On Wednesday 5th August 2015 our lives took an unexpected turn and we got thrown headfirst into the neonatal world! You hear about it and see pictures, etc. but you never really take it in and understand how traumatic it is until you are living it and we were full swing.
I had to have our beautiful son Sebastian delivered by emergency c-section as he wasn’t coping well in the womb – his placenta was failing. Sebastian came into the world at 4.46am very poorly. His cord had 3 clots in it and his placenta was grey – if he was left in there any longer we definitely wouldn’t be living the life with our son we are today.
Sebastian was rushed straight to ICU on the Neonatal Unit at Arrowe Park, a world we never dreamed of entering. He was stabilised but it wasn’t long until we got pulled into a side room by Sebastian’s consultant and were told he didn’t have very good odds of survival – of course we broke down. Our lives came crumbling down – he was the sickest baby on the unit.
The support from the nurses, doctors, and consultants at this point and throughout was amazing – we couldn’t have got through it without them. They truly became our family and are such a big part of our journey.
We felt we needed to invite them for Christmas dinner!
After A LOT of ups and downs and a long 3 months of living in the hospital to be by the side of our boy we were FINALLY allowed to bring Sebastian home on November 5th 2015 – bonfire night, of all nights.
It was like a dream as we drove home we were surrounded by fireworks. We told Seb it was all for him, everyone was celebrating him coming home – it is something we will always remember.
Over 2 years on Sebastian is a true super hero – he has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, possible autism, GDD and sensory issues, he cannot walk or talk – but he has the most infectious smile and just lights up any room with his cheeky personality!
Without the incredible care of Arrowe Park Neonatal Unit we wouldn’t have our miracle today. It is all down to each and every single member of staff there – their care for Sebastian, their support for us as a family, knowing when we can have a joke and knowing when we need a cuddle – they truly are amazing, and extending the Neonatal Unit will take that care even further – being in a more spacious and comfortable environment to be able to stay by our babies 24/7 and act like a “real Mum” to our beautiful babies right from the start.
Arrowe Park Neonatal is truly where miracles happen.
