Over the past few weeks I have been flooded with memories of what my life was like this time last year.
On May 6, 2019, I was able to hold Oliver for the first time after an emergency c-section.
Prior to Oliver’s birth, I was hospitalized four times. I had two stays at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis and Memorial Hospital in Carbondale, where Oliver was eventually born.
Between those stays there were talks of me staying long-term at Barnes and delivering at Barnes, or staying at Carbondale until Oliver’s birth. That eventually happened. I went in to have a check-up and a test and ended up staying for several days after delivery.
During these times, I met many nurses. Nurses who were also mothers, nurses who had challenging pregnancies, nurses who cared, nurses who had many other paitients on their shift, but took time to ease my mind and keep me calm.
I wish I could remember all of their faces and names, but a lot has happened in a year.
So, for now, a thank you to those of you who took care of me and Oliver during our hospital stays: Kaycee, Stephanie, Andrea, Gail, Andrea in NICU, Kendra, Amanda, Amber, Stephanie at Barnes, and so many others. I love you all and can’t thank you enough!!
I also want to give a special thank you to Kayla. Kayla met me on my first visit to Carbondale when I was scared, nervous, and being transferred to Barnes. She was my nurse during my c-section and throughout my other stays at Carbondale as well. She told me, when we connected again, that she prayed for me. She was worried for me because I was not very far along when I left the first time for Barnes.
Kayla and her colleagues took such good care of me and Oliver. They actually helped our entire family. I am so thankful for that.
I think people are put in your lives for a reason. Although this reason was Oliver, we have connected with actual angels on earth. I am forever grateful to the nurses at both hospitals. <3
Here’s a throwback post to nurses.