181 Days, 11 Hours and 57 Minutes.
We all know the number of the days our child spent in the NICU. Why is it so important?
When your child is fighting to live, each day matters.
Each day is a day he is alive. It’s a day closer to leaving.
It’s a day that represents the fight.
It’s another day of hope.
It’s a unit of time that is tangible in a world that is foreign and surreal. When time is moving so slow, it’s the biggest measurement we can grasp.
Each day is a reminder of the fragility of life. A reminder of the miracle of life. A reminder of what can be overcome.
Each day is a blessing and counts for everything.
What’s your number?
69 and 101 for my 28 week twins.
124 days and 15 or so minutes. The number means so much… thank you for so eloquently expressing why.
246 days. I didn’t count the hours or minutes, but I was glad it was less than 250! The bummer was we were back within 5 days. Hugh was then discharged (from PICU) 1 year, 1 week and 1 day after he was born. And even the we were back 9 days later! Some say you never really leave, the gaps just get longer…
I will admit, that the only reason I know the hours and minutes is because it was so close to the time of day that he was born when I looked at the clock pulling out of the parking garage.
For everyone who hasn’t seen my post on Hugh, here’s his amazing journey via video. http://youtu.be/CuBzyP0xwJQ
Wishing you a gap so long that the nurses don’t recognize you!
123 days for my 24 week miracle. And never went back! He’s had 3 surgeries since coming home (2 day and 1 overnight stay). September 14 will be 1 year home!
76 and 73 for Search and Destroy respectively.
112 days
109 days almost to the minute for my 24 PLUS 5 weeker. I can relay all kinds of numbers for my pregnancy too. Every single day counted of that short pregnancy until the very end when it was down to minutes. Will never forget.
105 for B and 153 for A
277 days or worry and heart ache & never been back (except to remove his trach) which was a celebratory hospital stay!
W the rock star. It was so fun seeing him this week.
134 with three re-admits (24 hrs, 48 hrs, and this one’s going to be at least three days).
Two weeks ago she crossed the line where she has spent more nights in her own crib than in the hospital. I’m hoping that’s a milestone we don’t lose during this stay.
I’m so sorry to hear that Baby M is back in the hospital. I know exactly how great it feels to hit that point when she’s home longer than in the hospital. Sending all the best wishes for her to be back home soon! Hugs!
98 for sonoma and 84 for sierra.
and for me, 18… at 18 weeks i can still vividly remember my doc looking at kyle and saying “don’t go far. if the babies are born now, they won’t live’
I don’t know my numbers… it was written on their notes but half way through I decided to stop looking… it didn’t help me counting the days my babies were in neonatal, especially when it wasnt really the case that the longer they were in the nearer they were home.
I was going to count the days just for the purpose of this post but changed my mind.. I obviously know how long they were in there and know it was a long time.. but any time a baby spends in neonatal is too long for their parents so dont like to put a number on it.
I took things day by day.. looking back crippled me looking to far forward was filled with blankness…
Don’t get me wrong I totally understand and respect you all knowing your numbers and love the sentiment and the message.. but just wantes to post a different view from a mum who couldnt count days xxxx
Thank you, Sheri for sharing your perspective on not counting. Everyone copes differently and I hope that others seeing your post who made a similar decision to not count will feel more willing to share their different perspectives too.
TMM
64 days for my twins
241 days and counting. He may not come home until next year because of his chronic lung disease and pulmonary hypertension.
131 days and counting. Hoping for home soon.
Sending you all the best vibes to have your LO home soon, Amanda!
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