It only seemed fitting that, after one year, we share a bit of our reflections on our journey as preemie parents. We'll keep it "brief", since it would be difficult to capture the entirety of our experience here in this virtual space. And we know that most of you are just here for the photos :)
More than one year ago, Tyson made an early entrance into our lives, taking our family on an unexpected journey into the bustling world of an NICU. From the moment we entered the assessment room and received the news of what was to come for baby and mom in the near future, the months that unfolded were not how any typical new parents would have anticipated or imagined. There were tears, anxious prayers, little-to-no sleep, and lots of bewildering information to absorb. There would be an emergency C-section, a tiny baby too small to comprehend, and quiet fears that life that began all too soon would end just the same.
One year ago on July 26th marks the date that Tyson came off life support and graduated to CPAP (although he did have to be reintubated for a brief stint, due to a fear of sepsis; a blood transfusion from daddy sorted him out again). The evening of July 26th also marks the first time mom got to hold her baby, a full month after his birth. There would be small victories, low valleys, and a desire to hold on to the belief that God is good, no matter what the outcome.
Unless you know our story, you wouldn't be any wiser that Tyson was a preemie. Although he's still on the lean and small side of the growth percentiles for his corrected age, he's catching up and has reached all of his developmental milestones so far. His therapists and doctor are happy with his progress, and joke about his already apparent stubborn temperament that probably helped fuel his resiliency and determination to fight for life.
Only we, as his parents, note and treasure the little telltale signs of his early start... like how one nostril is ever so slightly pulled wider, due to the ventilator tubes. Or the small calcified tissue marks on his limbs and torso from the numerous pokes he received for IVs, heel pricks, etc. that his doctor likes to call "NICU souvenirs" and we like to refer to as his "badges of courage". His lopsided head-weight-length growth due to his Asymmetrical IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction) will even out with time. And thankfully his preemie "toaster" head from having to deal with gravity too early and constantly being placed on his side has rounded out nicely.
We are amazed at Tyson's strength and constantly awed by his life. He is our little hero. We are deeply aware of how much we have to be thankful for. In our journey, we have encountered or learned of other families with tales so much more difficult than our own. Babies that, at more than one year of age, still cannot hold their heads up, and probably never will. Babies who, now as toddlers, still cannot breath without a tracheostomy tube. Babies who lost their sight or hearing. Babies that can only gain a measly few pounds per year, due to gastrointestinal problems too numerous to count. There are babies with permanent shunts to drain excess brain fluid. Babies diagnosed with varying degrees of Cerebral Palsy. And babies that exhibit and experience extreme, painful physical symptoms, but still have yet to receive any diagnosis as to why they suffer, other than it being a result of their early birth. The list goes on. Our heart goes out to all fellow preemie parents and especially the parents of special needs children--you are truly brave and exemplify unconditional love.
And then there are the babies who never made it. These carefully treasured stories are not always as readily shared. They fought as well as they could, but sometimes, too soon is just that--too soon. Our hearts go out to these parents as well.
Life as a preemie parent can only be understood by those who experience it. But we are thankful for all those who helped us to shoulder it as well. And despite all that transpired, as previously shared, we truly could not have asked or dreamed of a more wonderful or beautiful baby boy.
God is good.
Not simply because He spared us Tyson.
But simply because He is.
We will never forget:
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