Miles and Cole Ross
On October 10, 2022, at 29 weeks pregnant with twin boys, I knew something was wrong. Little did I know, the next day I would be taken via ambulance after a placental abruption at home in front of my 2 year old daughter. The next few days leading up to delivery were a complete blur.
While on complete bed rest in the hospital, my husband and I were prepped by NICU Doctors and Nurses with what is to come, the risks, the complications, and what to expect during delivery.
Our twin boys, Miles Henry Ross and Cole Francis Ross were born on 10-14-22 at 29 weeks gestation weighing 2 lbs 15 ounces and 4 lbs 3 ounces. They were so tiny and so frail. They were in incubators on CPAP, central lines, phototherapy. I held Miles for the first time a week after giving birth, and Cole a few days later.
During the first few weeks after their birth, I hit the lowest I have ever felt in my entire life. I did not want to leave my bed. I cried when no one was looking. Everyone kept telling me how strong I was but inside I was dying. I was so afraid of the unknowns. Our boys went through it all; Miles was septic at one point and needed a spinal tap to rule out meningitis. If you are a NICU parent, you know just how traumatizing it is to hold your child while they are continuously having “events” with their oxygen and heart rates drastically dropping. I would leave the hospital sobbing until I had to wipe my tears in the car, and tend to my toddler at home.
The NICU Nurses and staff at Holy Redeemer Hospital are 1 in a million. They hugged me when they saw me. They made me feel comforted, welcome, and secure leaving my children behind. They were so supportive, and so reassuring. They provided resources and offered guidance when I felt completely helpless.
The Superhero Project provided us with pajamas, a Thanksgiving Meal, binky’s, books, swaddles, etc. Most importantly, they provided us with the ability to share our boys with our family. Having the ability to “check in” and watch them, and show them off to their Big Sister saved my life.
After a 54-day stay, our boys finally graduated and came home. They are our real life superheroes, and we are forever grateful for the Superhero Project and the NICU Team at Holy Redeemer Hospital for the support and care they provided our family during this time.
