A couple of weeks ago we attended a NICU graduates reunion at a local park. There were over 500 other families there along with the doctors, nurses, and hospital staff. We were able to see some of our favorite doctors and nurses from the NICU that we hadn't seen in a long time (Scott even flew in from Indiana for the big event). We even saw Hilda, the wonderful chaplain, and our great friend Debi from the Children's Miracle Network. The girls loved it!! They got their faces painted (C had a pretty butterfly and flowers, K had Ariel from the "Little Mermaid"), temporary tattoos, bounced in the bounce house, played on the playground and came home with lots of "prizes!" We spent time with the Ruth and Dukes families too! What wonderful friends we have made (maintained) through our NICU experience! Here are a couple of links from a news article about the reunion:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/may/15/former-st-rose-neonatal-patients/
Here's a picture of Colbie and Kenna playing in the sandbox:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/photos/galleries/2011/may/15/0515strosenicu/93323/
Friday, May 27, 2011
Walmart Miracle Launch May 13, 11
A couple of weeks ago we were invited to a local Walmart to help launch the donation drive for Children's Miracle Network. The people were so kind and so excited to see our girls in person and hear our story. The cashiers said that 4 out of 10 people asked will donate! Thank you for donating! And thank you casheirs for asking! The girls LOVED the cake they made for the event! Ah to be three again! ;-)
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Champions
Champions is a Children's Miracle Network Hospitals program that brings attention to the important work being done at its 170 children’s hospitals. It does this by honoring 51 remarkable kids who have faced severe medical challenges, and helping them tell their stories.
The Champions program designates a child in every state who has bravely battled a serious injury or illness. The Champions represent the nearly 17 million children treated at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals every year. The 2011 Champions have dealt with a wide variety of injuries and illnesses including genetic diseases, organ transplants and traumas, as well as various types of cancer.
The Champions travel for a week in October, first to Washington, D.C., where they traditionally meet with their state senators on Capitol Hill, and the President of the United States during a visit to the White House. They then take a private chartered flight, provided by Delta Air Lines, to Orlando, Fla. There, champions meet Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals sponsors, hospital representatives and media partners who all convene to celebrate a year of medical miracles during the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Celebration event at Walt Disney World Resort.
The Champions program designates a child in every state who has bravely battled a serious injury or illness. The Champions represent the nearly 17 million children treated at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals every year. The 2011 Champions have dealt with a wide variety of injuries and illnesses including genetic diseases, organ transplants and traumas, as well as various types of cancer.
The Champions travel for a week in October, first to Washington, D.C., where they traditionally meet with their state senators on Capitol Hill, and the President of the United States during a visit to the White House. They then take a private chartered flight, provided by Delta Air Lines, to Orlando, Fla. There, champions meet Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals sponsors, hospital representatives and media partners who all convene to celebrate a year of medical miracles during the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Celebration event at Walt Disney World Resort.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Colbie and Kenna's Story
Colbie and Kenna
Age 3
Nevada
St. Rose-Siena Hospital
Premature Birth
Colbie and Kenna became fighters the day their mom’s water broke at 23 weeks gestation. Doctors were able to delay their birth for 12 more days—which allowed their organs to further develop—before they made their entrance into the world as micro preemies. These twin sisters were born four months early, each weighing no more than one pound six ounces.
They spent almost four months in the NICU at St. Rose-Siena Hospital and received blood transfusions, fought off infections and struggled to gain weight. Kenna’s biggest obstacle was her weak lungs; it could take weeks to fight off an infection. Colbie, on the other hand, could breathe fairly well but her digestive system caused her all kinds of trouble and she struggled to gain weight.
“As a father, it is comforting to know that if my girls are tough enough to do what they’ve done, they’re tough enough to get through anything,” Geoff, Colbie and Kenna’s dad.
Although Colbie still struggles to gain weight and Kenna’s lungs still have trouble fighting off infections, these twin sisters live life like normal 3-year-olds. Colbie loves everybody and tells jokes to make people laugh. She is nicknamed “The Professor” because of her extensive vocabulary. Kenna is a tiny tornado who can’t stop moving. She is a natural athlete and loves to run, climb, throw and wrestle whenever possible.
Age 3
Nevada
St. Rose-Siena Hospital
Premature Birth
Colbie and Kenna became fighters the day their mom’s water broke at 23 weeks gestation. Doctors were able to delay their birth for 12 more days—which allowed their organs to further develop—before they made their entrance into the world as micro preemies. These twin sisters were born four months early, each weighing no more than one pound six ounces.
They spent almost four months in the NICU at St. Rose-Siena Hospital and received blood transfusions, fought off infections and struggled to gain weight. Kenna’s biggest obstacle was her weak lungs; it could take weeks to fight off an infection. Colbie, on the other hand, could breathe fairly well but her digestive system caused her all kinds of trouble and she struggled to gain weight.
“As a father, it is comforting to know that if my girls are tough enough to do what they’ve done, they’re tough enough to get through anything,” Geoff, Colbie and Kenna’s dad.
Although Colbie still struggles to gain weight and Kenna’s lungs still have trouble fighting off infections, these twin sisters live life like normal 3-year-olds. Colbie loves everybody and tells jokes to make people laugh. She is nicknamed “The Professor” because of her extensive vocabulary. Kenna is a tiny tornado who can’t stop moving. She is a natural athlete and loves to run, climb, throw and wrestle whenever possible.
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