Is this upsetting to anyone else?

dawngloves, BSN, RN · May 5, 2007

I'm trying to come to terms with it being relative. We send home so many babies that will/do have severe disabilities. Blind, deaf, severe delays, CP. Term and preemie and I hear "miracle " thrown around often.

If the parents want to think it's a miracle, so be it. The docs, let them pat themselves on the back.. But is 15, 20, 30 years they won't think it's such a miracle when they haven't been able to have an evening out because no one will stay with their child or they are too old to change that child's diaper and they have to put them in a home.

Those are the parents I want to see interviewed!

dawngloves, BSN, RN · May 5, 2007

Oh boy! I just watched the video. Looks like she has a shunt too.

CHATSDALE · May 5, 2007

really sad

Soup Turtle · May 5, 2007

...very sad.

cherokeesummer · May 5, 2007

Wow I have chills and I dont' know what to think. The mom in me and the green nursing student who is halfway through her NICU preceptorship says Yes, she is alive and hallelujah she is home. But the realist in me is thinking similar...yes she is 2 years old and she does not look like a 2 year old and will she be happy, will she find the happiness that every person deserves? Will her mom still feel so strong in a few years? I hope so, I hope and pray that her mom's great faith keeps her going!

But I agree, it is sad and hard to think of. We did a project last semester about the issue of ethics in saving 23 weekers. Scary stuff...I still really and truly don't know what my stand is on this.

I'd love to read some of your more experienced opinions on these things.

I will tell you what this does do for me though, makes me hug my 18 month old son and thank God for him being born healthy!

Trauma Columnist · May 5, 2007

At my church, we have a lady who is in her late 60's, early 70's who has a disabled adult daughter who is nonverbal, wears diapers, is unable to feed herself and functions at the level of an infant. She wonders aloud who will take care of her daughter when she dies - she has no other children.

My pastor has a 14 y/o autistic institutionalized son who will never live outside an institution - they too wonder what will happen when they get too old to visit.

justme1972 · May 5, 2007

Good Morning America had a feature about a "miracle" baby that just went home from the hospital. She was 15 ounces and is now TWO YEARS OLD and finally going home. She is trached, vented, and appears to be severely developmentally delayed. The thing that bothers me is that they're very excited to show this baby at home and the mom is talking about how WRONG the doctors were that told her the baby would never live, etc. They're calling her a miracle and going on and on about how wonderful it is.
I just don't think this is the kind of thing I'd call a miracle. I mean, it does give a more realistic view about what saving a micropreemie means sometimes compared to those true miracle babies that were 300 grams and are now doing absolutely fine. But something about this news story just really really bothers me.
Anyone else???
http://video.aol.com/video/tiny-baby-comes-home/1901089
(If the video doesn't come up, type "miracle baby" in the search box and it'll be the first video - don't know why the link doesn't always work...)

As the mother of two micro-preemies, I couldn't agree with you more. You can better believe I get down on my hands and knees every day and thank God that they are healthy.

It could just have easily turned the other way.

I agree, that isn't a miracle, it's a prison sentence. God have mercy on that child.

Jolie, BSN · May 6, 2007

I know I'm not quoting this exactly, but when the anchorwoman said, "I know there is a respirator and feeding tube going, and a few other things, but she looks soooo healthy!" I thought I would scream.

This child is anything BUT normal and healthy. If the article accurately portrayed her condition, I wouldn't feel so strongly, but it completely glossed over her obvious disabilities that will probably be life-long. How sad that the reporting is inaccurate, and will likely give false impressions to the millions of people who watched it.

The baby appeared to have poor motor control of her head and extremities, little strength in her trunk, made no eye contact, and did not seem to respond purposely to voices or sound. Add that to her chronic lung disease and feeding issues, and try and convince me that she has quality of life. Thank God her mother loves her. I believe she will be well-cared-for, but shudder to think that other parents will be "encouraged" by this article.

SOMEONE PLEASE show this to the parents awaiting sextuplets. Or don't, they may agree with the ditzy anchorwoman that this baby is fine.

justme1972 · May 6, 2007

I know I'm not quoting this exactly, but when the anchorwoman said, "I know there is a respirator and feeding tube going, and a few other things, but she looks soooo healthy!" I thought I would scream.
This child is anything BUT normal and healthy. If the article accurately portrayed her condition, I wouldn't feel so strongly, but it completely glossed over her obvious disabilities that will probably be life-long. How sad that the reporting is inaccurate, and will likely give false impressions to the millions of people who watched it.
The baby appeared to have poor motor control of her head and extremities, little strength in her trunk, made no eye contact, and did not seem to respond purposely to voices or sound. Add that to her chronic lung disease and feeding issues, and try and convince me that she has quality of life. Thank God her mother loves her. I believe she will be well-cared-for, but shudder to think that other parents will be "encouraged" by this article.
SOMEONE PLEASE show this to the parents awaiting sextuplets. Or don't, they may agree with the ditzy anchorwoman that this baby is fine.

What is even worse, is when the mother said that "I want to give her everything"...then she went on about her going to school, walking, running, playing.

The mother is in serious denial...the baby did not appear to be remotely responsive in the video.

That child will be lucky to just feed herself. It is so sad!

vamedic4, EMT-P · May 6, 2007

There are just so very many things wrong with this story, I can't believe GMA would offer their viewers such a misguided story of "hope and survival".

I'm sure mom is proud of her daughter, and of the fight she "won" to have her and keep her alive. But those of us who know are aware that this child is in for a lifetime of hospital admissions, infections, revisions, and procedures - all the while being barely aware of her own existence. What quality of life is that??:trout:

Someone please educate newspeople on the difference between hereditary fat and "healthy".

And again, it does beg the question: What happens to this little girl when mom just can't/won't take care of her anymore?? So very sad.

I'm with you all...I thank God every day that I have healthy children...little monsters they may be.

vamedic4

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · May 6, 2007

Yes, I saw that and felt the same way. It may be a miracle that she is alive but it doesn't look as though she has any quality of life. I'd be willing to bet she's got a nurse 24/7 compliments of the federal government.