Giving Hope

About 7 years ago, I had a call from a mother whose son was admitted at the University of Virginia Medical Center NICU. She was of course scared and had never heard of congenital diaphragmatic hernia before. I was still "in grief" but happy to try and help this mom. She had been told of ECMO and that does scare parents, it is after all the last resort. I spoke to her and then I visited.

It sometimes is hard for me to enter UVA. I am fine if I don't smell antiseptic I am fine. I think one visit with this mom I had to go into the Chapel for a moment to keep from hyperventilating. I did go visit that day but I realized how much something little could just upset me. Her baby boy is fine and thriving today and she has gone to school and has become a Physical Therapist.

One thing about the visits I recall so vividly. I was waiting in their waiting room on the 7th floor, that really needed to be updated and has now. A young man came off the elevators and I believe his mother was with him. She went to go find some one to give them some update. It was obvious they just traveled from somewhere to be with his newborn. I could see the tension in his shoulders and in his body language. He was vividly upset and worried. I started to ask him just simple questions.

"Is your baby here?" I asked.
"Yes, they just transported him here." he answered.
"Where are you from?" I asked.
"Harrisonburg. His mom is still in the hospital there." he answered.
"You know your son is in one of the best hospitals in the world here. The staff and doctors here will do everything in their power to help your son. They can also take a picture for his mom, just ask them." I told him.

I could see his shoulders lower and his body relax as I also told him that there are doctors there that are part of cutting edge medicine that saves lives and also gives quality to lives that they save. I told him I was there visiting a mom whose baby was also there but my own daughter was there and I knew they did everything they could for her. I told him she didn't survive but there are more there that do survive and that her condition was server.

I was at the time - trying to comfort a parent who was obviously scared, worried and overwhelmed. They called him to come back to the NICU and I told him - no question he asked was dumb and to be with his son because they know their parents and know people would be thinking and praying for them. I never got his name. He never got mine. I just hope that that made the difference to give him hope.