Emilia is 35 weeks in gestational age and 64 days old in actual age. She seems to be one of the oldest babies in the NICU. There is one other baby I know who has stayed for ninety-something days. I am not sure if there is any baby who has been there longer than Emilia, other than that particular baby I know, who was born in late April and is about 39 weeks gestation.
As Emilia gets older, day by day, week by week, I am becoming more anxious and uncertain about our transfer and discharge. Every time the baby next to Emilia leaves, either for home or to a Level 2 nursery, there is a new baby that comes, only to leave in several days while we are still sitting at the same place. I feel depressed. Even a younger baby got transferred to a step-down unit last night, and I must wonder "why not Emilia?". As so many faces change around us, I feel we are the only ones that's going to be left behind here forever, while everybody is moving forward. This certainly is a depressing feeling when you want your child to be the best and healthiest one in the unit. Although I must not, I can't help comparing Emilia to other babies around us to see if she is doing what other babies are doing.
When I bid farewells and wish all the best to other parents of NICU, I wish I was the one leaving, not left... but I know we will hang in here for the next while.
Emilia was born on May 31, 2011, at 25 weeks and 5 days in gestational age. She came home on October 21, 2011 after spending 143 days in the hospital. Today she's a thriving, happy baby who continues to amaze us every single day. This blog records the journey of our miracle baby.
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