MILESTONES

Nancy White
Jul 19, 2009 10:32pm (EST)

Judi - congrats on the milestones -- all of them ( shared the 50/25 one last year. Get ready for POWERFUL women!)

LilyGrace'sMom
Aug 05, 2009 05:45pm (EST)

Judi, what great milestones to celebrate!

Thank you so much for sharing Ethan's story with us. I can't imagine not having family and friends around. I can't imagine not being in the right hospital with the appropriate care. I can't imagine not having Share and the March of Dimes in my corner.

Lily Grace was in the NICU for 18 days, but for 6 of those days we were evacuated from Hurricane Rita so if I knew what I know now, I would have asked and insisted in getting a full update from those 6 lost days. I think because she did so well and had little issues that when I return I felt I didn't have the right to ask and take away from the NICU's time to cater to me. To a have a MOD NICU Support Specialist available would have made a world of difference for me.

Thank for you for putting his module together. I know it will benefit so many in the near future.

Caongratulations again on your sons' graduation, anniversary and birthday. Embrace it all!

Jaclyn

weerock
Aug 05, 2009 06:46pm (EST)

Judi -
Congratulations on all your milestones, and I do believe they are all worthy of celebration!

Thank you so much for sharing Ethan's story, your story, with us. I'm so glad you worked for the MOD, and knew there were other options available for him. I'm not sure I would have known to do that - I think I would have just assumed my baby was in good hands.

As you know, I've had both a long and a short stay - and definitely believe much can be done to provide more services for the short-termers. It's much needed, and would be invaluable.

Happy Birthday, Happy Anniversary...and Congratulations to Ethan (and to you!) on his graduation!

Denise

KHolley
Aug 05, 2009 07:14pm (EST)

I love this post, my daughter spent 13 days in the NICU and like you, I had no support and no direction. I am so excited to see someone working so hard for the short stay families. Thank you.

Congrats on Ethan's graduation!

Katie

Judi Gooding
Aug 05, 2009 07:34pm (EST)

Thanks everyone for your suport -- I am so glad to be where I can hear, listen and help now.

Nancy, great to know I'm not the first cramming all the biggies into one year!

Jaclyn -- something you said will be my inspiration for this month: *I can't imagine not having Share and the March of Dimes in my corner.*

Denise -- I can't tell you how many times I thought: "what about all the moms who don't know? or don't feel powerful enough? or have no money, no resources?" It's for those women I work in social services and public health. They can't fight alone. They need us.

Katie -- I didn't know you had a shorter stay too. If you haven't given input into the new module, email Lori at lgunther@marchofdimes.org!

And, thank you, everyone on the congrats for my peanut's graduation. (and my birthday)

Judi

makcalla
Aug 06, 2009 12:34pm (EST)

Judi~

Congratulations on so many milestones!

My preemie did not have a short stay in the NICU and we knew she would be there weeks before she was born. But when I look back on those first weeks, the chaos and confusion and utter not knowing, the total blur of experiences, I can only imagine the horror that short stay families grow through. It took me over 2 weeks to get my feet beneath me and begin to understand the NICU. Even as a long-termer, there were a number of things that could have been done early on in our stay to make it easier. I can only imagine what it is like for families who never get a shot at that extra help.

Thank you so much for all you do. You are making a better life for families everywhere.

Again, congratulations!

Hugs,
Mary

Judi Gooding
Aug 06, 2009 03:46pm (EST)

What a generous thought and comment from a mom who had so much to deal with. It is this kind of generosity of spirit and care that makes Share what it is -- and makes my work even more worthwhile! Thanks, Mary.

Judi

katestclair
Aug 06, 2009 04:12pm (EST)

Judi
This blog is amazing..while your stay might have been short your blog summerizies how we all feel in the beginning. It's scary to take a full term helathy baby home, but to take a baby home who has spent even a day in the NICU..well that adds huge amounts of pressure to the situation.
Congratulations on all the milestones..maybe you'll let me buy you a drink in DC for your birthday!
Thank you for all you do support all of us...
Warmly
Kate

Angel Love
Aug 08, 2009 09:46pm (EST)

Judi~

I'm so glad that you've shared your experience with us. I am so happy to hear of the awesome milestones that you're experiencing at this time!! You certainly have a handsome son!

Tracy

jack-n-kates_mom
Aug 09, 2009 02:42pm (EST)

Judi,

Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. What great milestones!!!

Thank you for everything that you do for all of us. I can't wait to see you again in D.C.

Take care,

Kelly

Judi Gooding
Aug 12, 2009 01:49pm (EST)

Yay! ShareUnion here I come!

Thanks for all your support and comments and I hope to see you all at SU09 in DC!

(And yes, I have to agree, he is a handsome young man...which does help when teenager-madness rears its head.)

Judi

To post, please login or register.