Hospital reuion connects staff, patients
Rachael Wayman said when her 2-year-old daughter, Malaina, was born nine weeks early with serious health issues — her stomach and esophagus were not connected properly — the staff at Central DuPage Hospital's neonatal intensive care immediately took steps to put the new mom at ease.
“They were awesome from the beginning,” Wayman said. “The nurses and doctors made sure we never felt like anything less than family. I'll never forget it.”
Wayman was one of hundreds who attend a special gathering Sunday of nurses, doctors and former patients from Central DuPage's NICU. The 25th annual “NICU reunion” took place at Danada House in Wheaton, and it featured a live calypso band, food and Halloween-themed games.
“We're expecting more than 500 people,” said Sue McCoy, manager of the NICU. “We'll see a lot of the really little kids, but some who are already teenagers, too. It's a nice thing for them, and nice for our nurses and doctors.”
Many of the children who attended came in their Halloween costumes. Most of the parents wore big smiles.
“It's wonderful to come back and see the people who were there for us,” Wayman said. “And we met friends while we were in the NICU, too — other patients, I mean. We still keep in touch with them. So it was a good experience for us overall.”
Chris Hoogestraat's son, Jack, was in the unit for four-and-a-half months. Jack was born on Halloween 2009 at the 25-week mark, weighing just 1 pound, 4 ounces. He was 11 inches long.
“Those first couple of months were really hard,” the Warrenville resident said. “He was on a ventilator for a part of that time. But the folks at the NICU were great.”
Jack undergoes six different kinds of therapy now, but he's doing well as he nears his second birthday, Hoogestraat said.
“We're very grateful,” she said.
Tiffany Kolar's twins, Trinity and A.J., were born several months premature on Halloween of 2008, and they stayed in the unit for five and three months, respectively. Kolar said she appreciated the chance she had Sunday to show the nurses at the reunion how well her children are doing.
“I think this reunion is just a great idea,” said Kolar, who lives in Warrenville.
Tina Mitchell, a nurse who has worked in the unit for six years, said she and her colleagues enjoy the opportunity to see parents with their children in a non-hospital environment.
“I love this reunion,” she said. “It's awesome to see how happy everyone is, and to see how the kids have grown so much. It gives you such a nice feeling.”