My NICU Story - Part 1
My NICU story began in the fall of 2004 while finishing my last year in undergrad at MBC. There I was, carrying a demanding 25 credit course load, newly married, and very pregnant. My new husband was stationed in Germany and after graduation I planned to join him. The baby was a part of the equation we hadn't initially planned for. However, I wasn't due until the end of March and my school year would end in April, so we hoped for the best. I had meticulously planned out my final few weeks with my professors, in preparation for an early departure. I was completely prepared for this, or so I thought; but what happened next was something you just can't prepare for.
I was wrapping up my fall semester with respectable grades, a growing belly, and also working as a Resident Advisor. What can I say? I love a challenge. In preparation for winter break I packed my car, filled my tank with gas, and turned in my final exams and papers. I was feeling pretty proud of myself for pushing through. I could finally see the finish line. Whew! I had one last thing to do before hitting the road for the almost 3 hour drive home for the holidays. I had to make the 45 minute journey a little further north to my prenatal appointment. I arrived early because I was anxious to get it over with and finally go home. The nurse took my vitals as usual and I waited for the doctor to come in. He said that he wanted to do a vaginal exam just to check on my progress. After the exam I was instructed to submit a urine sample and was sent to a quiet relaxation room. I thought that was a little weird, but I obliged.
The nurse and doctor soon came into the room and re-checked my blood pressure. They explained to me that it was extremely high (210/111). They informed me that I had protein in my urine and that I was slightly dilated to about 2 cm. Pre-eclampsia was something I had never really heard of, but they were pretty certain that was the diagnosis. The doctor very calmly took my hand, looked me straight in the eye, and said, "Meet me at the hospital. There is a team waiting on you." I was scared, confused, and angry all at the same time. I thought, "How could this be? My perfect plan is ruined." I agreed and calmly walked to my car. After plotting how long it would take me to just drive home and deal with it there with my family surrounding me, a still quiet voice said, "No. Go to the hospital." After breaking down in my car for a few minutes, I collected myself and headed to the nearest hospital alone and scared, thus beginning my NICU journey. The next two months would forever change me as a woman, a mother, and a Christian.
When I arrived at the hospital there was a team of nurses and doctors waiting outside of the front entrance with a wheelchair and a stretcher. I parked and they quickly whisked me away to the maternity floor. Before I could even make it to my room, they pricked me with an unexpected steroid shot for the baby's lungs. Once in the room they quickly strapped me down with baby monitors, oxygen, and IV fluids. I was so scared. I didn't know what was happening. Again, I broke down and the nurses tried to comfort me the best way that they could while asking where my family was. That made me even more hysterical as a I tried to explain that my husband was in Germany and my family was hours away. My doctor finally arrived and told me that his suspicions of pre-eclampsia were correct and that the only cure was delivery. There were two problems with this: I was only 28 weeks into my pregnancy and this hospital didn't have a NICU. They would have to transport me by ambulance to another hospital an hour and a half further north. This meant that I would now be 5 & 1/2 hours away from my family and anyone that I knew including my OB. This was turning into a nightmare! The medical staff frantically tried to track my husband down through Red Cross and contact my family. All I knew to do was pray; and I've never prayed so hard in my life.
The medical staff quickly put me in an ambulance headed for Roanoke, VA. Once there, I was quickly checked into the maternity floor and settled into my room. My blood pressure was still very high, so I had a nurse assigned to my room around the clock to make sure I didn't go into any seizures. The hospital staff did everything they could to keep me informed about what was happening and they tried their best to comfort me in my family's absence.
A week later, on December 14, 2004, my son Andre Javon Washington (A.J.) entered the world via emergency C-Section at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke, VA. He weighed 1 lb 12 oz. Though tiny, the doctors were pleased that he was breathing on his own with minimal oxygen flow. He just needed to grow. I was relieved and thanked God for this awesome miracle! My husband and some of my family arrived about two days later and as soon as I was released, they helped us get settled into the Ronald McDonald House so that we could stay with our baby. Everyone was so nice and helpful with getting us the resources we needed. We were getting close to Christmas and we were feeling very blessed. As a gift, the hospital paid for my baby to be air lifted to Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters in Norfolk, VA so that we could all be home with family for the holidays. It was such a special gift, and one that I will always be grateful for.
Once we were all home and had the support of our family, I was able to spend the days and nights concentrating on visiting, pumping, nursing, and kangaroo care with my tiny miracle. The hospital staff was wonderful with helping us learn to navigate this new world called the NICU, with it's unfamiliar lights and beeping sounds. They made the hours spent there more comfortable as time went on; and the NICU became a less confusing and scary place. They cared for our little one as if he was their own. Thankfully, he had very few challenges and continued to get stronger day by day. We were beyond blessed!
Finally, on February 14, 2005, after 63 days, my son was released from the NICU, weighing in at 4 lbs 4 oz. He thrived at home with very few developmental delays and was all caught up by age two. Today he is a happy and healthy teenage boy! My world was forever changed in an instant!
My journey was my own and I wouldn't change it for anything. I thank God for the miracles He has allowed me to witness and I will forever give Him all the Praise! Also, in case you were wondering--Yes, I did graduate, by the Grace of God!
I'm proud to talk about my NICU journey because my testimony can help someone else. If you would like to share your story on my blog or in my upcoming book, Rainbows, Miracles, & Blessings, feel free to message me privately or leave a comment below. I'd love to hear from you!
God Bless,