NICU Reunion

bump54321

Hi!  I haven't been on here in a long time.....well, since DS was first born in February. But this week I need some support if y'all don't mind.  Saturday is our NICU reunion.  I started crying when I got the invitation, and I know I'm going to be a crying, bawling mess on Saturday at the party.  The invitation alone just made so many emotions resurface.  I'm excited for everyone to see how far my little man has come, but, looking back, I have to say that it was a pretty dark/emotional time in my life.  Any tips on how to not have a total meltdown at the reunion?

tonjala

Well, it's going to be emotional, there's no avoiding that and you should take tissues. Other than that, just try to stay focused on how far your LO has come and remember that all the hardships he went through in the begining are only going to make him (and you) stronger. It's kind of a double edged sword, the NICU, because of the sadness we feel that our LOs had to spend the first few days/weeks/months of their lives their, most the time fighting for their lives, but it's also kind of bittersweet to think that because of the doctors and nurses there, he got strong and healthy enough to go home with you.

Just try to enjoy seeing the old friends (my DDs nurses and I became friends after spending so much time together) and remember that no matter what, your little man is going home with you. GL and let us know how it goes.

Cara03

My new philosophy for myself is to try to embrace the emotions and let myself feel them and deal with all that I am feeling. Too long in the NICU and after getting home I bottled everything up and didn't let myself really feel, and as a result, I have a lot of emotional healing to do from the NICU and preemie experience. Now I'm trying to deal with emotions as they arise and let myself feel sad, angry, etc, because all of those feelings are normal and it does seem like I can walk a little lighter after a big sobbing session, so I think it is slowly working.

Maybe it would be good to go ahead and let yourself cry and feel whatever emotions come up. Maybe it would be good healing for you? I think everyone at the reunion would understand.

Irishsapphire

I actually went to Swedish Hospital's NICU/ISCU reunion in June while my baby was still in the hospital.  I just cried when I saw all of the healthy kids and their parents--it was so inspirational.  And you would never guess that the kids had been born premature.  The director was nice and had one of the parents talk to me while I was at the reunion.  It will probably be a couple of years until they have another reunion, but I would love to go to it.  And hopefully, I will see some parents and their kids that I met while my baby was in the hospital. 

lemen99

I think it's a really amazing experience if you think you can handle it!  I'm not a very emotional person so I don't get teary-eyed, but certainly being there is like witnessing a miracle.  We went today and I'm so glad I did. I cannot wait to go again.

FWIW, if you do cry, I wouldn't be embarrassed about it.  I think that emotion is normal and healthy!