We thank God every day for their dedication I am well because he is well...That is my son Corey. Not only was I a patient in the high risk OB office, but we spent one month in the NICU and two months in the PICU. With 52 hours in labor, I saw and was cared for by a large group of wonderful nurses and doctors across a variety of shifts. Corey was born with a TEF/AE and Dr. Pradeep Nazarey and the pediatric team repaired Corey's trachea on day four of life. The NICU staff was there encouraging us and supporting my pumping through the tough first month of Corey's life. Sadly, only two days at home brought us an emergency trip into the ER in the snow storm of 2013, where even the reception staff recognized the severity of Corey's status as we later learned he developed a chylothrorax collapsing his right lung. That ER team saved our son. The PICU team then took over and helped us get through the slow and tedious process of recovering from a chylothorax with chest tubs and medications. The pediatric floor was wiling to work with two parents who had really been through hell. We have worked with so many people at UMass Memorial and honestly, they treat us with such respect and understanding that even during our several return trips people come to visit and check on Corey. UMass Memorial is our go-to care team and we thank God every day for their dedication and willingness to understand that it is not just our son who needs their care, but also his parents who know their baby inside out and backwards. I am well because he is treated well by all those we meet at UMass Memorial. THANK YOU DOES NOT EVEN BEGIN TO EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE. —Taryn Barlow
I’m well because… The amazing doctors and nurses in Labor and Delivery made sure I was okay while still in my mommy's belly when she was attacked. They also made sure I was okay and was a good eater before I was discharged home after being delivered at their amazing hospital! Thank you Labor and Delivery! —Ella Martin
I’m well because… I am well because I was brought by ambulance to UMass Memorial, unconscious with eclampsia, when my boyfriend found me in the tub, drowning. They delivered my daughter at 26 weeks and saved both of our lives. I had two seizures and a stroke and my daughter’s placenta was poisoning my blood, making my kidneys slowly shut down. I tried biting nurses, doctors, and even my family. I don’t remember a thing. Then the NICU took good care of her. Thank you! We are here today because of you! —Glendaly Texidor
She’s well because… My Daughter, Stefanie is well because of UMass Memorial Hospital and the NICU. Thirty six years ago Stefanie was born at Burbank Hospital in Fitchburg, after a normal pregnancy. Although I was a new mother with my first born, I knew something was not right when she wasn't crying when she was born. She was listless and had a bluish tone to her skin. Her pediatrician ran all the tests available and Stefanie was being monitored very well in the nursery, but ultimately the decision was made to send her to UMass Memorial's NICU. We had Stefanie baptized before she was transferred, as we were told she was very sick. Once Stefanie arrived at the Memorial Campus's NICU, it was a whirlwind of tests and more tests to get an answer as to what was causing my baby to be so ill. The doctors that attended to Stefanie called every single day, sometimes more than once a day, to tell us what they were doing to find an answer. Nurses called and assured us that she was being cuddled and cared for while we were not with her. It didn't take long for…
…the doctors to diagnose Stefanie with Septicemia and start aggressive treatments. Once they knew what they were up against and the medication was increased, Stefanie started to get well and after three weeks we were able to finally take her home. I will always remember that feeling when the nurse stepped up to the car door and handed me my baby. The nurse was crying, I was crying, and I just couldn't thank her enough for all they did to save my daughter. Before the nurse walked away she left a little book with me. She had written a “diary” of her days with Stefanie in the NICU. UMass Memorial touched my life in April of 1979 and I will always and forever remember the loving care, attention, and great medical care my Daughter received. —Joy Walsh
I’m well because… The delivery doctors knew what to do when my son was born light blue and limp. They called NICU doctors and they were in the room in two minutes. The NICU doctor gave him an exam and said he was dehydrated and gave him fluids. He blew up like a balloon and the best cry I ever heard was after his fluids. —Samantha Eldardir
