김하순 23주 초미숙아 | 이른둥이 성장일기 |NICU Journey - 23 Weeks Micro Preemie Baby | @Kaiser Permanente Thrive |

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We put this video together to celebrate Elise’s first birthday! My Miracle Baby was born at 23 weeks and 6 days gestation and spent 118 days at the Kaiser Permanente Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Downey, CA. During the first 7 days, we experienced a “honeymoon period” where things went fairly smoothly before the rollercoaster ride began. She had a Grade 1 Brain Bleed (Intraventricular Hemorrhage) that was later diagnosed as false positive after 9 head ultrasounds and Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) that eventually required PDA Ligation Surgery. Surgery was a success, but it affected her vocal cords that led to Vocal Cord Paralysis which required G-Tube placement for feeding around 37 weeks. She had multiple breathing setbacks and respiratory complications that required high frequency oscillator, but transitioned slowly to a less and less invasive breathing equipments such as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), High Flow, and Nasal Cannula. I can’t count how many apneas and bradycardia she had; but we still vividly remember when the Respiratory Therapist (RT) came in to “bag” her when Elise forgot to breathe (Thanks RT, Genevieve!) Right around at 30 weeks gestation, she began having weekly eye exams to check for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). She was diagnosed with Stage I and II, but eventually improved on its own.

Despite the odds of surviving, nurses and doctors worked tirelessly to keep babies alive. Not many people recognize the impact that NICU nurses, doctors, and the whole staff can have on a family - a family like ours where Elise was in critical condition needing 24/7 intensive care.

One of the hardest part as a parent was to leave my baby in the hands of a stranger. But I am thankful even to this date that Elise’s Primary Nurses / Doctors were that stranger. No matter how hard I try, there are no words to express how much I truly appreciate you.

Thank you for quietly closing the curtains when we had tears in our eyes.

Thank you for silently standing next to us when we were sad and hopeless, and also throwing mini-parties with all the milestone achievements!

Thank you for making me feel that my baby was someone special to you.

Thank you for helping us go through the toughest experience in our lives.

To current and future NICU parents!

Ask, Ask, and Ask questions to Doctors and Nurses. You are your baby’s advocate. It’s not going to be easy, but be as active as you can. Follow your instinct - ask, ask, and ask! Don’t be shy. Also, try keeping a daily diary and journal. We had a daily Instagram posts of her progress and shared with our extended family. You may experience postpartum depression and/or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If you believe that you are suffering, please talk with your healthcare practitioner.  

If you need prayer, support, or have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment or email us at TheSoonFamily@outlook.com

Видео 김하순 23주 초미숙아 | 이른둥이 성장일기 |NICU Journey - 23 Weeks Micro Preemie Baby | @Kaiser Permanente Thrive | канала The Soon Family [삼순가족]