Owen Holmquist
Owen was our third child and my wife and I felt like we were old pros at having babies. It wasn’t long after Owen’s birth that all changed. The delivery went really smooth, and my wife and I thought Owen looked perfect. It was only about ten minutes after the delivery that one of the nurses noticed Owen’s shallow breathing and was worried about his lack of crying.
She did not panic, but took him to a separate room to keep a closer eye on him. We really did not think anything of it at the time and thought he would be fine. Instead of getting better, his breathing got worse and they moved him into the NICU at Baptist South where they decided to place him on a small amount of oxygen to help him breathe a little easier.
At this point we started to get worried but still felt like he was going to be fine. The next day every time we checked on him he was on more and more oxygen. That night it really got bad and we (prepared for the worst) got the talk from the Doctor that no parent wants to hear.
The Doctors decided it was in Owen’s best interest to be transported to Wolfson Children’s Hospital where he could get better treatment. The next morning they loaded Owen in the rescue and transported him to Wolfson’s NICU. Those fIrst few days were days we don’t like to remember.
Owen was placed on an oscillator at 100% and he was given multiple blood transfusions. He was also given antibiotics for infection. The nurses always seemed positive and would talk with him like he was a normal baby. It seemed like when we were not at the NICU we were on the phone with the NICU.
They never seemed bothered to answer questions or just tell us there was no change in his condition. One day we called and they told us that the doctors lowered his oxygen level and that we should come up there. I will never forget walking into the NICU and hearing Owen cry. That was the best sound in the world and my wife and I both filled up with tears. The nurses were laughing at us and saying that only NICU parents get excited to hear their baby cry.
Owen continued to get better as fast as he got sick. It was never known what caused Owen’s respiratory distress, but he is a healthy 13-month-old baby today with no problems. We truly believe that Prayers and Wolfson’s NICU saved Owen and we will always be grateful.
Robert and Melissa
Owen’s Parents
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