Child's Birth Year
1997

State/Province/Territory
Utah

NICU Hospital for my journey
Davis Hospital and Medical Center

My NICU Graduate's Journey
Well he just couldn’t wait to come. I was at work and delivered before my shift ended, which was Easter. Lane was 31 weeks, going through the NICU experience is something you can’t explain. Your emotions are always high you have your good days and your bad days all while trying to learn how to take care of your tiny baby. The progress with being on the vent, to nasal cannula and then room air. Then feedings; to see if he tolerated the formula through the NG tube, then learning to eat, suck, swallow and breathe. The emotions you have are all over - happy, sad, worried, happy, tired, exhausted and excited. There was a little girl that was born 3 weeks earlier. We would see them at the store and then they went to school together and have kept in touch through the years. Lane was born on Easter, came home on Mother’s Day and got married the day before his dad’s birthday. I have since became a NICU RN. I still tear up when we have a baby going home it seems like yesterday when he came home. I cry with a mom when she needs a shoulder to cry on or a simple hug when she “has her bad day”.

What makes you proud of you NICU graduate?
I am so proud of the young man he has become. Watching him grow and being a little behind in meeting his milestones. Growing up he played baseball, basketball and lettered in cross country and track. He played the violin starting in 6th grade all the way through to graduation. He is a lead at his work. He is a volunteer fireman, and working towards his EMT. He just got married to his best friend.

Weight at Birth (lbs. or Grams)
3 lbs 9 oz

Weeks Gestation
31 Weeks

Time spent in the NICU (Specify Day, Month, or Year)
6-weeks