A NICU Family in Need

Hello my name is Catherine and I am finding myself in a time of need. On 2/22/22 during my ultrasound for baby number 4 I was informed it wasn’t baby 4, but babies 4 and 5. The next few weeks were spent coming to terms with the possibilities and complications of having twins however, a short few weeks after that I went into the hospital leaking amniotic fluid and within 72 hours gave birth to Joan and Eleanor, 4 minutes apart each weighing about 2 pounds. They were 28 weeks gestation.

During the six weeks of knowing they were twins and discussing the different scenarios never did it occur that we would be in the NICU for months. The situation became even worse when after day one Joan was transported to a different hospital 40 miles away because she needed extra support that wasn’t available at the hospital she was born at. Furthermore the NICU were they were born in is 70 miles from our home.

So here I am a few weeks postpartum being pulled desperately in three different directions. My older children (8,6, 2) are at home with grandma, trying to maintain some sense of stability and security by finishing the school year and being in their home, in their rooms, with their toys, but without their mother. During the week I go to each NICU each day spending a handful of hours with each girl and then on the weekends my big kids come to me to spend time together.

In the mix of all this I had to stop working earlier than planned and grandma stopped working to be with the kiddos full time. You may ask, where is the children’s father? Well to be honest he was with me at the hospital when he decided he wasn’t going to stay and left. Leaving us broken hearted and in a real crisis.

The money I'm asking for will go to help me transition from this stage of Joan and Eleanor's life to the next which is when they come home. It will help cover travel expenses, child care and everyday bills that have fell to the wayside as I play catch up just trying to make sure that my children are supported and loved.

Thank you for reading my plea and for any contribution you are able to make-even just well wishes and prayers!