by Hand to Hold Staff | Feb 8, 2016 | Life after the NICU, Mental Health
The day after my son William died, my husband and I went to the hospital to see his twin Elliott in the NICU. We had agreed that being near Elliott would be the only thing that would feel ok that day. We were both mostly silent. I remember feeling very otherworldly,...
by Hand to Hold Staff | Feb 3, 2016 | Life after the NICU, Mental Health, NICU Life
One of the best things that happened to me while my girls were in the NICU was meeting another NICU mom. It’s hard to believe anything good can come from the NICU, but it is true. I saw her several times around the NICU and one day my mother happened to start up...
by Hand to Hold Staff | Jan 20, 2016 | Life after the NICU, Medical Info & Resources, Professional Insight
A prescription for physical, occupational, or speech therapy is like a prescription for antibiotics—you can have it filled wherever you choose. Unlike a medication, however, the therapist you choose will have an ongoing relationship with you and your child that your...
by Hand to Hold Staff | Jan 15, 2016 | Life after the NICU
I’m a saver! I love to hang on to mementos. I love tangible things that bring back vivid memories. I have the most mementos from our preemie Haley’s NICU stay. Every year around her birthday and homecoming day I pull out the box and remember. I remember how tiny she...
by Hand to Hold Staff | Jan 13, 2016 | Life after the NICU, Mental Health, NICU Life
Within a 6-week span, we bought our first house, moved 400 miles to a new city, and became parents, 14 weeks early. We had no local support network. No church. No friends from work. No people to call in a pinch. No one to bake us casseroles or tie balloons on our...
by Hand to Hold Staff | Jan 11, 2016 | Life after the NICU
“Wait!” and then, “no, this way!” is all I seem to be yelling now once my son and I are out the door in the morning. I am trying to rush him to the car, but, as is the case with most toddlers, he has a mind of his own. He almost always heads for the yard instead of...
