The mood was decidedly celebratory outside Jeneece Place on Aug. 11.

Dozens of young children B次元官网网址� many of them B次元官网网址済raduatesB次元官网网址� of Victoria General HospitalB次元官网网址檚 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) B次元官网网址� played, laughed, ate and met up with some old friends and caregivers as the facility hosted its 32nd annual reunion party, which reunites nurses, physicians and staff with former patients and parents.

The event, which also sees families connect with others in similar situations, has become an important event for many.

Saanich resident Kerri Roberts says the nursing staff at the NICU is like family after what she and her daughter went through. Roberts gave birth to twin girls, Abbygail and Claire, just over 24 weeks into her pregnancy. The premature birth was the result of an infection that Keri contracted.

Despite some early positive signs B次元官网网址� the babies were surprisingly both crying immediately after their birth B次元官网网址� complications soon arose. Claire, the slightly younger twin, was born feet first and a lot sicker than her sister.

B次元官网网址淸She] had a lot of bruising and things like that. She was a lot sicker with the infection so she was only able to survive for eight days,B次元官网网址� Roberts said.

Abbygail, now five, spent 155 days in the NICU before being released. She struggled with her breathing and required a ventilator for two months. In turn, this caused her retinas to detach.

After numerous surgeries, Abbygail now has light and dark vision in her left eye and central vision in her right.

B次元官网网址淣ow sheB次元官网网址檚 healthy, we donB次元官网网址檛 see the respiratory therapists anymore and sheB次元官网网址檚 heading into kindergarten,B次元官网网址� said Roberts, who makes it a priority to bring her daughter to the reunion every year. B次元官网网址淚 canB次元官网网址檛 not come, because itB次元官网网址檚 the only time I get to see everybody every year and thank them that we got to bring her home.B次元官网网址�

Langford resident Erin Sutherland also endured pregnancy complications, giving birth to twins Jaxson and Maddix after 32 weeks. An emergency C-section was needed because of an ailment in ErinB次元官网网址檚 kidneys.

The twins, who celebrated their first birthday earlier this month, had a rare condition called twin-twin transfusion syndrome. In simple terms, Jaxson was taking more than his share of the nutrients in their motherB次元官网网址檚 womb.

He would need two weeks in the NICU because of a heart valve issue, while his brother, just three pounds and 11 ounces at birth, was there for three weeks before he could be released.

B次元官网网址淚t was nerve-wracking, because the whole time they were worried about Maddix because he was so small,B次元官网网址� Sutherland said.

With her babies now happy and healthy, she also anticipates attending the reunion on an annual basis. B次元官网网址淭he [nurses and doctors] were amazing. It was a very stressful time and they helped me feel comfortable,B次元官网网址� she said.

The day is not only special for parents, who are grateful to have seen their kids graduate from the NICU, but also the hospital staff, who get to see the children grow up from year to year.

Nurse Lisa Roe has spent the last decade working in the unit and said the annual event at Jeneece Place is her favourite day of the year.

B次元官网网址淭hese kids, theyB次元官网网址檙e so incredible. TheyB次元官网网址檙e such fighters,B次元官网网址� she said.

B次元官网网址淭hey battle through the odds to come through and then to see them come back and to have done so well B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 the best.B次元官网网址�

For Roberts and daughter Abbygail, Aug. 11 was extra special as it marked five years since the youngsterB次元官网网址檚 release from the NICU.

B次元官网网址淓very year we tell her that we go to this party because we celebrate when you got to come home from the hospital,B次元官网网址� Roberts said.

joel.tansey@goldstreamgazette.com