Our story began on March 15, 2007, just 24 weeks into my pregnancy. I was rushed to TriHealth’s Good Samaritan Hospital for multiple health concerns including pre-term labor. The Special Care OB Unit became my home for the next four weeks. It was one of the most terrifying experiences I have had, but in the end I couldn’t have asked to be in a better place. The care and compassion I received from nurses, doctors and staff more than exceeded my expectations.
Our son Logan was born twelve weeks early on April 10, 2007. I did not see him long before he was whisked away in an incubator to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). He weighed two pounds and five ounces, fit in the palm of our hand when curled up and was not even the length of a standard ruler. Nothing could prepare us for the numerous health issues we would witness Logan face, fight and eventually overcome.
The first few weeks in the NICU Logan encountered different health concerns. He was born with a very large Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) and nine small holes in his heart. (A PDA is a blood vessel that keeps the blood away from the lungs before the infant is born.) Along with the heart issues, Logan fought infections, respiratory distress syndrome, jaundice and other health issues. It was almost paralyzing to sit back and watch our baby struggle with tubes coming out of everywhere possible while hooked to monitors and machines. Every time it seemed as if Logan was making progress and gaining strength, we would see him suffer a setback that would dampen our spirits. The nurses and staff were always there to help inform us, comfort us and even celebrate with us no matter the situation.
After two months, Logan graduated from the Good Samaritan NICU, was released to specialists for treatment and came home with mom and dad. Finally, during his four year checkup with the cardiologist, all heart conditions had corrected themselves requiring no surgery and Logan was released with a clean bill of health. Today Logan is a very active and healthy outgoing seven year-old who enjoys baseball, swimming, soccer and playing with friends. We call him our dare devil not only because of the start he had, but because we often find him climbing places he shouldn’t, hanging upside down on monkey bars with no one near, water skiing one handed or doing other things many kids wouldn’t dare try.
On April 18, 2009, we found ourselves in a similar situation. Although I had been receiving exceptional care from my doctors, including weekly ultrasounds and progesterone injections to help prevent preterm labor, our second child Lizzie was born seven weeks early weighing just less than five pounds. Fortunately Lizzie came home after only 11 days in the NICU. She is a normal five year old girl who enjoys dance, gymnastics and singing her favorite Disney movie Frozen songs.
Thanks to the treatment and careful monitoring by my Tri-State Maternal Fetal Medicine doctors, in October 2011 and again in November 2013, our third and fourth children, Lexi and Lucas, were born only five weeks early and required no stay in the NICU.
All four of our children are active and healthy today thanks to the wonderful nurses, doctors and staff at Good Samaritan Hospital. My kids are true testaments to what the March of Dimes can do. Our NICU story has a happy ending but many others are not so fortunate. We continue to fundraise, walk in March for Babies and support The March of Dimes to help educate families about healthy pregnancies, the research and treatment of all birth defects, and to help every baby have a healthy start.
Save The Dates!
March for Babies Cincinnati/N. Kentucky
Sunday, April 26 at 9:00 am
Paul Brown Stadium
1 Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Community Donation Day & Expo
Thursday, April 23 from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Courtyard Marriott Rookwood/Midtown
3813 Edwards Rd., Cincinnati, Ohio 45209
New This Year!
Stop by the all NEW Baby & Beauty Depot and Ambassador Showcase at Sawyer Point after the walk. From pampering to poignant, these new features are a must see for everyone.
Visit www.marchforbabies.org to start your team and begin fundraising TODAY!
