroes, a 24-year-old lineman who did what linemen do best: restore power when the world needed it most. But little did he know that the very work he was doing to help others would nearly cost him his life.
It was during the aftermath of a brutal ice storm that Hunter, like so many linemen, went out into the harshest of conditions to restore power to the communities left in the dark. The storm had wreaked havoc, leaving homes without heat, without light, and without the warmth of safety. As Hunter worked to fix the damaged lines, he was doing exactly what he had been trained to do—no hesitation, no second thoughts. But somewhere, amidst the tangled wires and broken poles, disaster struck. A powerful electric shock tore through Hunter’s body, sending him into an agonizing fight for his life.
The shock left Hunter with catastrophic injuries to both of his arms and hands, injuries that would require immediate, intense medical attention. What followed was a whirlwind of emergency surgeries, where doctors worked tirelessly to save his life and restore as much function to his limbs as possible. Hunter was rushed to a Louisiana ICU, where he now faces a critical battle of his own, one that will define the course of his recovery—and perhaps his future.
Hunter’s family has been by his side every step of the way, including his devoted wife, Katie, who has barely left his side. She has been sleeping on a cot in the ICU, never straying far from her husband as he fights for his life. As a lineman, Hunter had always been the one to help others, the one to keep things running smoothly, the one to ensure others could stay safe. Now, it’s his family and community who are rallying around him, doing everything they can to lift him up in his time of need.
The first surgeries Hunter underwent were critical. Fasciotomies were performed to relieve the dangerous pressure building up in both of his arms. These surgeries removed damaged tissue and placed wound vacs to help support the healing process. But despite these efforts, doctors have warned the family that the coming days are crucial. The question now is whether or not the tissue in Hunter’s arms can be saved. Every moment counts. The risk of amputation remains on the table, and with every passing hour, Hunter’s family is holding their breath, praying that his arms can be saved and that circulation will be restored.
Katie has said that every prayer, every message, every ounce of support that has been sent their way has been felt deeply. The love and support from family, friends, and the community are helping them hold on to hope as Hunter continues to fight. But the road ahead is uncertain, and each new day brings a new challenge. The doctors continue to monitor Hunter closely, and this morning, he is scheduled to go back into surgery. His family is asking for one thing above all else: prayers. Prayers that the tissue in Hunter’s arms can be saved, that the circulation will be restored, and that the threat of amputation will be averted.
This is the reality that Hunter and his family are living right now—each moment filled with fear and hope in equal measure. And yet, even in the face of such uncertainty, there is a deep sense of gratitude for what Hunter has already accomplished. He is a hero, not because of the danger he’s faced in this moment, but because of the countless hours he has spent out in the storm, ensuring that others could stay warm and safe. The work of linemen is dangerous, but it’s also essential, and Hunter took on that responsibility without question. Now, it’s time for us to rally behind him, to return the favor of his selflessness, and to support him and his family as they navigate this difficult journey.
Hunter’s story is one of sacrifice, bravery, and love. It’s about a young man who put others first, even at the risk of his own life. It’s about a family holding their breath as they pray for his recovery. It’s about a community, strong and united, lifting Hunter up, limb by limb, hour by hour, as he fights for his life.
If you’ve ever known the fear of seeing someone you love go through a medical crisis, you understand what Katie and Hunter’s family are going through. The agony of uncertainty. The longing for your loved one to heal, to come back to you. To return to the life they had before the storm. But through it all, there is hope. There is faith. And there is love—the love of a family who will not let go, no matter how difficult the road ahead may be.
So, as Hunter faces another surgery today, let’s pause. Let’s send our prayers, our thoughts, and our love to this young lineman who has already given so much for his community. Let’s lift him up in our hearts and hope that the surgeons will be able to restore his arms, that he will be able to continue living the life he so selflessly gave to others. Let’s pray that the worst of the storm has passed for Hunter and his family, and that healing will come in the days ahead.
Hunter, you are a hero—one without a cape, but with a heart full of bravery. Your sacrifice is felt by so many, and we are all praying for your recovery. May this journey be one of healing, strength, and grace.
Gabriel’s Journey: A Miracle of Strength and Resilience.2183
My name is Maryann, and I feel incredibly blessed to be the mother of a CDH survivor, my son Gabriel. His journey is one that has shaped me as a person, and the fact that he is with us today is nothing short of a miracle. Gabriel’s story is unique—not because he was diagnosed with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) early in pregnancy, but because his diagnosis came completely by chance at the age of 4 months, after he had already been born seemingly healthy.
Gabriel entered this world on March 9, 2018, a perfect little baby boy. From the moment I held him in my arms, I felt a deep connection, knowing that this was the start of a beautiful journey. Like many new parents, I couldn’t wait to introduce him to the world. However, I noticed something a little strange immediately after birth—Gabriel had a slight bluish tint to his skin. We initially attributed it to the bruising that can happen during birth, but soon after, he turned a healthier pink, and I reassured myself that everything was fine. Little did I know, this small observation would later play a key role in understanding his health struggles.
