My wife and I had an appointment with her OB. Just a normal 4d ultrasound appointment. It was supposed to be a fun day but it turned into a bad day. We showed up to our appointment and we were told after her blood pressure was checked that she might have preeclampsia and we were told to go to the hospital and check into the OB immediately just to be monitored overnight and would possibly be discharged the next day. We thought nothing of it and went to the hospital. They ran more tests during the night and the next day she was feeling good but, then the doctor came in the next morning and said that her blood pressure was not coming down and she might have to stay another night. We weren't happy but we were staying positive. About an hour later the doctor came back in the room and said that she needs to go to a High-Risk OB Department just in case of having to deliver early because of the preeclampsia and my wife having possibly kidney damage. We instantly were worried and they had us on our way to Barnes Jewish Hospital in a matter of minutes. Once we arrived at Barnes Jewish High-Risk OB Department we were pleased with all the care that we received. The team of doctors and nurses were exceptional. Any minute that she needed something or had a question they were there instantly. If I could recommend the whole department there I would. But, It wasn't always good news when we were at Barnes. At first, they told us that she would have to stay at Barnes Jewish Hospital till she was 34 weeks and then she would have to deliver early and she was only at 29 weeks so you could see how frustrated and scared we were. It seemed like during that day and night my wife started feeling sicker. The next day which was Sunday and the nurse said that some of her tests did not come back good and then after that, it seemed like every time her door kept opening to her room someone had bad news. Then the worst news came that evening, they said she had to deliver tonight because of kidney damage and other problems that could happen. Just 3 days after our doctor's appointment, my daughter was born.
After my daughter was born, I was scared about my daughter and my wife. I never knew what to expect when dealing with a premature baby. That day she was born, I waited to go over to see her until my wife was stable and that is hard to deal with because you can't watch the baby and also watch your wife at the same time. I had to trust that the NICU department knew what they were doing. Once my wife was stable, I was able to see my daughter. I will always remember the first day that I came to the NICU. I was scared and nervous at the same time. I entered the NICU and instantly hear monitors and beeping going on all over the place and then I see small babies everywhere and then I turned the corner and there was Abby standing right next to the isolette that my daughter was in. She greeted me, and before we even started she asked me how I was doing. Which made me feel like she cared immediately.
After that, she talked to me about my daughter with ease and said how she was doing. After that, she asked if I wanted to hold her. With her being 3 pounds I was scared. She told me, " just sit in the chair and I will help you, everything is fine and you won't hurt her". She stayed right next to me the whole time. For my first visit, she put everything at ease and made me feel comfortable. I know she didn't have to, but she did and I can't explain in words how she made me feel after how the last couple of weeks were. I felt like everything was going to be ok. She is a true DAISY Nurse. Every time, she sees us even if she is not our nurse for the day, she still comes and talks to me and my wife and asks us how it is going. She stands for all the values of nursing is about. No matter how bad it might have been during those days, she really brightened my day and I am forever grateful.