NICU Reunion 2008

On Saturday, we had the opportunity to attend the Utah Valley NICU Reunion. It was something that I had been looking forward to for weeks. We went, and they had quite the set-up. They pretty much had all the Cotton Candy you could eat, which is good enough for me. I will tell you that the single sloppy joe, served with a whole lotta nothing could have been improved upon. I'm not writing to tell you about the food though....

This reunion was something I can't quite explain. It seems like it's been a lifetime since Hazen was there. In the walls of that Hospital, I went through my own personal hell, but also realized how much Heavenly Father hears our prayers.

This is Lindsey and her little boy, Jacob. Lindsey and Jason actually grew up together in Livermore. We didn't actually see her in the NICU until a few days before she was going home, but Jacob is adorable!!! I guess he's rolling like crazy. I am a firm believer that those with older siblings are much more inclined to roll like maniacs. Seeing that I traditionally don't attack Hazen on the ground, he's a little lazy. I'm sad that I didn't get a good up-close picture of Jacob, because he's to die for!!
This is Annie. She is the Occupational Therapist, and really adored Hazen. She didn't have too much interaction with him when he was actually in the hospital, because for the most part, he was too sick, but since coming home, she has been such a great advocate for him getting the follow-up care that he needs.

This is Dr. Gerday. Seeing him really was the most bittersweet. He was the Dr that sat me down and told me that I had a horribly sick baby that most likely was going to have long-term brain damage. Although Hazen wasn't really "performing" like I would have liked him to (It was hotter than Hades in there), I was so grateful to be able to present a healthy, beautiful, happy boy to him. I told him, "See, there ARE other sides to the horror stories. Isn't it a beautiful thing?"

This is Charlene. Uhh...I actually don't know her last name. She was a heaven-send. I don't know if she's like this for all of her patients, but she took such incredible care of Hazen AND me. She was his Nurse Practitioner, and seemed to take a special liking to my sweet HAL. Charlene would make sure to call me at least once every day. She would take special time out to sit with me at his bedside, and never seemed too busy for my questions. I'll never forget one Sunday afternoon while I sat at his bedside, she sat with me for over an hour discussion the situation. She calmly and honestly told me what things I didn't need to worry about....and what things I DID need to worry about. When Hazen got transferred to Primary's, I called her one day in tears, and she gave me some words of wisdom. When she found out who we were planning on having as a pediatrician, she pulled me aside (totally against the rules!!), and told me that since she cared so much about Hazen, I needed to have him see a different Dr. This has turned out to be such a blessing. Charlene is the one who discharged Hazen- I'm so sad I didn't get a picture of them that day. She was so shocked at how much he's grown. I love and respect Charlene more than I'll ever really be able to express.

I don't know if we'll have to re-live the experience of having a sick baby. I hope not- but you never know. I do know, that we were so blessed to have such capable, caring, and wonderful staff see our little angel through the first rough days of his life. There was nothing that would make me happier than walking into the unit, and seeing a nurse lovingly nuzzle and hold my baby. It made me feel so much better knowing that while I COULDN'T be there 24/7, I didn't NEED to be. Thank you Utah Valley.