The Foundation at Mission Regional Medical Center
Our first child, Ryan, was born in a military hospital overseas in England, where everything went as planned—or as a first-time mother imagines it should, I guess. So we were caught by surprise when our second child, Bella, arrived early. We didn’t expect her until December, but she chose to arrive exactly one month before her due date on November 9th, 2010, at Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco.
The experience of pre-term labor was truly terrifying. But in the end, Bella Ruth Dandurand was born weighing 5lbs. 1oz. and 18 inches long. Throughout her delivery, we hoped for the best and then chose to focus on my recovery, since all I could think about was heading home with her; but, with Bella, things did not go as planned.
The next day, my husband and I were in the hospital room when a nurse from the pediatric unit came in with bad news: Bella was having trouble breathing on her own. Because she was premature, her lungs had not fully developed, and she was not strong enough to breathe on her own. Worse, we were told there was no Neonatal Intensive Care available and the staff was not equipped to handle her care. Immediately, it seemed, the doctor ordered Bella be transported to Mission Regional Medical Center, so she could receive the critical care she needed.
We were very scared, and worried about how she would do in transport. We didn’t want her to leave the hospital where we were, but if she didn’t go, we faced the possibility of losing her.
I know there’s a saying, “God never gives you more than you can handle,” but this sure felt like something we couldn’t handle! In fact, we knew this situation was out of our hands. We relied on our faith, and prayed, and gave Bella to God to protect on her ride to Mission—the first ride of her life.
The following day I was released from the hospital, and my husband drove us to Mission, to see our baby girl. From the moment we walked in, we were relieved to see her and get more information on her care. The NICU Nurses were so helpful, caring, and passionate about their jobs. We saw it in their care for Bella, and for every sick baby there. This gave us great comfort in leaving her, as we drove back and forth between Weslaco and Mission. Still, we cried every night, without our little one at home.
Although we missed her terribly, we took comfort in the good news each morning that Bella was getting better. Day by day her condition improved, and by the 8th day, she was well enough to travel, again—but this time she was coming home! When she was released from the hospital into our arms, where she belonged all along, it was an unforgettable, blissful moment, which we will never forget.
We are forever indebted to the Transport Team, nurses, and doctors at the NICU at MRMC, for being here for our Bella. Thanks to them, our ‘little miracle’ is doing well and continues to grow stronger!
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