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This episode is the most special one to me. And I'm happy to be back!!

You’ve heard pieces of our story throughout the last 21 episodes, but for the first time, I’m not helping someone else tell theirs..we’re telling ours. And for the first time, I’m bringing on our first dad: my husband, David! 

Our son was born at 28 weeks due to complications from IUGR and was later diagnosed with very severe lung disease (BPD). He spent close to the first 2 years of his life in three different hospitals receiving lifesaving care. There were many moments we didn’t know how we would make it through as a family. Living in the hospital and the constant uncertainty felt endless…but we did it, one hard day at a time, and I’m really proud of us.

Today, Donny is 3 years old. He’s off his vent during all waking hours, and as of recording this episode, he’s starting to walk! Saying we’re grateful for where he is today is an understatement. 

In this episode, David and I talk about IUGR, having a micropreemie, transferring hospitals, and explain why our son eventually needed a trach. We shared our earliest experiences stepping into this very unique type of parenthood together. The emotions we felt, the impossible decisions we made and what it was like living in constant uncertainty.

David is the best dad. He has always been loving, helpful, and very technical. He learned everything he could about our son’s diagnosis, asked the best questions, and always advocated. He understood when I was too emotionally exhausted to be at the hospital. I truly could not have gotten through this without him and he feels the same about me. We make a good team, and I hope parts of this episode help other families going through something similar.

We also share what we wish we had known then, what we would have done differently, and the frustrations we’ve faced within hospital systems. 
People often tell us, “I don’t know how you got through that,” and we always say, “You just do what you have to do.” In this episode, we talk honestly about that and we also share some of the practical things we actually did to cope with the heavy days and impossible decisions.

I started The Trauma Mamas Podcast last year after having Donny home for a couple of months. During our hardest days, I desperately needed to hear from other parents who had lived through it and not necessarily perfect outcomes, but honest stories. I’m honored to now to be another voice for NICU families and parents raising medically complex children.

🎧 This episode is now available on all platforms.
Here’s to a new season!

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