Wednesday, April 8, 2009

The A + Team

It has been a few days since Loki and I went on a walk and ran into to Anne, one of the discharge nurses at Alta Bates. She encouraged us to say "Hi" at the NICU. This is common practice for NICU graduates. However, due to cold and flu season, we have not felt comfortable doing this yet. Thus far, I frequently walk by the NICU, pointing at the 4th floor window of Loki's first abode. I tell him, "this is where you used to live, when you were very, very small. There are lots of friends there who took wonderful care of you." Usually Loki continues to do what he is doing, which is sleeping in the carrier, snoring, having one eye open. He may give a groan here or there when I disturb his peace, but he seems unimpressed about my excitement to show him the window of his NICU room. What is kind of bizarre to me, is the use of "NICU" and "excitement" in the same sentence.

Being in the hospital for four months was extremely challenging. I dare say the whole ordeal has been pretty traumatic. However, when I walk by the Alta Bates NICU, I do not feel anxiety; I do not feel sad; I do not feel overwhelming negative feelings. I have asked myself many times why this is. The best explanation? Alta Bates has an amazing team of doctors and nurses who have truly been able to help carry the weight of fear and insecurities resting on our shoulders. The staff is trained in compassionate beginnings. In short, this means approaching the babies from a humane and compassionate perspective. Providing containment for babies' pains and fears beyond the traditional medical approach and supporting babies in their strengths as well as their needs. I believe that many of the staff we worked with extended this approach to us.

Perhaps this approach is why I have positive feelings when thinking about the Alta Bates NICU. And that is why I was excited when Anne told me it was okay for us to go visit. Loki and I went up and were able to see Amber, Margaret, Annette, Rhea, Dr. Sandu and Halkias and many, many others. Standing there at the reception showing off our handsome little guy made me proud beyond words. Loki was looking around with his big blue eyes, as if he had never seen the place before. He was completely unaware of why people were so interested in him. He has come such a long, long way.

Alta Bates NICU staff, you truly are The A + team!

7 comments:

Pia said...

Although our time in the NICU at Alta Bates was waaaay shorter than your stay, we too left with similar feelings. I think that they have a remarkable team of providers who guide so many families through such trying times. Angels they are.

berkeleygal77 said...

I'm glad you guys got to visit and see your old friends. He and you have come so far since then!

marieke said...

The staff must be so impressed by seeing Loki! He is big and so handsome. I'm glad you can share your postive feelings about the NICU with Loki. It must give him a less stressfull reminder of his first months.

Dikke kus

Kyra said...

O! Geweldig. De kinderen vragen zich vast weer af waarom mama staat te huilen bij de computer... xx kyra

Greet said...

Prachtig, samen in het ziekenhuis, wat zal de verpleging ook trots zijn om deze grote sterke Loki te zien, goed dat jullie er waren mooi.
lieve groet Greet

Richard en Maaike said...

Wat fijn dat je zo kan terugkijken op die periode. En wat zal je supertrots zijn geweest toen je hem zo kon showen. Ik kan je hier voelen glimmen!
Veel liefs, Maaike

fransje melief said...

Kan me zo goed voorstellen dat je dan zo trots en blij bent! Ik voel het hier...Samen met jouw toewijding (en die van Jesse natuurlijk), heeft Loki echt het beste gehad dat hij had kunnen krijgen in zijn eerste maanden. Heel fijn!

About Loki Sky

Loki Sky is a special little man. He was a very early micropreemie, weighing only 610 grams (1 lb, 5 oz) after 24 weeks, 3 days gestation, born to an American Father and a Dutch Mother in Berkeley, California on October 18, 2008.

On January 11, 2009, while still in the hospital NICU, his one kidney stopped working. It was repaired after three surgeries. After spending time in three hospitals in three cities, Loki came home on February 17. He struggled with eating, and then stopped in July, leading to 8 days in the hospital, a failure-to-thrive diagnosis, and a NG feeding tube. On October 10, a minor surgery installed a G feeding tube. Another procedure replaced it with a new one, and then again with a Mic-Key button in Jan. 2010.

In August 2010, he and his parents moved to the Netherlands.

Read about his first name.
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