Fort Worth, Texas,
07
July
2014
|
15:14 PM
America/Chicago

Avery's journey - part 5

A Cook Children’s employee documents her time in the NICU

We have now surpassed our 100th day in the NICU. 100 days. Avery’s due date has come and gone. It feels like it’s time to go home. I’m ready. Shawn’s ready. Avery’s room is ready. But our sweet baby girl is not able to breathe on her own just yet. And so we wait.

Throughout this journey we have been through a lot more critical situations than our current one. We’ve dealt with pneumonia, watched our daughter turn blue from not breathing, discussed heart surgery and taken calls from doctors in the middle of the night. Things with Avery are better now than ever. I get to hold and cuddle her whenever I want. She is very alert and interactive and showing more of her personality every day. So why is this whole situation getting to me now?

Avery’s doctor told me once that our bodies are much better equipped to deal with what he called “critical” stress versus chronic, long-term stress. This is the only explanation I have for feeling the way I do right now. It was the “fight or flight” mentality that kept our adrenaline going and allowed us to deal with the critical intensity of the first few months of Avery’s stay. In those early days, we were just taking it a day at a time while Avery was fighting for her life. Now, Avery is stable and the long-term stress of being in the NICU for so long has set in.

It was around Avery’s due date that I started to feel this way. Up until that point, I felt like we were going on borrowed time, but now she is officially supposed to be here so it’s time to go home. I would trade the stress we’re feeling with the stress of a new parent with a “normal” baby in a heartbeat. I’m not diminishing that stress at all, I know it’s hard but it has to feel differently than the stress of having your baby in the NICU. 

We seem to be stuck in limbo right now and are still waiting to officially start our lives as new parents. While we wait for Avery to get better, life has had to go back to normal but it doesn’t feel normal at all. All of the daily activities like going to work, doing laundry, grocery shopping still have to go on but it doesn’t seem fair.

I have so many different emotions in a given day: anger, frustration, sadness, happiness, the list goes on.

Our nurses have become some of my best friends because they seem to understand our situation the best. They have seen families in the same situation and are able to reassure me that the feelings I have are completely normal. However normal these feelings are, I’m just ready for them to go away. I miss the old Kelly and I’m sure Shawn does too. Glimpses of her pop up unexpectedly and it reassures me that I will get back to my old self eventually.

I’m hesitant to put these feelings down on paper and even more hesitant to share them with the world. My hope is that it might validate the feelings that another parent is feeling or has felt and will help them to feel less alone.

I just wish I could close my eyes and fast forward until the day that we put Avery in her car seat and bring her home.

Until then, we wait…

Comments 1 - 9 (9)
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Kim
23
July
2014
I would love to share feelings with you. My son was at the NICU for 103 days. My husband works there also
Shelley Smith Malone
12
July
2014
Kelly,You are so honest and brave to share your experiences with everyone. Some many people are pulling for you all. Hang in there.
edna vasquez
11
July
2014
Avery is a strong lil angel. . Me and my son anthony just got hm from tha cooks nicu and i understand wat ur feeling... its just a alot of pressure cause these lil babies are now under mommas responsibility and somehow we are scared to fail but dnt worry avery is strong and so are u ... i wish u tha best and everything is gonna be ok... ull see!! God bless
Phylicia
10
July
2014
It won't be long. Keep up the good fight. Be Avery strong.
JT
08
July
2014
You look beautiful in this picture!And Mommy , so do you! Stay strong! You all have come so far from her birth!Forever prayers for all of you!Love. Jt
Sarah Snailum
08
July
2014
Oh Kelly.....reading this just makes my heart ache for you both but at the same time, the strength I "hear" and see in your face is so encouraging. I see the Kelly of old in your beautiful smile so she is there.....she is just kicked into survival mode right now. Avery brings me great perspective in some many areas of my life each time I see a precious picture of her or read one of your blogs. She is speaking and touching so many lives before ever uttering a word. I continue to be blown away by her courage and strength. Love you.....Sarah
Rikki
08
July
2014
You don't know me but I happened upon your blog. I feel for you. I'm one of those people that are in the club with you. My son was born at 25 weeks. It is so hard to live in the NICU. I wish your little girl the best. Things can change so quickly. When we brought our son home one day he was on oxygen the next day he was off and they told us one morning we could take him home. I can relate to you in so many ways. I had the mommy guilt too. We wish you the very best, we will keep your little Avery in our prayers.
jfr
08
July
2014
Kelly-As always, thank you for sharing your journey. Avery is lucky to have such a courageous mom! Your spirit and attitude are admirable and your story is an inspiration. Blessings.
Justin Smith, MD
07
July
2014
Thank you for your transparency. I can assure you I have spoken with many parents who feel the same way that you have. I am glad now to have something to point them towards so that they can see that they aren't the only ones.