Colorado Fetal Care Center 2017 Overview and Outcomes CIMFH_160133591_2017-07_CFCC 2017 Overview and Out | Page 16

continued from previous page slide up and down. It was a positive prognosis, as the physicians felt confident they could repair the problem. I can say we did leave feeling better: I didn’t feel like I would be just another patient; they truly cared about the outcome for Jack. As my pregnancy progressed, I continued with weekly ultrasounds, non-stress tests (NSTs) and biophysical profiles. Some weeks passed with no news. Other weeks we wouldn’t pass our NST, or I had high blood pressure. I became anxious every Monday night, knowing that each Tuesday was another appointment. I would pray that they would be wrong about everything. When the time came, we toured the Children’s Colorado Maternal Fetal Care Unit “As a nurse, I recognized good care.” and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The moment we checked in for my induction, we were treated with phenomenal care. All the nurses were respectful and knowledgeable. I remember pushing while a team of 15 to 20 people waited in the hallway to care for my child as soon as he was delivered. Afterward, my sister asked if that was a lot of pressure knowing that so many people were waiting for me to have my baby so they could get to work. It was reassuring knowing that so many trained professionals were there for our child. As a nurse, I recognized good care. I also noticed how much respect the team had 16 for each other. I wish I hadn’t understood so much of the medical side because it hit too close to home. But once I returned to work, I discovered that this journey made me a better nurse — I was and continue to be more compassionate with my patients because I can relate more closely with each of their experiences. Once our son was stabilized, I could see him before he was taken to the NICU. My husband followed him to the NICU and stayed with him through the night. Our nurse that first night, Julie, untangled all his IV lines and helped my husband make sense of the 17 or so pumps. On the fourth day of Jack’s life, pediatric surgeon Ken Liechty, MD, and neonatologist John Kinsella, MD, completed his repair. We were told to expect a one-step-forward, two- steps-back type of recovery. But each day he got stronger, and more pumps disappeared from his bedside. The entire time we felt that we were not another case, but that they cared for us as a family. One of our nurses even came to our home after we were discharged to babysit, so we could go out to dinner for my husband’s birthday. She knew we wouldn’t have gone unless we had an experienced caregiver there. You don’t find care like that at every facility. The interdisciplinary committee of surgeons, nurse practitioners, nurses and cardiology was so solid and reassuring. In total, we were in the hospital for 28 days. The team became a sort of second family. “ The entire time we felt that we were not just another case, but that they cared for us as a family.” L I N D S AY, JA C K’ S M O M Jack is perfect, healthy and truly the best thing we have ever done. We are one of the lucky ones. Our story has a happy ending, thanks to the team at Children’s Colorado. Colorado Fetal Care Center 2017 17