The McHenry Family

Hello from Chris, Virginia, Alex, Aidan and Baby Maricella. Our story begins on July 19, 2010 at about 0900 in the morning. Virginia was 24 weeks and 1 day along in her pregnancy when she woke at our home in Chippewa Falls, WI and noticed that she was leaking amniotic fluid. I called her Ob/Gyn and told them what was happening, and they advised to have her come to Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire. Shortly after our arrival we found out that her water had broken, and that we would have to decide which hospital we wanted to be transferred to. They gave us the choice of Minneapolis, Rochester and Marshfield.

I work as a firefighter/paramedic in Chippewa, and our service often brings patients to Marshfield, so I am most familiar with this hospital. Virginia asked if I was sure. I told her that this hospital would offer us the most personal care, and I trust in their abilities. The decision was made to transfer Virginia here.

When we arrived Virginia was brought to the labor room and was assessed by her Perinatologist, Dr. Mascola. The fact that Virginia’s water had broken was again confirmed. The plan was for Virginia to receive antibiotics and attempt to keep Baby Mari inside her as long as possible.

We were told about the Ronald McDonald House by the nursing staff, and that we would be able to stay there if Mari came early. Virginia had many visitors over the next few weeks, and I had to go back to work after the first week. On Friday July 30th Virginia’s friend Robin came to spend the night with her. This was to be the first “girls’ night” and Virginia was excited. Little did we know that by Saturday morning things were going to change.

When Virginia woke on July 31st she said she didn’t feel well. Kind of like she had the flu. She was placed back on strict bed rest, and I received a text message from Robin at 1000 about what was going on. I was at work at the Fire Department and had to find coverage. I was able to get to Marshfield by about 2:30 pm and things had slowed down. Then Virginia began to notice some contractions, and the monitor started showing some stress on Mari. She was moved to the Labor room and prepared for her c-section. Mari was born at 5:13 pm on July 31st and was 1lb 11oz and 13 and 3/8 inches long.

Mari was intubated and placed on a ventilator. She had umbilical lines placed and was begun on IV fluids. Her eyes remained fused shut, and they started giving her a “suntan” to help keep her bilirubin level down. She was placed in an isolet, and we were told that we wouldn’t be able to touch her.We could expect her to be here until her original due date. She was born at 25 weeks 6 days, and her due date was November 7, 2010.

The day before Virginia was discharged from the hospital I went to the Ronald McDonald House to see what we needed to do to stay there. I met with Sandy, the House Director and filled out the paperwork. I have worked for the fire department for 12 years, and had seen Ronny’s house across from the hospital every time I brought a patient here. I had no idea what this organization provided. I was given a tour of the house and told that we could stay at the House as long as Mari was in the hospital. We knew that we had a long road ahead of us and were grateful to have someplace to stay. We found that various community groups and families provided meals for the guests of the house about 20 days per month. Laundry service was available, and we were welcome to use any of the playrooms for our 20-month old son.

We were amazed!!!! So many people are involved in this wonderful organization to help families in crisis. Knowing that our daughter was in safe hands in the NICU and not having to worry about a place to stay or food to eat made our first few weeks much easier.

As the weeks went on we began to see families come and go. We are always amazed how the various families help and support each other. Sometimes talking to others in similar situations helps people to heal and to understand their circumstances.

Mari continued to grow and meet her milestones on her weight and feedings. We had many ups and downs along the way. Problems with her lungs, having to increase her breathing support, possible infections, ultrasounds showing something abnormal in her brain, periods where she forgets to breath or is lazy with her breathing, trying to see her with a 22-month old active boy, having to increase her oxygen with feedings, and how we are going to take care of her when we get home have all been at the top of our thoughts since day one.

We are happy to report that Mari is now a “feeder/grower” and is just getting bigger as we wait to take her home. Her feedings are going well and she is, as quoted by Dr Hoehn, “chubbin up.” She has had evaluations from respiratory, child psychology (for Mari and our family), physical and occupational therapy, and a nutritionist. We will have evaluations for the next several years with her neonatologist and neurologist. She has met or exceeded all of the staffs’ expectations. We know they have been doing so much to help her grow and develop into the healthy girl she is.

As we get close to going home as a family, we are truly grateful for all of the help we have received. All of the wonderful people we have met from Marshfield who have helped us with Aidan, the groups that provide meals for the House on an almost daily basis, the Day, Evening and Weekend House Managers that staff the house and answer questions, and most of all, the donors that keep the house running. We have been blessed with all of the support and friends we have made. We look forward to revisiting the area and showing off our little girl!!!!