So, this is the first journal I've started. I am a 39 year old stay at home mom - well, I guess not anymore - I'll get to that in a few minutes. I have a 7 year old son and a 20 month old daughter. My son was full term, my daughter - not. She and her twin sister were born at 25 weeks gestation. Kate survived for 102 days. Long story. Emily is home and doing fantastically. We continue to be amazed by her and she is truly a gift from God - our miracle baby.
I was an elementary school teacher for 10 years and then stayed home with my kids. I decided to go back to school to be a nurse when my son was 3. I had finished all my prerequisites and was ready to start nursing school when I became pregnant with the twins. After everything, Emily came home in June of 07'. I wasn't planning on going back to school until February of 08' but a great opportunity presented itself and with my husband's full support and encouragement I went back - night school - in Oct. 08'. Now I am about 10 weeks away from graduation and I just took a job as a nurse extern. The amazing part is where. I am now working at the hospital where my girls were born. I love it. I am very comfortable there and have been welcomed. I feel like I'm in a fairly unique position - I'm certainly not the only NICU nurse to have had a child in the NICU, but I can't think that there are too many of us who have had both extremes of outcomes. I feel that I can offer parents understanding that non NICU parents just can't, it's certainly not that they don't care but, as we all know, nothing compares with having been there. I also feel that I have the opportunity to share with other nurses the parent's view of things.
I guess I decided to start journaling because I like having the input of other Mom's who've been there. I know it's not all going to be easy - the first time I have to take care of twin girls is likely to be difficult for me, but I've never felt better about a career choice, I guess I would say at this point that it is more of a calling. For now, my goal is to make it through the next ten weeks with my sanity more or less intact and for my family to get clean clothes and a home cooked meal at least every now and then. It would be really nice if Emily's favorite word does not become "McDonald's!" I guess we'll see!