I left work and headed to my OB for back pain. I was early in my third trimester and the pain was becoming more frequent by the hour. I honestly thought my doctor was going to tell me I was having Braxton Hicks contractions and to drink more water. Instead, I was informed that I was in early labor and almost fully dilated. I was rushed to the hospital and into an emergency C-section. At only 33 weeks and four days, I met my son and was immediately thrown into the NICU world. It was there I met nurse Chrisi, one of the nurses on my son's care team.
Chrisi greeted me with kindness and compassion from the moment I walked through those NICU doors. She made me feel at ease during the most stressful time of my entire life. Nurse Chrisi helped me understand my son's condition and his treatment plan. She would also take the time to answer the countless questions I had. Most importantly, Chrisi went above and beyond the duty of a nurse for my son and me. She helped me be a mom to my fragile little man. Time and time again, she helped me navigate the numerous tubes and wires just so I could hold him, feed him, change him, and bathe him. Little things that I will never take for granted ever again. She celebrated his successes and milestones with me and comforted me during the setbacks. The hardest part of the whole journey was at the end of the day when I had to put my little son back down in his bed and walk out of those hospital doors without my baby. Every day for 49 days, I left a piece of my heart there in the NICU.
I remember feeling so jealous of seeing other happy couples leaving the hospital with their bags and baby carrier in hand, thinking one day that will be me. He was there long enough that we saw the whole room turn over more than once, babies coming and going. Chrisi helped me to not compare my baby to others and to not hang on to the setbacks, but instead focus on his individual progress and accomplishments. She was more than a nurse to us - Chrisi became a friend. And even more than that, Chrisi helped me advocate for my son's care when I had concerns.
Words cannot begin to express my gratitude to Nurse Chrisi for everything she did for my son and my family. She went above and beyond the duties of a nurse for us and will forever be a part of our life and my son's story.