Meet Aurora!

The excitement of a first born child, the start of parenthood, baby showers, and the rush of so many emotions over 9 short months. This is what my wife and I had planned for and what we'd hoped for until our precious little girl Aurora, not even born yet, was diagnosed with a Congenital Heart Defect called Aortic Stenosis. What would we do now? Where would we seek care? What would the outcome be? We'd eventually find ourselves sitting in an office at Helen Devos Children's Hospital, waiting to speak with a cardiologist about our daughter's condition and determine what could be done for her. The cardiology team at Helen Devos Children's Hospital was fantastic, they answered our questions, provided us with an excellent care team, and gave us hope for a good outcome. 

After weeks of planning and preparation the day had finally come to meet our daughter. We greeted her with love and were so thankful for that day. The amount of care and the staff in place to make sure her delivery and first surgery was successful was unlike anything her mother and I had ever seen before. The journey ahead was still long though, spending 59 days in the PICU and also enduring another open heart surgery. But, with all the love, care, and support from the staff and cardiology team at Helen Devos Children's Hospital we were finally able to take a daugher home the day after Christmas. We're still blessed to this day that Aurora has a fantastic care team to follow her on this journey, she is now a fun loving three year old living her best life, because of all the healing hands at Helen Devos Children's Hospital.

Story told by dad, Justin!

Meet Henry!

In February 2020 we welcomed our first child into the world. What I always hoped would be the most beautiful day of our lives, was the beginning of a terrifying chapter. Henry was born at 27 weeks gestation weighing a mere 2lbs 6oz. The day of his birth was a mix of conflicting feelings; the agonizing uncertainty of a troubled pregnancy had finally come to an end, and we were now entering the agonizing uncertainty of a long hospital stay.

Being wheeled into my baby’s room for the first time was like entering a new dimension. The sights and sounds of the machinery were overwhelming. Somewhere under the tubes and wires laid my newborn baby, except, he wasn’t full term. He wasn’t lying next to me in my recovery room swaddled in his monogramed blanket. I didn’t get to hear a cry, attempt to breastfeed, or change his first diaper. Instead, his skin had a red hue, his face was covered by respiratory equipment, and his chest was speckled with electrodes as he was laying in an enclosed isolette.  

Day one, there is only a finite amount of information we would be able to comprehend. Though, as each day passed, we realized our baby was in good hands, receiving the best care. We also learned that the nurses are part angel, as they not only nurture the babies, but the parents too. We were taught how to change diapers, administer feeds through a feeding tube, and even snuggle his tiny body on our chest. Every first hands-on experience made us doubt our capabilities, but after two months passing and nearly 4lbs gained, we were ready to take the NICU knowledge home with us. Thanks to our extended stay and daily visits, we were taught schedules, hygiene, nutrition, and great confidence in bringing home our now healthy and thriving son.

Today we celebrate milestones we weren’t sure we would ever experience. Henry, and his journey, have been the greatest joy of our lives, and our gratitude for his life is never lost.

Story told by mom, Chelsea!

Meet Maren, Norah, + Kellen!

At our 6 week ultrasound, during the height of the pandemic, I sat alone to receive the surprising news we would be expecting spontaneous triplets! Shocked, overwhelmed and so unsure, we began preparing for a life with multiples and 4 children under the age of 4, a different kind of birth plan, a guaranteed NICU stay and caring for preemie babies. After what felt like the longest and hardest pregnancy, my trio was born at 32 weeks: Maren Elizabeth weighing 3lbs 14oz, Norah Jean weighing 3lbs 7oz and Kellen Charles weighing 4lbs 6oz.

We knew all 3 babies would be rushed to the NICU immediately following my c-section but nothing and no one could prepare you to meet your newborn babies with their faces covered by c-pap masks, feeding tubes and multiple wires while laying in an incubated box. I was terrified to walk into their room, afraid I wouldn’t recognize my own children or be able to tell them apart. My first memory was of a friendly face greeting me, assuring me my babies were doing well and “introducing” each to me with a colorful sign with each of their names created by two of the sweetest nurses I have come in contact with. 

Over our 6 week stay, the care my babies and myself received at HDVCH is something I look back on and cherish. The wonderful people working day and night for our children will forever hold a special place in my heart. They were so patient with us;  listening to all of my concerns, problem solving feeding difficulties, greeting me with a smile and sometimes a hug when they knew I needed one after leaving my toddlers at home to sit in the NICU day after day, answering my middle of the night calls to check if my babies ate enough at their feeding times, allowing us to get off schedule because I was determined to change and feed all 3 babies on my own and most importantly snuggling my babies when I couldn’t be there and sharing photos they had taken when my heart ached to be with them.

The entire team at HDVCH has left a permanent imprint in my life through the love, compassion, knowledge and outstanding care they have provided our family. I feel incredibly lucky to live in a city with such amazing medical care and resources! My triplets are 15 months now and they are all healthy, happy and thriving! “Thank you” doesn’t even seem to be enough but our family is forever changed in the best way possible by HDVCH NICU!

Story told by mom, Lauren!