Day 86

July 14, 2018

Dear Isabelle,

We’ve played today over and over in our heads for the past three months, and often wondered when this day would finally come. Today the new adventure starts as we take you home for the first time. Eighty Six days in the NICU, from 1lb 15 oz, to the beautiful baby you are today. Those first days seem like a lifetime ago, with plenty of bumps along the way, but your journey changed our lives for the better and we would repeat every day if that is what it took to have you home with us.

Eventually you will grow, and we’ve often talked about what we will tell you about your time in the hospital, and while we hope you are defined by more than your first weeks of life, we know that the lessons we learned these past three months will guide us in your upbringing and set you off on the adventure of life.

We will tell you about all the support we received from friends, family, coworkers and even complete strangers. You brought the best out in people by just coming into this world, your fight was their fight and your success was an achievement for everyone; for those who brought us food, visited you in the hospital and provided a bed for us to stay. Thanks to you, we’ve learned that gestures of compassion and generosity are never too trivial to make a difference and kindness from friends should never be taken for granted. Live your life for yourself, but never forget the friends you make along the way. They will be your greatest asset, in hard times they will be your support and in the good times they will make a mean margarita.

We will tell you about your amazing nursing staff and the countless hours they cared for you. Karen, Kirby, Lilian, Mary Anne, Kara, Kesha, Yelena, Judy, Irena, Joan, and many others dedicated their days to provide the world’s best care to you and your NICU friends. Their support and compassion meant the world to us and the only way we can repay them is to raise you to have the same respect, empathy and compassion for others. It’s okay if you don’t become a nurse, but we hope you grow into a woman who helps others, and demonstrates the same kindness that was extended to us from the entire NICU staff.

We will tell you about the many people we met along the way, who will be new friends for life. Sometimes certain people stick out and support you in your most difficult moments. Dr. Patty, Karen, Jen and Dave, these are unexpected friends found in the most unexpected places, but we are so thankful and fortunate to have them in our lives and they make this experience worth it. We hope you never discount new opportunities, as they might be the most fruitful of all.

We will tell you of all the complications and hard days you had; acute renal failure, a grade two intraventricular hemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity, patent ductus arteriosus, premature anemia, and probably more that slipped my mind. You are a tough little baby, growing tougher by the day. Each year will bring new challenges, with more opportunities to show your strength to the world. Remember that there is nothing you can’t overcome and nothing you can’t achieve if you find that strength and refuse to give up.

While we are on the subject of strength, I will tell you about your Mother. No one is stronger, except maybe you, and she proved it 86 days in a row when she sat in your hospital room and fought with you every step of the way. She loves you more than anyone, anywhere, and you are one lucky baby to have her in your corner. You don’t need to pay her back, but just remember what she did for you when you become a teenager.

We can’t wait to discover what the future holds, and with you we know it will be an exciting and crazy ride. There is a song lyric I always recited during hard days in the hospital, it goes- the only way up is believing in never looking down. Isabelle, never look down, grown strong, and strive to be the best at everything you do. We will help you at every point along the way.

Love,

Mom and Dad.