{"id":512,"date":"2020-09-25T08:31:13","date_gmt":"2020-09-25T13:31:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/runningfromrunning.com\/?p=512"},"modified":"2021-01-08T14:50:43","modified_gmt":"2021-01-08T20:50:43","slug":"nicu-awareness-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/runningfromrunning.com\/index.php\/2020\/09\/25\/nicu-awareness-month\/","title":{"rendered":"NICU Awareness Month"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

I may be late to the game here, but September is NICU Awareness month. Having experienced the NICU multiple times, I can honestly say nothing can prepare you for the rollercoaster of emotions one goes through, nor is there any way to explain it to anyone who hasn’t been there. It is truly something that can only be experienced. You feel like you\u2019re in some secret society no one understands and when you meet someone who has been through it you get a little breath of relief because you’re reminded you\u2019re not alone.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

This picture was the first time I saw the twins. I was starting to come out of anesthesia from an emergency c-section the night before. I will never forget that moment \u2014 the lump in my throat is \"twinsswelling just recalling it now. Half awake, I asked Chris, \u201cAre they alive?\u201d He pulled out his phone and showed me these pictures, letting me know they were \u2014 they were so tiny \u2014 Bailey weighing in at 1lb 11oz and Hayes at 1lb 9oz. I remember feeling completely numb and totally overwhelmed at the same time, but too physically wore down to keep up. It had really happened. The twins were born four months early at 24 weeks. It was truly the beginning of a new life for all of us.<\/p>\r\n

We spent 5 months in the NICU with the twins. Consisting of three surgeries, two hospital transfers, one devastating diagnosis and too many infections to count. It was some of the scariest and most confusing days of my life. As if becoming a parent isn’t already life changing enough, going into the NICU as a new parent is like a crash course in Survival 101 blind. Everything you thought, heard or expected about becoming a parent is being crushed…thrown out the window. Those pictures of mom holding her newborn baby all swaddled up in the hospital bed — not happening. You are in a whole new world now, the NICU world, but let me make one thing clear — you are not alone.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

There are so many resources now for NICU families. First and foremost, the nurses. We are so blessed to have had such an amazing group of nurses in the NICU, who set the bar extremely high for future nurses. We still keep in touch with many of them who not only cared for our children, but us too. They were an incredible example of how to care for and love with a Christ-like love on us crazy emotional parents and our tiny miracles. They were there every step of the way, explaining, guiding and supporting us during an extremely volatile time. Like changing a preemie diaper for the first time and holding your child for the first time, wires, tubes, machines and all.\u00a0 They have a special place in our lives forever.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n