Sunday, May 9, 2010

Mother's Day in the NICU

Working in a Neonatal intensive care unit on Mother’s Day, I watch the mom’s of my patients coming in to spend time with their precious babies who can’t be home with them yet. It is poignant and heartbreaking. One woman, said to me the other day that she just wants to feel like her baby’s mom, and to take care of her. She acts as her mom in everything she does even if it wasn't what she imagined.

Still, I did get to discharge two babies today. Two mom’s got to take their children home for the first time weeks or months after their babies were born. One of these babies is extra special to me, cause I know the family in my real life. She looked at me and said, "I finally feel like I'm his mom." "Oh no," I replied, "you've been his mom and advocated for the best for him all along, but now its time for him to go home." I wish them all the best!


I wish a Happy Mother’s Day to all of you mom’s out there. And a special Mother's Day wish to mom's of sick babies, you often amaze me with your kindness and your patience!

8 comments:

Jennifer said...

I can't imagine. Thanks for all you do for those babies and those families. girl.

Hollee Temple said...

Thank you for what you do. NICU doctors have to be strong.

Unknown said...

As a mother of a 1 lb 11 1/2 ounce preemie baby girl, I THANK YOU and God bless you, because I couldn't do your job. I have the heart for it.. but my emotions would NOT be able to handle it.

My "baby" is now a beautiful 19 year old girl and I owe it all to wonderful angels like you
THANK YOU for making every preemie mom feel better about themselves and for being the the babies' mom when mom can't be there.

I could gush on forever, but I know you get my point ;)

Dr. Lisa said...

Thanks guys! I'm blessed to be a part of these families lives!

Unknown said...

I'm sorry "Dr. Lisa" didn't get through my head. All of the Drs and nurses are amazing!

Jack Steiner said...

I was called mother something or other yesterday. ;) You are doing something special and worth praise.

Dr. Lisa said...

Thanks Jack! I need to hear that sometimes. (the second part, the first you are something...)

Judi said...

Lisa, I'm @rqskye at Twitter. I caught your msg on the main Haiti page and responded with names of Haitians on the ground to follow.
You'll need to click on your twit ID name "@lkkelly" in the right-hand menu to find msgs from ppl you do not follow.
Judi Frazier