I wanted to share a special thanks to Akron Children’s NICU, surgery teams, ER, and the infant toddler unit on the 7th floor, as well as other staff who help run this incredible hospital.
I’m also thankful that Akron Children’s runs special care nurseries in other hospitals. My oldest living son was born at 31 weeks weighing 4 lbs., 6 oz., at Summa Akron City where he was admitted to the special care nursery for a feeding problem.
The day before he was discharged it was discovered that he had hydrocephalus. They kept him for what was supposed to be only the weekend to monitor him. Then I was supposed to bring him to Akron Children’s Hospital for surgery.
But the nursery got so full they sent him to Children’s main campus where neurosurgery placed a shunt which will remain there. They still continue to follow up on him.
I have taken him to The ER for infections, allergic reactions, and concerning reflux difficulties where he has ended up being admitted to the 7th floor. He is now a healthy 17 month old.
His younger brother was born at 26 weeks. He’s now 7 months old and he has spent all of it in Akron Children’s NICU. He had become ventilator dependent due to premature lungs. So yet another surgery team has helped save my children’s lives.
They performed a tracheotomy and a placement of a feeding tube so my son can go home while his lungs continue to get stronger.
We are currently working an feeding him orally and the staff is helping us learn how to continue his care when we go home. Fingers crossed it won’t be much longer.
As part of our year-long anniversary celebration, well be telling the story of Akron Childrens through the eyes of past and present employees, doctors, donors, volunteers and patient families. We encourage you to share your own memories and stories about us.