When Alyssa and her husband found themselves back in the NICU with their daughter Lucy just a year after losing their son Jack, their emotions were heavy and difficult to navigate. Hope lay within grief and love within fear. The Riverside Ronald McDonald Family Room helped them get through by providing the comfort of home right next to their baby.
The room became more than just a place for a break; it was a lifeline of support during one of the hardest times of their lives.
Lucy’s Story
Lucy spent 62 days in the NICU after she arrived at just 31 weeks. Fortunately, Alyssa had already known that this would likely be the outcome of her pregnancy with Lucy. A year prior, she had been diagnosed with an incompetent cervix following the loss of her son Jack.
Equipped with her new knowledge, Alyssa took no chances early on, going to the hospital as early as she felt symptoms that she had previously ignored with Jack. At the hospital, they told her she was having contractions, but, after a week, they sent her home. The next day, Alyssa went into preterm labor and gave birth to Lucy.
For the next two months, Lucy was at Riverside Methodist Hospital’s NICU. She was born at only two pounds and 14 ounces with struggling lungs, so she needed a breathing and feeding tube. But day by day, milestone by milestone, Lucy grew stronger – three pounds, then four, then five – until she was finally able to breathe and eat on her own. Shortly after, she was released from the hospital and the family found a new normal back at home.
Finding Home at the Hospital
As Alyssa and her husband were facing the trials and tribulations of Lucy being in the NICU, the two found comfort in the community and care that the Riverside Ronald McDonald Family Room provided.
Not only was it a place to relax and grab a quick snack or coffee, but to Alyssa, it was also “nice to have other families there that kind of knew what you’re going through.”
Alyssa typically visited Lucy at the NICU at least twice a day – once in the morning and once at night – so it was sometimes hard to balance her life with the importance of caring for her family. Luckily, the Ronald McDonald Family Room was always there for her to feel a little less stressed during this time and to feel a little more at home when at the hospital.
Often, Alyssa and her husband popped into the Family Room when the nurses would take Lucy’s vitals or if the doctors needed space, or just to take a quick breather in the middle of a long day. It gave them a space to live their life without worrying about anything other than the health and wellbeing of Lucy.
“It was just nice to see the support,” said Alyssa about the countless donations of toiletries, rattles or onesies in the Family Room from other parents and volunteers. To her, that sense of community made the difference. The friendly Family Room staff was always there to share a smile, be talkative and warm, or check in on Lucy and her progress.
Living Life After the NICU
Lucy is now nearly two years old and is full of personality. She loves animal sounds and learning, especially new words. She is obsessed with Bluey and her new walker that she got from physical therapy to help get her walking down. Life for Lucy has been nothing short of sweet since her early battle at the NICU.
As for Alyssa and her husband, the two remain deeply grateful for all the support from the nurses and doctors at Riverside Methodist Hospital, as well as all the volunteers and staff at the Ronald McDonald Family Room. Their hearts are full, and so is their future, as they plan to welcome another child into their growing family soon.
In addition, Alyssa and her husband want to give back to the Riverside Ronald McDonald Family Room to families like theirs. For Lucy’s first birthday party, they invited guests to bring preemie baby clothes instead of gifts. They then donated these clothes to the Family Room for any new parents unprepared for a preemie baby.
This family’s story is one of resilience, community and unwavering love that perfectly illustrates the light that support and compassion provide during life’s darkest moments. Thank you, Alyssa, for sharing your story with us.