I’m well because…we transferred my son’s care to UMass Memorial My son was born January 4, 2013, with a rare congenital anomaly called "esophageal atresia and tracheoespohageal fistula." This is a life-threatening condition which requires surgical correction at birth for survival (his esophagus was not attached, thus he could not swallow any fluids). We did not know he had this birth defect until several hours after his birth and a nurse (with prior NICU experience) recognized signs of this condition and alerted Dr. Stuart Weisberger, the neonatologist on call. My son was actually born at St. Vincent’s Hospital but thankfully, with the clinical experience of the St. Vincent's nurse and Dr. Weisberger's expertise, the diagnosis was confirmed very quickly and a transfer of care to UMass Memorial NICU was immediately set into place. Lars was in the NICU for 17 days...and held the record for the shortest stay for a baby with this condition at UMass Memorial, as his surgery and recovery went so well. —Mia Jordan
I’m well because… This isn't a story about me but the journey of my son, Ethan Thomas Maxim, who was born at UMass Memorial hospital on May 11, 2012. We'd lost a son when he was six months old and this was our rainbow baby. He was born a preemie, only 27 weeks along when his mom was rushed to UMass Memorial after her water broke. At 2:57 P.M. Ethan Thomas Maxim entered the world and he was beautiful! Ethan was born with a gramnegative infection, ended up getting necrotizing enterocolitis,and we almost lost him. Thanks to the dedicated nurses and doctors of UMass Memorial, I now have a beautiful 2-1/2 year old son who is full of life, and I owe it all to them. You saved my son’s life! —Chris Maxim
I’m well because‌ I would be pleased to share our NICU journey with the UMass Memorial marketing team as we were very pleased with our experience at UMass Memorial .....especially as it was such an emotional time for us (first time parents, great pregnancy, carried full term 42 weeks and 1 day).
I’m well because…
The NICU staff is AMAZING!!!! Without them I would not have my daughter ! —June Truehart
My son is well because… UMass Memorial has been a big part of my son’s life. He spent just under three months in the NICU at UMass Memorial due to a birth defect called gastroschisis. He suffered rare complications due to the defect, which left him with short bowel syndrome. We expected a NICU stay of six months or more but due to the amazing team at the NICU, he was home and doing wonderfully at just three months old. As he grew, however, he suffered complication due to his short bowel syndrome. He is now under the care of an amazing gastroenterologist at UMass Memorial, which has allowed him to have a better chance of getting through his complications. —Megan Turcotte
I’m well because… I had an amazing team of physicians that took care of me and my child. At 21 weeks pregnant I was rushed to UMass Memorial because I was two centimeters dilated from a routine ultrasound. I remained on inpatient bed rest for ten weeks until my daughter was born at 31 weeks. The care I received while I was on bed rest kept me educated, strong, and forever grateful. My daughter is now seven and is a beautiful, healthy, bright girl. —Jennifer Szklarz
Without them, I truly believe I wouldn’t be here today. I had an extended hospital stay at UMass Memorial for seven weeks due to pregnancy complications. I received nothing but constant support and encouragement from all the nurses and doctors that I came in contact with. Each and every one of them made my stay not so hard in their own individual way. I'm well because they were able to find out what was wrong and do what they could to not completely solve the problem but at least make it somewhat more bearable for me. Without them I truly believe I wouldn't be here today. Without them my baby wouldn't have survived. Without them my kids wouldn't have a mother. They took care of me physically and emotionally. —Tiffany Guilmette
I call her my life saver!! In 2007, I found a small lump in my left breast. I went to see my gynecologist, Dr. Brenda Neary. She immediately set up a biopsy for that afternoon at the Peter Levine Center. She recognized the signs of inflammatory breast cancer. I call her my life saver!! During research, I found that most doctors believe that it is a breast infection and give antibiotics to their patient. Most of those women passed away within six months. After family meetings with my cancer team, I underwent 18 weeks of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy and then 38 radiation treatments at UMass Memorial Medical Center. Except for my diabetes and a heart attack in 2013 (a medical stent was put in place), I really feel good! I am 67 years old and glad to be alive. I attribute it to the care I received from Dr. Neary and my oncology team headed by Dr. Kathy Edmiston. —Donna Towner
