Any parent who has had a baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit understands the emotional roller coaster that each day can bring. Good news can quickly be followed up with a new complication, and little can be done to alleviate misplaced guilt. It's no wonder then, that Dr. Scott Mutchler of a North Dakota hospital describes Trevor Frolek's time in the NICU as a "non-stop screaming ride."
Born at 23 weeks, and weighing only 1 lb. 6 oz, Trevor needed constant attention, and multiple surgeries. While the staff worked tirelessly and parents prayed, Trevor grew stronger. While there are still many risks for preterm babies, babies even as small as Trevor now have between a
60 and 90% chance of survival. Still, none of it would be possible without the dedication of the entire team.
After nearly a year in the NICU, it was a bitter-sweet moment to send Trevor home on July 25. Like surrogate parents, nurses watched over Trevor's growth, and worried about him when they went home. He had become a real presence in their lives. No greater reward for their efforts could be had than seeing him go home with his family, but surely he will be missed.
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