My, how they’ve grown!

The emphasis is on care for tiny patients and worried parents in the Special Care Nursery.

By LINDA M. LINONIS

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

BOARDMAN — When they were infants in St. Elizabeth’s Neonatal Unit, they looked frail and pale; some spent time in incubators or warming blankets; others were hooked up to tubes; and still others faced surgeries. One of the smallest barely tipped the scale at 1 pound, 6 ounces. (He’s now 12 years old and doing fine.)

Just look at them now! They’re healthy babies, toddlers, youngsters and teenagers.

Some 300 former neonatal unit patients, parents and other family relatives attended an aptly titled “How We’ve Grown” event Sunday afternoon at Master’s Pavilion at Boardman Township Park. The activity included a bounce around, slide, pumpkin painting, twist contest and bubble wand. Children also planted a marigold seeds to go with the “How We’ve Grown” theme. There also was a safety village, where children learned some tips.

The former patients, ranging in age from mere months to 19 years old, were doing what kids do naturally ... having fun and loving life.

“It’s a celebration of living and overcoming health challenges,” said Annie Soffran, public relations specialist with Humility of Mary Health Partners.

“The purpose is to bring families together,” she said of the reunion. There have been other such get-togethers, though they haven’t been held annually.

Reason for event

Diane Pitt, a registered nurse who has been with the special care nursery for 21 years, said the occasion was one to see the children and how they are thriving. “The majority of our patients are premature babies who have health situations of low blood sugar, infection, respiratory issues not related to birth and heart problems.”

Pitt said the neonatal unit has existed for some 30 years, and advances in medicine and technology have improved the survival chances of premature babies. For example, she said, “Surfactant, a medication, replenishes what’s missing in the lungs of preemies ... it helps their lungs expand.”

The census in the unit is usually about 15 babies, she said, but it’s been as few as nine. “We can comfortably take care of 20 to 27,” she said.

Karen Reardon, a staff nurse for 26 years in the neonatal unit, said, “I’m elated to see the children and see them look so good. They’re like your family.”

Some parents whose children spent life-saving time in the unit offered the following endorsements of the neonatal unit. The children’s will to survive was an essential element, but teams of dedicated doctors, nurses and specialists devoted their specialized skills and caring demeanor to the effort.

Erin and Joseph Angelo of Canfield saw their family of three, with 11-year-old daughter Katin, expand by three when triplets, Sydney, Madison and Trey, arrived. The triplets just turned 4 on Aug. 23. “They were 33 weeks and three days early ... keeping with the triplet theme,” said Erin Angelo, a science teacher at Canfield High School.

The girls, Sydney at 5 pounds 1 ounce, and Madison at 4 pounds 15 ounces, outweighed their brother, Trey, at 3 pounds 6 ounces. “When they were born, I think it was the seventh set of triplets that year, so the staff was prepared. There was a team for each baby and me,” she said.

After the planned Caesarean, the two baby girls went home after a week in the unit; their brother stayed to get his weight built up. Mrs. Angelo said the team thought “something wasn’t right” and discovered a bile infection. Because it was caught early, it lessened the problem.

“They check on you 24/7. It’s not just medical,” Mrs. Angelo said. She cited one instance where the staff made special arrangements for her to get her hair washed “just so I would feel better.” And she said she met other patients and has maintained connections with them.

‘Felt like home’

Lisa and Jim Mackin of South Pymatuning Township, Pa., attended with their 16-month-old daughter, Charlotte. When Charlotte was born May 18, 2006, she weighed 4 pounds and 15 ounces and was about six weeks premature. “I had a high-risk pregnancy, and my water ruptured at seven months,” Lisa Mackin said. “The staff was wonderful as they took care of us.”

The Mackins said they had been to a Pittsburgh hospital because of the nature of her pregnancy, but they found St. E’s to be more comfortable. “This felt like home,” Mackin said of the unit and its staff. “It was relaxed, and you felt connected to the people.

“The doctors were so reachable in the unit,” Mackin said, and his wife agreed that they always answered questions.

Twin sons of Lisa and Steven Sokol of Hubbard, both MRI technicians at St. E’s, were born Nov. 29, 2005, and at 26 weeks. Before her Caesarean, Mrs. Sokol had been on bed rest and then hospitalized. Andrew weighed in at 2 pounds 8 ounces, and Robert “Robby” at 1 pound 5 ounces. They were hospitalized for three months, with Robby eventually going to Akron for heart surgery. “It was hard to be torn like that ... with one son here and another in Akron. But I knew Andrew was being well taken care of while we were in Akron.”

“You feel comfortable there and get straight answers,” Mrs. Sokol said. “Caring is the word that most describes the unit. You get wonderful support.”

Among volunteer s at the event were 10 members of Students of Stewardship (SOS) at Ursuline High School, and students from Poland and Boardman high schools and a Youngstown State University student. “Our purpose is to serve the community,” said Kelly Matune, a senior at Ursuline and SOS member.