Joy & Frustration

I am sitting in a hotel in Lebanon NH where the current temp is -13. Yes 13 degrees BELOW zero, though it's not the cold that is on my mind. The emotions are very mixed. It is a joy and a true blessing that the twins have finally arrived. However there is a great deal of frustration in the poor communications we're experiencing with the people in the intensive care nursery. Let me explain.

Sat 12/8 5pm We arrive in Concord NH where Kathy is having contractions.

Sat 12/8 8pm Kathy is transported by ambulance to Dartmouth-Hitchcock in Lebanon NH.

Wed 12/12 11am The babies arrive.

Fri 12/14 10am We ask about having the babies moved to a hospital closer to home. The 3+ hour round trip to Dartmouth is getting old quickly. We are told that could happen on Monday.

Sat 12/15 4pm Kathy is discharged as a maternity patient however they allow Kathy to "room as guest" in the birthing pavilion. Since Kathy's accommodations are set I head home for the weekend with Nick.

Sat 12/15 9pm Kathy is told by a nurse in the ICN that there is an opening at David's House (similar to the Ronald McDonald Houses) and that she should move there because she maybe asked to leave the birthing pavilion. She told that if she doesn't take it immediately then it will go to someone else. This all takes place while breast feeding Anya and she is moved without being able to feed Zach.

Sat 12/15 10am I get the a phone call from Kathy who is crying and terrible upset about being moved away from the babies.

Sun 12/16 4am Nick & I hop in the truck for a ride to Lebanon to be with Kathy. A noreaster storm is coming through the area so we pack a bag just in case we need to stay.

Sun 12/16 8am After having breakfast together we decide it's best for us Kathy, Nick & I to head home to ride out the storm. We figure we'll be back to see the babies on Monday and hopefully take them home on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Sunday 12/16 12pm I check in on the kids and am told all is well. I also called Concord to find out the status of the transfer request. They tell me they have not received any request for a transfer.

Sunday 12/16 7pm I speak with the nurse who is caring for the kids. She said they are doing feeding well and both have had their IVs removed. I asked that she reiterate our desire to have the kids moved to Concord so they will be closer to home.

Monday 12/17 6am I call to check on the twins and again I'm told they did great through the night. No issues to report. I am also told we should know about the transfer request after 11am.

Mon 12/17 1pm The three of us head out on our family "vacation". The plan is to spend the day at the hospital with the babies then spend the night at a nearby hotel (with a pool!!). When the babies were born we were told they would spend a week to ten day in the ICN before they could go home. The criteria for discharge was the needed to breath on their own, maintain their body temp in an open bassinet, breast or bottle feed and have 7 straight days without any apnea. As the babies had met all these goals, except the apnea which they only needed 2 more days apnea free, we figured they would be coming home on Wednesday. The finish line was in sight.

Mon 12/17 2:30pm We are greeted by nurse Ratchet who asks us if this is the first time visiting the babies!!

Monday 12/17 3pm We are told by the discharge nurse that Concord cannot take the babies as they are full. Also she tells us that Zach had an episode of apnea on the 15th and Anya had an episode on the 16th, so the soonest they could go home would be next Sunday! WTF?

Tue 12/18 5am Kathy heads over to feed the kids. Nick sleeps in at the hotel while I sit at the desk venting my frustrations! I can't wait to have everyone safe and well at home.