NICU Survival Stats
Little Ellie Anderson has just started to open her eyes, and suck on her
fingers. She is almost three weeks old and weighs just one pound.
Twin brother, Zachary, weighs the same and looks like he hasn't grown into his
skin, either.
For first-time parents, Jeff and Laurie Anderson, clinging to each other
gets them through this challenging time-- hoping and praying their babies will
survive.
Jeff says, "I commend all the parents that are parents of an N.I.C.U. baby,
because I wouldn't wish it on anybody."
"I think the toughest part is not being able to hold the babies or not being
able to interact with them... not even sure if they know you're there," he
says.
Laurie adds, "I just want to hold them and kiss them. I tell them that I love
them all the time, but I just want them home with me."
But that won't be for several months. In the meantime, the doctors and
nurses and equipment will work to keep them alive.
The very tiny babies are surrounded by machines and this is the most important
one, the ventilator, which helps them breathe.
Then there are all of these tubes, one for feeding, another for taking blood
and still others for different tests.
They are protected by a plastic covering. It keeps moisture in to protect their
skin, and germs out, so that they won't get infections."
It's times like these that parents need emotional support.
It's customary at Primary Children's for nurses to make tiny hand molds
of premature infants -- something for parents to hold on to while they wait.
And something to remember their tiny children by, and hopefully, someday, share
with their children.
Laurie says, "I'll treasure them. They're just little, teeny, tiny fingers, but
it was a surprise when we came in. She just gave it to us and it was very
sweet."
"I'm sure Ellie, when she's older, Ellie and Zach will both want to see this,"
Jeff says. "They've done footprints and handprints of both of their hands and
feet and put them on little cards. It just makes this experience a little less
stressful."
The Andersons say no one could anticipate days and nights in a newborn
intensive care unit, waiting and watching their children struggle to live, but
they also would not trade it.
According to Jeff, "Even through all the problems that they've had, they've
brought the most joy in our lives that we've known. So, it's a rollercoaster
ride, is what they keep telling us... and they weren't kidding around."
