It all started with swollen feet. Normal for most pregnant women so we thought nothing of it. Until I was having a hard time taking deep breaths. We called the clinic and they suggested the ER. That was an entire day of test, X-rays and waiting. A lot of waiting. After being told all day it was a blood clot they ruled that out and we were about to head home. They next thing we knew we where surrounded by the OB team, turning lights off, hooking me up to IVs and monitors. They were saying things like "sever preeclampsia", "wouldn't be leaving pregnant" and "the NICU is not equipped to handle his age". I was moved to L&D and given a batamethazone steroid shot to help August's lungs, brain and skin develop faster before being transferred by ambulance to United Hospital/Children's Hospital. They kept my eyes covered to reduce the chance of seizure. I remember thinking, I thought I would know if I was that sick and my baby was in danger. I was pretty out of it the next couple of days with all the medications. I was given a second steroid shot and the goal became keeping him in for 24 more hours so he could get the full affect. We made it 3 hours short of our deadline before little Auggie's heart rate started to drop and it was time. It was 5 hours after my beautiful baby boy was born before I could see him. 5 days until I could hold him.
August spent 79 days in Children's Hospital Saint Paul NICU getting the best care. And so did my husband and I. They don't just take care of the sweet babies but also the whole family. Your baby needs your strength and they make sure to hold your hand and get you there. Our son was given care by the most amazing and competent doctors, nurses, specialists and volunteers. We firmly believe they are the reason our baby boy is who he is today. A crazy, energetic, smart, beautiful, loving two year old.
We believe in these wonderful people so much we will only take our son to Children's now. That is were his pediatrician is located, where he had his inguinal hernia surgery and will be having his tonsils removed.
We will never be able to repay the men and women who took such good care of our entire family. So we do what we can. We walk.