32 Days Ago

32 Days ago we became NICU parents much to our surprise. As Emma made her way to UVA in the Newborn Emergency Transport, my Mom and Dad drove Jason and I to UVA. As I sat in the backseat of the car my mind wander wondering just what the outcome would be for my precious baby. It was at that moment that I prayed and told God that when my baby got through all this I would find a way to pay it forward. It was at this moment that Jason and I realized our faith and relationship with the Lord was going to be strengthened in a way we could never imagine. Little did we know that our little girl would strengthen so many other people and their relationship with the Lord.
April 1st Emma was officially admitted into the NICU at the University of Virginia Medical Center. Emotions filled us as the stability of our little girl was going to be a roller coaster ride. After waiting in the waiting room for what seemed like an eternity, we were finally able to go back and see Emma. Tears come to my eyes right now as I type this and think about all the machines, tubes, and IVs that were keeping our baby stable. We wanted to pick her up and hold her reassuring her it would all be okay, but that wasn't a choice for us. It would be 16 days before we would be able to hold our baby and then it would be with tubes and probes all over her body. We held her hand and gave her kisses letting her know that it would be okay and that we loved her. The next day was the big "ECMO Scare" - just when things were looking wonderful we thought she was going to be put on the heart and lung bypass machine. Thankfully that experience was just a scare and that procedure didn't take place.
Our next mountain to climb was waiting the week for surgery. That had to be the longest time of my life. It was important that Emma stayed stable for that week. We prayed all day long that she would continue to stay stable. Prayers worked and she went to surgery and came out a star. Next it was time to climb yet again another mountain and recover from surgery. Emma continued to be a star - a nickname and honor that she earned in the NICU. Our last mountain was a rough one for the 3 of us. Emma needed to eat and gain weight. The only problem was she spent the first couple weeks of her life with tubes crammed down her throat and the pain meds were causing her to not want to eat.
Well this weekend Emma climbed the mountain and stood at the top in all her glory. She picked up on eating and gained weight like she was suppose to do. She doesn't like for anyone but Mommy or Daddy to feed her right now, but that is okay with us.
So 32 days ago our baby entered the NICU, but today we left the NICU with a healthy baby who is eating. Emma still has a long way to go and it scares us to think that she only has one full lung. While we are worried that she will have breathing issues down the road, Daddy has plans for her to be a track start even if she only has one full lung. Today when we left it was both a sad and happy day. The relationships that you create in the NICU are amazing. The doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, and the rest of the NICU staff become your own cheering squad.
Coming home today I thought about that first night in the car on the way to UVA and how I would pay it forward. It has come to me in the last few days. Jason and I will find ways to help the Ronald McDonald House that was our home away from home for over a month, we will become advocates for CDH and get the message out there, and we will try and help the NICU by donating clothes, books, and supplies that families without might not have while spending their time there. It may not be a lot, but it is our own little way to pay it forward and be thankful for the Lord getting Emma through this tough time and home where she belongs.