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Meet Tanner

Usually people think of the NICU as a place for newborn or preemie babies. However, in 1994, the NICU saved my two week old son's life.

We were at home one morning and I could tell something wasn't right with two week old Tanner. After getting him to the ER and having the Doctors resuscitate him, he had stopped breathing on the way to the hospital, he was transferred to the NICU. The hospital had STARS on stand-by and we were told that there was a drug that could help, but if that particular drug didn't start to work in the next hour or so he would have to be air-lifted to Calgary.

After a couple of excruciating hours, we were informed that the drug was indeed working and he would be able to stay here in the NICU until he was recovered.

Being a mother of a new born and having two small children at home, I wasn't sure how I would be able to tend to the needs of my family. The NICU helped me with tending to and coping with Tanners immediate requirements, and they were understanding of the obligations that we had outside of the hospital as well. We were able to call the nurses station anytime day or night to get a full update of what was going on. We felt comfortable leaving our sick child in the care of the NICU staff when we were unable to be there. The doctors and nurses kept us well informed and we were able to speak to them and ask any questions or talk about any concerns that we had about treatment and recovery.

Today, Tanner is a healthy and happy 12 year old boy who loves all kinds of sports. We will never forget the time we spent at the NICU, and we feel blessed that this remarkable care was available to us in our time of need.

We are forever indebted to the staff of the NICU.

- As told by Mrs. Kandis Parascak

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