8 October 2024

I am running for the Portsmouth Neonatal Intensive Care Unit because on the 24th of September 2023, the wonderful work of the consultants, doctors and nurses saved my sweet little Caleb.

What started out as a normal second pregnancy, albeit 10 years after my first; quickly spiralled into a whirlwind experience; full of beautiful highs and frightening lows. Little Caleb Roman Theodore was born 14 weeks too soon, on a chilly September morning – less than 7 hours after we had returned from a weekend away in Legoland.

The staff at QA labour ward alongside those from the NICU, were phenomenal at ensuring a safe and speedy retrieval of the most precious extremely premature baby boy. I was informed that it would be many hours before I could see and touch my miracle son. The NICU doctors informed my partner Reuben and I of the numerous anxiety provoking statistics. We tried with all our strength to ignore what would be a relentless journey of tears, laughter, and hope.

Caleb was placed into ITU One and was one of 2 teeny tiny babies on one side of the room. His tiny hands sprung up into the air with a jolt, as I was wheeled over to his incubator – a sight that would soon become the norm. The nurse in charge was brilliant – she put us at ease, explaining in a simple and caring way, what to expect and what each piece of equipment did, to support life. The staff provided us with a crash course in reading o2 saturation and heart rates – to recognise apnoea’s and when to call for support.

Each day, for 63 days – I watched my little boy thrive, in the face of adversity. With each and every challenge that came his way – he fought through it with fierce determination – supported by the dedication, expertise and care of each and every staff member on the NICU ward. We were kept well informed via various ward rounds; involved in every decision, movement, or change. For 63 days I watched in comfort, as nurses loved my little boy as if he were their own. I would not have mentally and emotionally survived those 63 days, if not for the wonderful NICU staff, who became a second family. A new unwanted life, that we suddenly became accustomed to.

They saved our previous Caleb and subsequently, they saved us from the despair, that so many face during the journey through NICU. They provided world class medical care but above all – genuine care, love, and support – that cannot be taught or bought.