My sons are well because… A couple of weeks before they were born, I was put on hospital bed rest due to preeclampsia. I was doing well until the night of March 9, 2012. That is when Dr. Aversa came in and said I needed an emergency c-section that night. I totally freaked out because I was only 30 weeks and a few days along. My nurse, Val, who had been my nurse for many shifts, offered to stay past her shift and support me during my c-section. She knew how scared I was. (That was the first of many acts that proved to me I had made a wise choice in UMass Memorial). Dr. Aversa had plans with family that night, but he called from the restaurant and told the nurses he would come back to do my surgery. I was so comforted by that. It was a scary time. Val and Dr. Aversa talked me through the spinal (I freak at the thought of needles), and kept me calm during my surgery. I don’t know how I could have done it without them. Val actually stayed with me until I was put into my room. She was an angel. My son Andrew, was born at 9:29 pm and weighed 3 lb. 7 oz. His brother Zachary was born at 9:30 pm and weighed 2 lb. 3 oz. Andrew needed extra help breathing, but Zachary did fairly well. They each had their own NICU team of doctors and nurses. They let me touch each of my boys before rushing them away. Once in the NICU, the staff moved quickly to stabilize the boys. I was unable to see the boys again until the next day. Dr. Aversa called me a warrior because I was up and moving so quickly after my c-section. I have to give the credit to a nurse, whose name I cannot recall, who told me the sooner I start moving, the less pain I would feel. That, in addition to the intense need to be with my babies, got me up and moving. I shuffled my way to the NICU to see my babies. I was overwhelmed by the sight of my sons’ tiny little bodies hooked up to machines. The nurses were so understanding and supportive. They comforted me, answered all my questions, and gave me strength. The staff in the NICU showed me the strength and survival instinct my tiny babies had within them. Every morning I attended the doctor’s rounds to hear updates on Andrew and Zachary. If I was feeding or holding one of them, Dr. Picarillo would come and fill me in on what was discussed and would answer any questions…
I learned more than I ever wanted to know about collapsing lungs, chest tubes, IVs that go into their tiny little heads, brain bleeds, desats, and bradys. I became used to the sounds of monitors and alarms as my babies forgot to breathe because they were born so early. I became strong, having faith that God had brought the talented team of doctors, nurses, and staff to the UMass Memorial NICU, to care for special babies like mine. One of the boys’ primary nurses, Paula Barbas, spoke to me about the importance of kangaroo care. I was on board immediately, spending hours each day holding each of my sons with skin to skin contact. I even convinced my husband to kangaroo with the boys. I feel this intense nurturing helped them get strong enough to move to the continuing care nursery more quickly. When Dr. Bednarek, asked me to participate in a study on kangaroo myhaving son Zachary, the idea. Andrew stayed in the NICU for 39 days, finally being able tocare leavewith after his lungsI jumped collapseattwice, yet defying the odds. Zachary, on the other hand, seemed to like Dr. Picarillo and his staff in the continuing care nursery. Every time we made it to a day of no bradys, Zach would throw one in there. I was discouraged and felt he may never come home. His nurses, Brenda LaFleur and Gail, kept my spirits up. They cared for both me and my sons. Zachary was finally able to come home after 70 days. I think the nurses cried as much as me to see him go. I have never had such a positive experience with a hospital in my life. The staff comforted me as I experienced grief at the loss of my pregnancy (too soon), they calmed my fears about the boys’ conditions and their futures, and they made me laugh at times when I would have rather curled up in a ball and cried. What more can I say about the amazing staff at UMass Memorial, except they are amazing! I survived pre-eclampsia and have two beautiful healthy boys because of the wonderful, experienced staff at UMass Memorial. From the bottom of our hearts, my family would like to thank you and say God bless you for the work you do. —Stephanie Thompson
I’m well because… UMass Memorial High Risk OB played a huge part in the health of myself and my three children (plus one on the way). My oldest is 18 and my soon-to-come daughter is due March 17, 2015. I am a Type I diabetic and am now 39 years old, so they have a challenge on their hands, but greet me every time with such a personal touch. Can't imagine going anywhere else. —Patricia Rydlak
Thank you for saving my life I’m well now because of the amazing staff at the UMass Memorial NICU! I was born very sick with Hydrops, Down Syndrome, and pulmonary hypertension in July 2014. It was touch and go whether I could hold on for the first few weeks, but the doctors and nurses worked their magic on me! After spending my first two months in the hospital and having a carefully tailored treatment plan on different medicines and machines, I got to go home with my mom, dad and two sisters! I've been having a blast ever since. I learned how to eat without my feeding tube, I smile and laugh, make kissy faces, roll over, babble and coo, splash in the bath tub, and I LOVE all kinds of music and the New England Patriots! Thank you for saving my life UMass Memorial! My family will be forever grateful <3 —Calvin Bolton and Family (Written by Calvin’s Mother)