Topics Discussed This Month
What inspired you???

Dave wonders, "...can't help remembering the SCBUs, ward 24..... I was wondering what had inspired everybody when they were going through their difficult times?
For me it was (and still is) my wife Trish and 'playing' Journey's "Don't stop believin'" (in my head) as we (have) spent months in hospitals."

Donna replies, "My inspiration was Megan's primary care nurse.  Debbie was so wonderful!! She cared for Megan from day one.  She knew how difficult a time I was having. She put bows on Meggie's bald head....especially when there would be an IV in it.  She took lots of polaroid pictures..........the first time I ever saw my daughters face with no tubes or tape was when they changed the intubation tube........and of course, my Debbie was there with the camera!!! She was the one constant in my life for the 75 days Megan was in the NICU, and has become a good friend  since then.  I was very blessed to have such a wonderful living Angel looking over my daughter.  Debbie still sends cards to Megan and we visit her in the NICU often. We love her very much!"

Tracy remebers, "See, my inspiration has changed so many times since Stephen was born.  At first I really don't know that I had an ispiration, I just felt lost and scared and afraid to hope too hard.  Then Stephen's first nurse Coleen stepped in and inspired me.  It was a simple thing, but oh so important.  She made sure that when the order came for Stephen's arterial line to come out and him to be held when I was getting lunch, that she had it done before I came back.  She then just simply asked me if I wanted to hold MY baby, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.  From there, there were many things that kept me going, but the biggest inspiration was Stephen himself.  Watching him overcome complications again and again, and recover from illness after illness and work to learn to do all the things babies do, that is the biggest inspiration to me.  I also have found my faith renewed through him.  I truly feel as though I am watching and living with a miracle every day."

Jan adds, "While Ben and Kerry were in the NICU, I got my inspiration from their neo. He would bend over them each day in their isolettes or cribs and he would murmer "You are so beautiful.  You are so strong and wonderful."  It was like he was blessing the children with his words and gentleness.  I know he genuinely loved my kids and I think they knew it and still know.  They love to play with him when we come back to the unit to visit.  I think he modeled loving behavior that helped me to bond. He strongly encouraged kangaroo care. He convinced me in no uncertain terms that if I wanted to breastfeed we would be able to. He always asked me "Are you eating?  Are you sleeping?"  He acknowkedged me as the vital link our babies needed.  That is family centered care.  He didn't get mad when my 3 y.o. visited the unit and erased all the patient names off the dry erase board. He met with Steve and I on Sundays as Steve was in the middle of tax season.  He showed up at my son's bedside at a different hospital after he was transfered for an emergency surgery on a Sat.  When I asked him what he was doing there he told me he was grocery shopping for his wife and was "in the area."  Turns out he lives 30 min. away!  He carried my son's CT scan x-rays from 1 hospital to the other in the trunk of his car so I could see them. He patiently explained every medical issue and term to me. He always had time to talk and answer questions. He lent me books on Infant Massage and Meditation.   He held my hand while I held Ben and cried after he had a brady.  He asked why I was crying and I said it didn't matter.  He said "It does matter."   I asked him if he knew how long my twins had been on the unit and he said "104 days too long." He was (and is) incredible.  He is now taking care of the twins born to my friend and colleage at 33 weeks, and was offering the same support to her. As he held up Ben and said to my friend "Can you believe that this guy was not 2 lbs. when he was born.  It took him 6 weeks to get as big as your baby."  You could see the light of hope kindled in her eyes when she said "Really?" This MD was born to do what he is doing.  His name is Amar Sandhu.  I wish there were more out there like him."

Teresa writes,"I don't think I ever had any inspiration from anyone or anything except James himself. I knew he was a miracle from the time I knew he existed. He has shown it again and again. I named James after my hero and my father. They are both the most stubbornest people and never give up (even though my hero is a ficticious character, he has a type of spirit that is very much alive) I felt he needed a name like that. I realized the other day that James has become my hero. He is absolutely amazing. And pretty cut to boot! :)"