Today is Preemie Awareness Day.
I am very aware of my preemie every day. Because he chews on me. And when we go out, people ask if he is a doll.
But maybe you are not as aware of him, or preemies, and so here you go:
Buster was born almost two months early as a result of severe preeclampsia on my part. Essentially, we went in for a routine visit and they cut him out so neither of us died. Fun times.
He was three pounds and five and a half ounces big, and sixteen inches long. He was in the NICU for thirty days. It sucked. I can't even write about how much it sucked because it makes me panic.
It is no hyperbole to say that the doctors and nurses at University Medical Center saved his life. The nurses, especially, because they cared for him around the clock.
I love nurses.
If you have a preemie, or are faced with an uncertain pregnancy, let me tell you--there is so much hope. These babies have an amazing will to live. And they do. Much smaller than Buster, much earlier than Buster. They thrive.
Now go give some money to March of Dimes. And some Pink Bev to a nurse.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
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9 comments:
I am very aware of preemies, but had no idea today was Preemie Awareness Day! Thanks for the heads up!
My best friend delivered a 15.5 ounce 25-week preemie back in May. Quinn is doing beautifully and is home and thriving. The doctors and nurses were nothing short of miracle workers, and Quinn is a fighter and a living, breathing miracle in the flesh.
She just turned six months old, and we're all in awe of her! http://thewhinesellers.blogspot.com/
Holy Yikes, not even a pound. The baby next to mine came in the day before we left, and he was 1 pound and change--I had never seen anything that small.
Also, I can't even begin to explain the spirit in the NICU. It is a holy place, I think.
I was pregnant at the time Quinn was born (due months before my friend but delivered two months after her) and it was trippy to see pictures, and then Quinn in person (saw her first at 2 1/2 lbs.), and basically watch a fetus develop on the outside of her mother. How freaking amazing is modern medicine and the human spirit's will to survive?!
He is seriously too freaking adorable. I'm so happy for you that he is ok and thriving!
My friend delivered at 26 weeks a 1 lb. baby girl, due to preeclampsia as well. That tiny little girl is now a sweet, totally normal in every way 8 year old. It's amazing to know how far she's come.
Thank goodness for modern medicine, for sure!
I wants him. For snuggling.
Babies are so awesome, and I am so grateful for NICUs and nurses and Marches of Dimes and everything that helps babies be alive and awesome.
Suddenly my prior volunteer efforts for both March of Dimes and Primary Children's Hospital (not your hospital I know, but same idea) seems like it counted for something.
And yeah, I want to snuggle your sweet baby some more.
Oh Buster! He's so beautiful and healthy.
Yay for neither of you dying. Preemie or not he'll still be taller than our kids.
So my youngest sister was/is a preemie, 3 months early and 1 pound 7 ounces, my dad could hold her in one hand and none of the Doctors thought she had much of a chance at a normal life. She is now 17, graduating from High School with her associates degree from college and wants to be a neonatalogist (preemie doctor) we are grateful every day for the nurses and Doctors at Primary Children's who made that possible, and the blessing she is in our lives. Yay preemies, and bless the mothers who worry over them every single day.
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