Recently, our staff in the Charles A. Mastronardi NICU experienced an emotional farewell. One of the many bittersweet send-offs that they encounter in their work caring for our smallest patients in the highly advanced, level III-designated intensive care unit for newborns (the highest designation available to a community hospital). But this one seemed extra special.
It was to Patrick Anes, born on December 8th, 13 weeks early and weighing just two pounds. Patrick spent the first three months of his life in our NICU, under the care of Director Dr. Jesus Jaile-Marti, and an extraordinary team of neonatal nurses working around the clock to strengthen him and bring him to health. Patrick’s mother, Elena, who gave birth to Patrick via C-section following a high-risk pregnancy, stayed over most nights since December in one of the new boarder rooms, which were designed for NICU mothers who do not want to be separated from their babies. As it turned out, said Elena, the Hospital cared for her too, as well as her husband Juan, who are both first-time parents. Each day, the staff came together to make sure Patrick had everything he needed to strengthen his body so that he could soon go home, and that his parents had what they needed to strengthen their spirits for the long days and nights of vigilance, guarded optimism, and waiting.
Last month, strong and healthy at six-and-a-half-pounds, Patrick finally went home with his parents, to begin a life that will undoubtedly bring many more triumphs ahead. We wish them all the best!
The Journal News covered the Anes family’s story just the other week in a special Sunday section. You can read the article here.