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A letter from Karen R. & Family
My husband and I found out we were pregnant with twins when I was 20 weeks along. We were thrilled. Then, a week later, we found out it was a rare pregnancy where both babies were in the same amniotic sac. Not knowing much about twins we didn't have many concerns beyond normal pregnancy trials and tribulations. That all changed after my first appointment with a specialist dealing with high-risk pregnancies. We were informed of the risks of the babies sharing the same sac, and that it was best if they were delivered no later than 34 weeks gestation. In addition to a mandatory c-section, we were told the babies would be hospitalized in the Maine Medical Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for at least two weeks. Our joy turned into anxiety, our happiness to fear.

At 32 weeks I delivered beautiful identical twin boys. We named them Alexander and Jamison. Alex was smaller, weighing only 4 lbs. 2oz. Jami weighed 4lbs. 14oz. After the surgery I was wheeled down to the NICU to see both of them. Alex was awake and I got to hold him right away, but Jami was already hooked up to a ventilator with wires and tubes all over. His eyes were closed and I only got to touch his tiny fingers.

The days that followed were heart wrenching to say the least. Alex was doing great, breathing room air right away, and just needing to learn to eat. Jami had so many issues. His heart had a defect, his lungs severely diseased. He had a blood clot in his left leg and tubes in his chest. How a little baby could go through all that was a wonder to us.

Days turned into weeks. We found comfort within the walls of the Ronald McDonald House. We started staying there a week and a half after the boys were born. We have two other sons, Tyler, 4, and Cameron, 2, and we wanted to keep the family together. I ventured back and forth to the hospital while my husband roamed around Portland with our two oldest. At nightI would spend time with Tyler and Cameron while Joe visited Alex and Jami. It wasn't easy, but we were together.

After three weeks Alex was able to come home. It was a bitter-sweet situation - to finally be able to bring home one of our babies, but leaving the other behind. Jami didn't seem to be making any progress. We settled Alex in with us at the Ronald McDonald House. He was given a warm reception. The staff and volunteers were incredible. What was such a stressful and emotional time seemed softened by the care and concern displayed at RMH.

Weeks turned into months. Jami started improving slowly. At five weeks old I was able to hold Jami for the first time and he finally left the NICU after six weeks. He was placed in the Continuing Care Nursery where I was able to bring the boys in to see him on a regular basis. He was still on oxygen, but starting to nurse and take a bottle. What a long time we waited to hold him like a real baby. Every day after that he improved a little more, until finally, after ten weeks Jami was able to come home.

To finally be able to go home with all four of our boys was truly a blessing, and a day we thought might never come. But it had and we were faced with yet another sad situation, saying good-bye to all the friends we made at the hospital, and especially at RMH.

We're not sure what we would have done without the support of the staff and volunteers at RMH, but we're glad we didn't need to find out. Today, Jamison and Alexander, along with Tyler and Cameron, are doing great. Thank you to everyone at the Ronald McDonald House.