Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Has it really been a year?

A year ago today, we left these doors for good. The NICU is rough folks. Especially when your baby is on an extended stay. We had some dark times there. But being on the outside now, I've become so thankful for our time in there. It seemed like every day we learned something new. Sometimes it was bad and sometimes it was the best news ever. But all of it was necessary. We needed the 67 days to figure Davy out.

Yikes, look how yellow she was! I didn't realize it at the time, but girlfriend had jaundice bad.
Thanks to our awesome family we could have Our NICU date nights.
I hated all the tubes,wires, IVs and beeping things. Who can forget the large tube that sucked the large amounts of bile from her tummy. I know I will never forget when I spilled all that bile all over myself. There is nothing like the smell of bile.


This was her first surgery. She did not do so well after this. This was a very scary week. But through this we learned a valuable piece of information. We learned that Davy did not make the stress hormone(cortisol). This was lifesaving information. So I am actually thankful for this dark time.
Look how swollen she was! I remember her head swelling over her ears.

This was one of my best days. This was when My little girl came back. This was when I got to hold her again. So what if there were wires and IVs. They didn't seem so bad anymore.


Leaving for CHOC. We are still paying for that ambulance ride.

The one thing that I miss about the NICU was not having to deal with all the insurance crap. You need to see a specialist? Bam! The specialist is there. You need a test? How's tomorrow?No waiting for requests and authorizations. No hours spent in pleading phone calls on your child's behalf.


If your reading this and you have a baby in the NICU, let me tell you something................
I know life is tough right now, you will get through this, I promise. Get a journal and write everything down. Write about what nurses you had, what meds were given, your feelings, just write about everything, OK? I am so thankful I did. You really do forget a lot. Especially when your sleep deprived, emotional and still healing from child birth.

And people, if you have a loved one in the NICU, please go visit them. It gets pretty lonely in there. Maybe bring them a snack and a people magazine too.


15 comments:

Anonymous said...

wow, what a ride. i love how davy illuminates your photos throughout. she is one tough little cookie and you guys are all so blessed to have one another!
the time our (twin) girls spent in the nicu seemed painfully long at the time, and now 6+ years later life is whizzing by as they continue to amaze + teach us every day. you are so right that it takes that time to figure them out - one of our nurses told us early on that babies will let you know when they are ready. it all took time, but they did in fact lift their bellies off the floor and crawl - when they were ready. they learned to talk - when they were ready. and yes with braces on their feet, they both eventually walked - when they were ready. that connection with who they both are allows me to celebrate their moments regardless of anyone else's timeline, which is really great. and we are so very thankful for all the people in the nicu - it all seems like a blur now - seeds were planted in our hearts and minds that continue to flourish.

kimmomofnine said...

What a beautiful post :) She is an amazing girl and you are one amazing chick!

Airica said...

As one of the nicu nurses that cared for davy during her stay at UCI, remember this little girl's journey well. She was such a joy to care for which I am sure was also in part because of her truly amazing family! Happy 1st Birthday Davy! You are a genuine angel!

Emily said...

First of all, Davy must have been the best dressed baby in all of NICU history. What a cutie pie! Second of all, after all that she has been through you have to know that she is meant to be here on this earth for a special reason. That little Davy is going to make some waves here :) What a neat little person she is and what a beautiful family you have. Thanks for sharing!

Melinda said...

Those pictures are so beautiful! (The second to last with the little outfit is AWESOME! haha) I think its so cool you wrote everything down, I'm sure it was so hard at the times, but such a treasure to have for when Davy's older.

Beth said...

What a difference 1 years makes! Our little Davy has come such a long way and so have you :)

Heather said...

I totally teared up at this post... haven't done that in awhile. Wow... a year? Already? Can you believe it? See how much Davy and you guys have come thus far... she's an amazing little girl, with the whole wide world ahead of her thanks to her parents, her doctor's, her extended family and friends, and her Father in Heaven. For as long as she is with you guys, she is going to be loved by ALL. Thanks again, Ruth, for letting us (peek) into yours and Davy's life.

Lynne said...

Davy has come a long way(with her family in tow!) Thanks for sharing this journey with us!

Wordfiend said...

Beautiful pictures -- her eyes are just so captivating, and I love her smile in the last picture.

Paige said...

Our daughter just spent 88 days in the NICU (we took her home a month ago) It makes me feel so good to read your story and know that there is such beautiful hope after the NICU. Thank you for sharing your incredible Davy with us!!

Ale said...

one year! time goes by so quickly.
I had my little baby, now 6 months in NICU as well, during delivery he had a little injury on the head, which got really infected....
Those were really dark times like you say, but, you are right, it ends, and when we left the hospital I felt a happiness that you can´t describe.

I send all my love to Davy, she is simply amazing!

Tony and Whitney said...

Thank you. My stay ended two years ago. We were not planning on our little man being in there--as I had a very normal pregnancy and delivery. We were only in for 16 days, but it was life changing for me. I will never forget the lessons learned and the roller coaster ride we faced. I love your blog. You make me want to be a better mom. Thanks for your story.

L. said...

My sun just spent 90 days in the NICU (UCIRN in POrtugal). He have P.C. and with a one year old he don´t crawl - yet! Your words give me hope! Thank you.

Kerri said...

Ruth, I don't know how I missed that you were going through this! What a sweet girl...her eyes shine. Much love to you and your family. Good luck with the benefit. I hope it is fantastic.

Megan said...

i love these pictures. i've said it before, but davy is a doll! i'm so happy for the amazing progress she has made in just one year.