Tuesday is fast approaching! We can't wait to see this guys little face.
We have to be at BWH at 6 AM Tuesday. Once He is born, he will spend a little time in NICU at BWH until he is stable. Once he is stable, he will be moved over to the CICU (cardiac intensive care unit) at Children's. Jeremy will be with Jack when he is transferred both the NICU and CICU and my mom will be with me. Once I am given the green light, I will head over to the CICU to visit Jack. The wonderful thing about these 2 hospitals is that they are connected by a tunnel. I can hop in a wheelchair and roll on over to Children's without having to be discharged.. and Jack doesn't have to go out in the cold when he is transferred. A little detail, but a very comforting one to this mama.
Jack will be staying in the CICU at Children's for a minimum of 2 to 4 weeks after he's born. Anyone wanting to visit is welcome to do so. All visitors must be over 18 and have their flu and Tdap vaccines. They allow only 2 people in at bedside at a time. So Jeremy or I will take visitors in one at a time. There is a pretty nice waiting room with vending machines, TV's etc.
The address for Children's is 300 Longwood Ave, Boston. This is the address we use in our GPS. The Children's parking garage is right across the street from the hospital. You check in as a guest at the front desk. They validate parking, so before you leave, stop back at the front desk and they will stamp your parking ticket. Validated parking is 10 dollars.
To get to the CICU, take the blue elevators (Fish to Fegan) up to the 2nd floor. Walk straight off the elevators down a small, ramped hallway and take your first right onto a large ramped corridor. Walk straight and you will find a set of elevators on your left. The CICU is located on the 8th floor. I am hoping I can get better directions to update this post later, but for now, Jeremy and I are going by our memories from our visit/tour a few weeks ago. If you get lost, just give one of us a call and we will get you where you need to be.
Jack will be an infant with no spleen and serious medical issues. Keeping that in mind, if you aren't feeling well, it's in the baby's best interest if you wait until you are 100% to come and see him. If you want to come visit, just give us a call!
I will post again once we are all checked in Tuesday morning... keep those prayers and well wishes coming!
xo
Marissa
Helpful link:
Children's Boston Location:
http://www.childrenshospital.org/about-us/locations/boston
BCH's CICU:
http://www.childrenshospital.org/centers-and-services/programs/a-_-e/cardiac-intensive-care-unit-icu-program/overview
PDF map of BCH:
http://www.childrenshospital.org/~/media/bch/locations/bchcampusmap062013.ashx?la=en
(thank you Lewis for this and all the other helpful info!!)
You and Jeremy are already amazing parents! God has prepared you for all that is ahead... and Jack is being born into a wonderful, loving family. We will be praying for each of you. Know we are here if there is anything we can do. Much love!
ReplyDeleteChristy and Uncle Rob
Hi Marissa. My name is Scott Middlemiss. I was connected to your story and blog via a mutual friend, Allie Bishop. I am a dad to two heart warrior boys, both with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. My youngest is also a Jack; he is now 17 months old, and is listed for a heart transplant. I am only telling you this because we have spent a lot of time on both 8 East (the cardiac floor) and 8 South (the CICU). Jack was also born at BWH, and the plan was for him to go to Children's NICU. But, he did ok at birth, so we just stayed in the BWH NICU for a few days. But, since then, Jack has been on both 8 East and 8 South, on 8 South just a couple weeks ago for some stress testing.
ReplyDeleteThe easiest way for people to get to 8 South is just to go in main entrance, walk past the welcome desk, the new interactive wall, and past Au Bon Pain and to the main elevators. Take the main elevators to the 8th floor. 8 East is usually open, but 8 South is specifically marked, and guests need to be buzzed in. So, just make sure they know that. They do stick to the 2 adult limit in the CICU, but, as you said, the waiting room is adequate and can comfortably sit some waiting guests. One parent can stay overnight with the baby in the CICU. Obviosuly, you will be recovering early on, so it will be your husband. I have been in that spot after both babies, and it is not easy for dad or mom. But, it will be ok. The cardiac floor staff are amazing people, and certain nurses will become family. They will help you out, and guide you through this journey.
My wife, Kate, and I wanted to just offer our emails/phone numbers if you have any questions. Please just let me know if you would like this information, and I will send it to you immediately. In addition, if you need other type of support (meals, toiletries, parking, books), we have a foundation that helps heart families with these types of things. (www.jmbigheart.org) Please just let us know if we can help.
Although we do not know one another, we are now connected by our children, our miracles who are born fighters and teach us so much as they battle through their medical obstacles. Remember that you are in the best hospital in the world for your baby. But, even so, do not ever hesitate to speak up and advocate for what YOU feel your child needs. The doctors and nurses need to hear from you, and you need to be part of all decisions. Your thoughts, feelings, mother's intuition, and other input are vital to Jack receiving the best care possible.
We will keep you, Jeremy, and, especially, Jack, in our thoughts and prayers. Take care.