NICU Graduation
- kathrynsubas
- Jul 1, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 3, 2025
Some very exciting things happened over the past 4 days! On Friday Grace graduated from the NICU and moved to 5C which is the Neurology Wing. The reason for this switch was that she no longer needs an ICU setting as she is on minimal oxygen support, at full feeds, and no longer has a PICC Line - because she doesn't need IV nutrients anymore and isn't on any antibiotics.
This made Friday a very eventful day. She had her PICC line removed in the morning from a specialist from the IGT floor as she had a 3.0 French PICC (larger then normal). She then had a tap and then got moved immediately after!
Because Grace is the only newborn in this wing they gave us our own room which is so amazing but very strange feeling. Things are definitely a lot different here, even with nurse protocols and such which has been a lot to get used to, as we have only ever known an Intensive Care Unit. This is a good transition for me though in order to get my head around going home with her! I'm slowly getting used to less beeping monitors and nurse check ins and such. We miss some of the staff and people we got to know, especially our core nurse Angela, but she said she would come and visit! Sam and I also have much longer days now as the nursing care is 1 to 3 and Grace is on her own more. So we stay till midnight and then come back around 7:30am. We are working on figuring out a trading off system though so we don't burn out. We can also sleep in the room on the couch which is nice!
On Saturday Sam and I went to Burlington for Grace's baby shower where I got to celebrate with loved ones at a shower my mom, sister, sister-in-law, and nieces helped create! It was so lovely, and we got some amazing gifts to help out with our transition out of the hospital.
On Sunday we also got to give Grace her first real bath because she no longer has a PICC line and her incision is almost healed, so she can be submerged in water now! She didn't love it, but it was new for her so it will take some time to get used to it. We tried again today, without the PSW and nurse there, took are time, and let Grace just relax in the warm water without scrubbing her. She seemed to like it much better and even fell asleep for a bit!
Grace then had a tap today after the neuro team tried to challenge her and wait 72 hours between taps, just to triple check that she really does need a shunt. While God has not yet answered this prayer of ours that the Hydrocephalus would miraculously disappear we have had an answer to a different prayer! This one was that if Grace's story was to include a VP shunt we asked if it could happen as soon as possible so she can start healing and we can go home. As of today the team came and informed us that they are planning her surgery for Thursday afternoon! Praise God!
Now that we are in a new wing and have a private room we can have visitors! This is so special because now the people who have come to visit us and have not been able to see Grace can now come in! Today my brother and his family came and my sister-in-law and nieces and nephews met Grace for the very first time! Such a blessing!
Sam and I also got to take Grace for a ride in her stroller around the hospital which was such a surreal feeling!
Prayer Requests:
That wherever Grace's story may lead, that God would get all the glory!
Miraculous healing of her Hydrocephalus
That the shunt surgery, if required, would happen on Thursday as planned.
That no complications arise during surgery (there is a small chance that her stomach has too much scar tissue from her ostomy, which means the surgery will have to wait till she is bigger and there is more space to work with).
Continued healing from her brain damage.
A short intubation (that she wouldn't require it after surgery).
Peace for Sam and I through all the changes and surgeries
Guidance or providing of living arrangements once we can leave SickKids.
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