A Heartfelt Thanks from a Parent

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Hi,

I am here basically out of curiosity. I wanted to tell you all how wonderful I think you all are to do the jobs you do! I will forever be greatful to all the doctors, nurses, RT's and so forth who took care of my babies in the NICU. In 1998, my twins were born at 25 weeks. My daughter weighed 1 pound 7 ounces at her birth. Her eyes were fused closed for about 9 days and she was on a high frequency ventilator until she was 6 weeks old. She had a grade 2 IVH that resolved by discharge, a PDA ligation when she was 1 pounds 11 ounces and almost 1 month old. Janae pretty much "sailed" through her NICU stay once she had the PDA ligation. For such a little one, she did very well and came home at 91 days of age only on iron drops and Neocare formula. She weighed 5 pounds 11 ounces and was about 18 inches long. Today, Janae is a happy and healthy Kindergartener. She is now 5 and is still pretty small. She weighs 31 pounds and is 41 inches tall. She was in an early intervention program until she was 3 years old. We really do not see any affects from her early arrival. We think she may have a speech delay, but we have been told that it is likely from her frequent ear infections and likely has nothing to do with her early arrival. I also suspect that she might have some kind of processing disorder, but we do not have a confirmation about that yet. Over all, Janae is a happy, healthy, normal little girl.

We know how blessed we are to have such a healthy preemie as we know the other side of the coin all to well. Our daughter's twin brother suffered severe grade 3 and 4 IVH's. He developed severe Hydro because of the bleeds. Isak was in the NICU for 148 days before he came home. Unfortunately, Isak's hydro was sooooo hard to control and when he was 10 months and 5 days old he passed away. However, not once do we regret the time we had with him. The NICU staff was WONDERFUL to us during that time. They all loved Isak almost as much as we did. We were told Isak was unusual. They said most babies with severe neurological problems were irritable. Not Isak. Isak only "complained" when he had a reason and he was the cuddliest little guy! When we would come to see him, we would have to hunt down whomever was holding him once he was in the intermediate care unit. I was comforted knowing my babies were so loved. Despite all the stress that comes with having critically ill children, our NICU course was eased some because of the love the staff showed to our family. I am greatful for the gift you all gave me...my children. My daughter is a shining example of why you do what you do! My gratitude extends to you all. Thank-you for all you do. You are appreciated and you are making a difference! I personally know about 5 or 6 former micro preemies who are now healthy children, free of complications. I know all to well how badly things can turn, but some are winning the battle! :-) I am attaching a picture of my Janae :-)

janae5203.JPG

Angie

mom to Kyler(35.5 wkr now 8) Janae(25+ wkr now 5!) Ian(almost 3 and a 36.5 wkr thanks to great docs!) and ^i^ Isak(5.23.98-3.28.99)

PS...sorry the pic is so big!!! I can't figure out how to resize it for a forum like this

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Wow, Angie!

I have an Ian, too. You brought tears to my eyes:kiss

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Specializes in Neonatal.
:crying2: That was sooo sweet!
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I just felt the need to write because I am truly appreciative of all of the staff who cared for my babies. I am still in contact with one of their nurses and we try to see her when we can. I just wanted you all to know what you do definately makes a difference during the NICU stay and then after. I will forever be greatful to the nurses who took such good care of our family and advocated for me and my babies.

Angie

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it's nice to hear some parental gratitude...it helps override the rest of the garbage that is dished out to us daily....idiot doctors...management that doesn't listen...etc..etc...I have made many friends from the families in the NICU and that is why I am still there....

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and your daughter is very sweet...I always pray that our 25 weekers turn out so well......sometimes my prayers are answered

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

She is adorable! :) I am so sorry about your little boy...it always just seems so unfair when one twin does so well and the other is so sick :o Thank you for your wonderful words! :)

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Thanks to all of you for your kind replies. We are very proud of our daughter! :-) She has been full of life from the day she was born. We knew from her early days in the NICU, that we were in for it! She was so tiny, yet she had so much attitude!! She let you know when you were stepping on her toes. For awhile, we could bearly stand near her warmer w/o her setting all her alarms off. If someone changed her diaper or did something else for her she would let you know she wasn't happy. As soon as you stopped what you were doing, she would level out! She is STILL like that. She lets you know when you have upset her. We remind ourselves that it is that attitude that got her to where she is today. :-)

Anyway, thanks again for all the love you provide these babies and their families! I know we NICU parents can be a hard bunch to deal with too...so much to learn in so little time! We often refer to our NICU days as our crash course in Neonatology. I will forever be amazed by the babies I watched grow in that NICU. It's hard to believe my daughter was ever so small.

Angie

:D

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Thanks. Yes, losing Isak has been one of the most difficult things we have dealt with and sometimes seeing healthy twins is very hard for me(and I have twin nephews who are 6.5 so I see them often). But at the same time, I am soooo greatful for Isak and the lessons he taught us about life and love. His life wasn't all struggles. He had many things that were good and he managed to touch many people. Isak was an amazing little boy. Again, eventhough his life was so much shorter then my Janae's, I am still filled with so much gratitude towards everyone who cared for my Isak. Anyway, thanks for mentioning him. :-)

Angie

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Thank you for sharing your story.....sorry for your loss of your son.

Your daughter is just beautiful!!!!

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