After five years of trying, we almost gave up on our dream of becoming parents.
My husband, Todd, and I were physically and emotionally exhausted, but we agreed to try again - one last time. Unbelievably, that one last attempt turned into two beautiful little heartbeats.
For 34 weeks, I enjoyed a healthy pregnancy. However, during a routine ultrasound, the doctors saw that one of the twin's amniotic fluid was dangerously low. They scheduled a c-section for the very next day. Haisley was delivered first and, upon her arrival, I heard the best noise: a loud cry. “I am finally here!” she seemed to say.
When Olive came into the world, there were no such comforting sounds. That echoing silence foreshadowed the challenges to come. While Haisley improved, Olive was wrapped in breathing tubes, wires and monitors.
For the next few days, the only cries I heard from my sweet girl were ones filled with panic and pain.
Her brain bleed meant that we needed to transition from Windsor Regional Hospital to London Health Sciences Centre. Terrified at the prospect of leaving Haisley but knowing Olive would not otherwise survive, I made the decision no mother should have to make. I held Haisley's tiny hand, told her I loved her, and said goodbye. Not knowing how long we would be apart or if she would ever see her twin again.
When Todd and I got to London, we were fortunate to get a bedroom at Ronald McDonald House, just 160 steps from where Olive stayed in the NICU.
Even in my wheelchair, it only took me five minutes to get from RMHC's big red doors to my baby girl's bedside.
Each night, I was in awe of what was available to families like ours. At first, we could not believe we had our own room – with a private bathroom?! From there, our shock and appreciation grew exponentially. The hot meals, living spaces, loving staff and unlimited coffee and care products filled our hearts up.
Even as our gratitude increased, it continued to be overshadowed by how we felt about leaving Haisley in the Windsor Regional Hospital. I remember looking at the photos of her my parents sent when an RMH Family Services staff member walked over carrying a blanket. I was confused because we had already received a blanket for Olive, but as she handed it to me, she said, “This blanket is for Haisley, we are thinking about her too.” I completely broke down.
Haisley must have really missed her sister because she fought hard to leave the hospital much earlier than expected. Initially, I was going to return to Windsor to take care of Haisley, but we knew in our hearts that Ronald McDonald House had become our home, and we needed to be together as a family.
Haisley energetically cheered on her twin sister, and with the support of her family, Olive recovered more and more each day. Thanks to the care we received within RMHC, Todd and I also grew stronger alongside our brave little girls. After six weeks, Olive was ready to leave the NICU behind, and we were more than ready to start our new chapter as a family of four.
48 days later, we said our emotional goodbyes to our newfound home and the incredible support system we built there.
Your generosity is what helps caregivers show up for their kids, no matter how difficult our days or long the nights. Because of your willingness to give, parents like us can be present for Southwestern Ontario's most fragile patients.
From the bottom of our hearts, we wish you a beautiful holiday season and ask that you donate to help families from your community stay close when they need, for as long as they need.
When you make a donation you are giving support to RMHC-SWO that helps ensure our House and Family Room programs are well maintained, welcoming and ready to keep families from your community close. Please select the type of gift you would like to make below.
