Mixed feelings about discharge...

coachg

So Tyler is supposedly coming home "real soon" according to the NICU doctor. I am SO excited, believe me, but I honestly will kind of miss it. The nurses and doctors who have worked with Tyler during his "NICU journey" are fantastic! They have been there every step of the way and have been a big part of our lives since we are there everyday. It's been our routine since he was born to go twice a day and it will be very weird not having that be part of our day. It's almost like the NICU is our 2nd home. So many people in the NICU care about Tyler so much and I just get a *little* sad when I think about leaving. Don't get me wrong, I am so happy and relieved that he gets to come home where he is supposed to be!!!

Anyone else going through these thoughts? 

MrsLee22

Oh my word, YES! I see the nurses more than I see my own family, it's going to be weird not seeing them every day, for hours a day. Not to mention these are the people that saved my babies LIVES. I feel such a deep, deep gratitude and connection to them for that reason alone and it makes it hard to think about leaving them.

I'm already putting out offers for baked goods and baby snuggles for whichever nurse wants to come visit after we leave

mrsV719

I think I cried every night the week of Tyler's discharge. I was so so sad to leave the nurses and neos. It was very bitter sweet.. especially b/c you are so emotional and stressed about LO coming home too. We have been home for about a month and we have been back once to visit. The nurses still call and check in every once in while. We got this book: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Things-Small-Packages-Preemie/dp/0984238514 and had all of the nurses, neos, and staff sign it with little notes for Tyler for when he is bigger. It is a really nice memento. Also, I wish that we had gotten pictures of Ty with all of the nurses while he was there... we only have a few nurses in pictures and it would have been so wonderful to have them all. I may still try to get them, even though he is already discharged!

katie4253

Yes, for sure.  They have been our closest friends for the last (almost) 5 weeks.  I know about their lives, their families, and they know about us.  It is going to be hard to leave them.  We plan on bringing up Gabe so he can see them periodically.  And, of course, we won't ever forget Nurses Week!

Fancy3Face

I was like this too.  Our NICU "family" is very much still a big part of our lives.  We visit regularly and hang out with some of the nurses.  I was so happy to have my family home, but I missed the chats and support of the nurses/practitioners/docs.  

They took such great care of my loves (and me when I was a basket case) and for that they'll always have a special place in my heart.