In the first few months, Gabriel seemed like a perfectly normal baby. He was a joy to be around, a smiling, happy baby who would occasionally spit up. We thought it was just a stomach bug when he vomited a handful of times at around 1 month old, but it stopped soon after, and we didn’t think much about it. He continued to grow and develop normally, hitting milestones like a 2-month-old who weighed 11 pounds. But things took a turn when Gabriel was 3 months old. He suddenly lost a full pound and didn’t gain weight as expected. As a new mother, I was concerned but also determined to keep breastfeeding and pumping to ensure he was getting enough nutrition. I tried everything I could to help him gain weight.
But despite my best efforts, Gabriel’s weight stagnated. At 4 months old, he still hadn’t gained a single ounce. I began to notice something else concerning: his breathing patterns had changed. When Gabriel napped, it seemed like he was struggling to breathe. He couldn’t take deep breaths, and his little chest seemed to rise and fall in a labored way. Despite this, Gabriel was still his usual sweet self—barely fussing, eating reasonably well, and not showing any signs of distress.
After speaking with my pediatrician multiple times and consulting friends who were nurses, I decided to take him to the doctor for a final checkup that day, knowing something wasn’t right. The pediatrician’s reaction when she listened to Gabriel’s back with her stethoscope sent a chill down my spine. She turned pale and struggled to meet my gaze. “Just tell me,” I said, tears beginning to fill my eyes. She could barely whisper the words that would forever change our lives: “I can’t hear any breathing sounds on the left side of his chest.” My heart dropped into my stomach as she ordered a chest X-ray.
When the results came back, we were informed that Gabriel had Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH). It was a diagnosis we had never even heard of, and it hit us like a ton of bricks. CDH is a rare birth defect where a hole in the diaphragm allows abdominal organs like the stomach, intestines, and sometimes the liver, to move into the chest, compressing the lungs and preventing them from developing properly. I had no idea how serious it was, and at that moment, everything I thought I knew about parenting and life as a new mom came crashing down.
I felt completely helpless. How had we not seen this? Why hadn’t any of the early tests shown this? But we didn’t have time to question the past. We needed to focus on Gabriel’s future. As terrifying as the diagnosis was, we were determined to do whatever it took to give him the chance to survive. Gabriel’s surgeon, Dr. Castillo, explained that he had a severe case of CDH. His diaphragm was missing half of its structure, and the organs that should have been in his abdomen were in his chest, severely restricting his lungs. Gabriel would need urgent surgery to repair the hole in his diaphragm.
On July 12, 2018, just a few days after his diagnosis, Gabriel underwent his CDH repair surgery at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, Florida. The operation was complex, and the surgeon later explained to us that Gabriel’s case was one of the most severe she had ever seen. We were told Gabriel would need a patch to cover the hole in his diaphragm, but the surgery was successful, and for the first time, we allowed ourselves to feel some hope.
However, Gabriel’s journey was far from easy. His recovery was rocky. He battled respiratory failure and pulmonary hypertension, and the struggle to get his lungs to function was overwhelming. He was intubated and placed on an oscillating ventilator. There were many moments when we feared for his life. The doctors warned us that it would take time for him to stabilize and that he would need to be closely monitored. Yet, Gabriel continued to fight.
After 31 days on ECMO (a heart-lung bypass machine) and multiple surgeries, including a G-tube for feeding and a procedure to alleviate his reflux, Gabriel slowly began to show improvement. By Easter of 2018, just two days after his surgery, we were able to hold our sweet boy for the first time. Each small victory brought tears of relief and gratitude. We watched as he slowly began to breathe on his own, with less and less respiratory support. Within days, he was off the ventilator and transitioned to CPAP, high-flow oxygen, and eventually room air. His lungs were healing.
But even after the surgery, the challenges didn’t stop. Gabriel’s weight continued to be a struggle, and we had to adjust his feeding routine to help him gain strength. We also discovered that he had severe reflux, and the decision was made to surgically place a G-tube and do a Nissen Fundoplication to help with his feeding. But despite all the obstacles, Gabriel kept fighting. With the help of the incredible team at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, he overcame every hurdle placed in his path.
After 76 long days in the NICU, Gabriel was finally discharged and came home. He was no longer dependent on oxygen and had learned to feed orally. We couldn’t believe it. Our miracle baby was coming home. Though there were still challenges ahead, especially with his weight and feeding, Gabriel’s progress was nothing short of miraculous.
Now, Gabriel is a happy, healthy 15-month-old who continues to amaze us with his strength and resilience. He’s crawling, babbling, and playing, and his smile lights up every room he enters. While there are still some ongoing health concerns related to his pulmonary hypertension and reflux, we are so grateful for every milestone he has reached. Gabriel has shown us the power of love, faith, and perseverance.
We are forever thankful to the doctors, nurses, and surgeons who saved our son’s life, and we will always be grateful for the Tiny Hero community that supported us throughout our journey. Gabriel’s story is a testament to the miracles that can happen when love, hope, and determination are at the forefront. We are so proud of our little warrior and can’t wait to see all the amazing things he will do in the future.
To all the families going through the CDH journey, know that you are not alone. There is always hope, and with the right care and support, anything is possible. Gabriel’s story is living proof that even in the darkest times, miracles can happen.
