NFL's Tevin Coleman's Daughter, 6, Was Placed on Ventilator as She Continues Sickle Cell Treatment: 'Resilient'

Akilah gave an update on their 6-year-old daughter Nazaneen, who lives with sickle cell disease

Tevin and Akilah Coleman are giving an update on their 6-year-old daughter Nazaneen, who lives with sickle cell disease.

The NFL star's wife shared a video on her Instagram on Tuesday, April 9, offering some insight into her daughter Nazaneen's difficult past few weeks. Akilah shared clips from her daughter as she spent time in the hospital, played with her dad and walked around outside.

"A short story about the most resilient girl I know," Akilah began her caption, before sharing that Nazaneen recently spent time on a BiPAP ventilator machine.

The mom of two explained that this "essentially means she couldn’t breathe on her own & needed the machine to expand her lungs & breathe for her. She also received her first blood transfusion."

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Related: NFL's Tevin Coleman Opens Up About Daughter's Sickle Cell Journey: 'We Try to Uplift Her'

Akilah went on to say that she admired and envied her husband's self-control, because when she heard the news that her daughter would be "placed on the ventilator," she said she began to hyperventilate.

"I was swinging in & out of consciousness, it’s a feeling unexplainable watching your child literally fight to breathe," she wrote. "Tevin managed to calm my spirit while managing his own. I’m so sorry for that because it doesn’t leave space for him to go through the motions."

The proud mom went on to say that it's been hard for her to be vulnerable and transparent, but she believes it's important to share their story because it would be misleading otherwise.

"I’ve realized one of the hardest things for me to do as a parent, wife & woman is to surrender. I cannot always control the outcome & that is such a hard pill to swallow," she said. "We have moments in life where we are often stripped of legacy, wealth & success & nothing else matters but the air in our lungs. No amount of hard work or dedication can alter this. It’s humbling but inspiring when we rise back up."

The end of the video included audio from Nazaneen's class that played over a photo of the little girl in a butterfly shirt and tutu. "We miss you Nazzy! We hope you feel better soon," the class can be heard saying.

"She listened to that message more times than I can count. Even when she couldn’t speak & all she could do was cry that audio was on repeat for two weeks in the hospital," Akilah said of Nazaneen's class's message. "I think it kept her spirits up & determined to fight. It serves as a reminder of the power of friendship no matter the age! ❤️."

In 2023, Tevin spoke with PEOPLE about his daughter's diagnosis. "I just wanted to protect my daughter when I first learned she first had it," Tevin, who began experiencing symptoms of sickle cell himself as a college athlete, said. "I wanted to protect her — from the public, from everybody. So that's why I didn't say anything at first."

"She's only 5, so we haven't gotten to the point where I actually explained to her what her body is going through, but I have let her know that it's just really important to always tell Mommy — whatever you're feeling, whatever you're going through, tell Mommy," Akilah said at the time. "Let's talk about it. Don't be scared to tell me if you're in pain, so I can help you."

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