The Mighty, Part II

Noah is home!

No, not my Noah. Well. Yes. He IS home, but that's nothing remarkable, unlike Stepherz's Noah, who finally came home from the neonatal intensive care unit today following his premature birth brought on by toxemia and placental abruption.

Stephanie actually sent me an email last week about blogging the NICU experience:

I never realized how many mommas there were out there having to leave their babes behind in the NICU after birth, and how totally earth shaking and unnatural that actually feels-- but recently I found that out. I couldn't be the only mom out there writing about that heartache, the struggle, and then the happy endings.

Nope, she sure isn't. Miss W did. Julie did. Elizabeth did. Maggie has been reliving the experience through photo essays, much like Christy has done through her writing.

And then there's Laura, a NICU RN (and adoptive parent to one of her tiny charges), who has this to say about working with all those sick babies and terrified parents:

In my heart of hearts, I believe that my being a mother is truly a calling, a ministry. But I also believe that what I do outside of the home as an RN in the NICU is also a calling. I believe that God has called me to be there for families, for critically ill and fragile babies just as much as He called me to be the best mother I am (in my own inept way) to Holly, Zoë, Abigael, Jodie and Daniel.

I don't want anyone's baby to be sick. I don't want anyone's baby to be anything but gloriously full-term and robust and thriving. But if it does happen, I wish everybody nurses like Laura and a happy ending like Stephanie's.

Comments

[Susan]

Our first son spent ten days in the NICU, which seemed like a lifetime but is just a teeny tiny sliver of time in the life of NICU babies. In those ten days, though, the nurses were amazing. They advised me about pumping and diaper changing and swaddling; they recommended the pediatrician and pediatric opthamalogist we still see, six years later. They hugged me and brought me kleenex and took polaroid pictures of my husband holding our son for the first time. They were a lifeline.

[Emily]

My (and Elizabeth's) dear friend gave birth to a preemie almost 3 years ago September. Unfortantely he left us only 11 days after his birth. For this reason, Heather (http://angelsfight.blogspot.com)has decided to start a NICU support program in her area. She was there all through sweet Caleb's life and has found some meaning in her loss.

[laura]

thank you!
I am truly, truly humbled by your mention in this post to welcome home Noah!'congratulations to his family and many blessings to them all!
the only thing I might take exception to is the fact that Daniel, my micro-preemie is first and foremost and always will be, my child. The fact that I didn't physically give birth to him is immaterial to how I feel about him and the 4 I did give birth to him. The fact that he is adopted is often an afterthought as he is our son, brother, playmate and just another piece to the puzzle that is our family.

[Erin]

The best blog on the web (present company excluded of course) on this subject is http://snowdeal.org/section/ex_machina/
The story of Odin's struggle and triumph over the NICU is inspirational. His father's writing continues to be phenomenal.

[Amalah]

Oh my goodness, I'm sorry Laura -- of COURSE he is your child. I certainly didn't mean to imply that I thought anything different, because I don't.

[mothergoosemouse]

I bow down to nurses of all specialties, but especially to those like Laura who care for struggling little ones. Their mental and emotional strength is awesome.

[sarah]

The 7 days Ethan spent in the NICU were the longest of my life. The nurses were phenomenal and I owe them such a debt of gratitude for my wonderful, healthy little boy...

[Kate]

I love http://micropreemietwins.blogspot.com which chronicles the adventures of micropreemie twins Holland and Eden. Their mom, Billie, has a blogroll of other micropreemie and twin blogs as well.

[Jenn]

My son spent a week in the NICU after a neonatal stroke. I went home after four days. It was the most awful, empty feeling I've ever had in my life, leaving my baby behind in that hospital 45 minutes away. I cried and cried and cried. But thanks to nurses like you, Laura, I was confident that he was being taken care of very well, and he got to come home three days later. It takes a special kind of person to do what you do. Here's to you, and here's to the moms who spend months going back to the hospital and spending hours in the NICU with their babies.

[amy]

My kiddo spent 104 days in the NICU and I cannot thank the team of nurses, respiratory therapist, lactation consultants, fellows, residents, and doctors who not only save his life, but also helped us to become a family during the most difficult time in our lives.

There will never be enough words to thank them for what they did for us and what they continue to do each day. We are still in touch with his primary care nurses. These women loved my son and cared for him as if he were their own. I know he is doing as well as he is now because of the care he received then.

The only way I know how to pay tribute to all that was done for us is to try and be the best mother I can to my little guy, to help him grow and flourish and make good use of the life they helped to save.

[Tara]

I too experienced having my baby girl born three months premature due to DV. They told me to prepare for the death of my daughter and flew her to another hospital 25 miles away. She came home about 2.5 months later on a heart monitor and now 10 yars later she is perfectly healthy. I talked to her each day and night and read her stories while she laid there with tubs and a vent over her. I was a very difficult experience but I can say I am thankful for those that cared for her each day and night.

[Christy]

After 94 days in the NICU with my son Elias and now as a staff support person for families in the same NICU, I am continually in awe of the compassionate professionalism of the nurses and the way these little ones teach us how deep our love runs.

Thanks for including me in your post Amy.

[Stepherz]

Thank you, Amy, for mentioning my Noah in your post. You hit the nail on the head-- these little ones may be tiny in size but they are mighty in heart! Noah is growing stronger everyday and packing some ounces on. Thanks again!