Frequently Asked Questions

What are Emma’s current stats?

I added a section at the bottom of the homepage that I’ll update.

Where are you living? Where are Joe and Zion living?

I’m blessed to be able to have one of 10 rooms reserved for NICU parents at the Renucci House. There are over 100 beds in the NICU so I didn’t think I had a chance at one of the rooms. It’s very hard to get into. The Renucci House is run on donations which means it’s free for me to stay at. (What a blessing to not have a big housing bill!) It’s connected to the hospital by an inconsipious door so I don’t need to go outside and can see Emma at all hours. It’s exactly like a hotel except that I’m here long term. Right now the hospital is home. I stay here full time and Joe and I see each other on the weekends.

Joe and Zion (our 4 year old) moved into his parent’s house. We’re very grateful grandma Joanna is able to watch Zion while Joe is at work and my husband doesn’t have to stress about dinner, maintaining a house, etc. He does have an added stress of needing to check in on our house and our cat, Elvis. Elvis used to be an indoor/outdoor cat but sadly has had to stay inside full time as there’s no one to let him in at night. Coyotes lives less than a mile away. If anyone would like to foster him, let me know. Its hard to see the impact this situation has had on him. He spends 95% of his time alone in a house with no owners around. We’re eager to be back together as a family, living in our home again.

Can I visit you and Emma?

Yes! I love having visitors. Please reach out to me to discuss when you’d like to visit.

Is Emma breastfeeding?

She currently is not able to breastfeed while on oxygen support. Emma has an oxygen cord down her throat so its just not possible. She also has been off of my milk since early October due to a partial blockage in her colon. She receives feedings through a central line iv that goes directly into her veins to bypass her colon.

How often do you have to pump and where do you store the milk?

I pump every three to four hours and have an over supply. I’m able to get away with sleeping through the night. The hospital has been so supportive of pumping moms. There’s a devoted lactation team that checks in on me and is available any time I have questions. I’m able to turn my milk in for deep freeze storage. In fact, my space at the hospital is maxed out! There’s also reserved, locked, freezer space for me at the Renucci House. We’re currently clearing out our deep freezer at home to bring my milk home and I’m giving some away to moms in need. It’s adding up while I wait for Emma to be able to resume milk feedings. Pumping takes up a lot of my time day to day. I calculated it to be more than 20 hours a week - like any newborn baby.

When can you and Emma go home?

My favorite doctor of Emma’s said he'd be surprised if Emma was still in the NICU in 6 months (May!). Anything could happen between now and then but its so helpful having an estimate. When Em hits her due date, they’ll start the conversation about what level of oxygen support she’ll need at home. I’m not expecting any immediate decisions as she’ll need some time to recover from colon surgery and slowly adjust digestively to the re-introduction of breast milk.

Did you have a c-section?

No, Miss Emma decided she was coming naturally. It’s actually a God story as I felt zero pain! It’s a miracle Emma is alive and we were at Helen DeVos for her birth. There’s a lot more to the story.

What lead to Emma being born so early?

I had unexplained bleeding for a month and a half which lead to my water breaking at 22 weeks. Eight days later Emma was born. I found out later that I had two sub subchorionic hematomas. They usually dissolve on there own but mine stuck around and one of them was on the edge of my placenta which caused irritation and bleeding.

Does age have anything to do with your pregnancy complications?

No, I’m told age is unrelated to subchorionic hematomas. It’s unknown why women get them and they usually don’t cause problems. I’m reassured it’s highly unlikely I’d go through the same complications if I were to get pregnant again.