Anyone whoB次元官网网址檚 ever had a child knows how even a healthy newborn can feel overwhelming.

But when that new baby is taken to intensive care, the intensity of emotions are almost impossible for most of parents to imagine.

For Dustan and Kerri Roberts, itB次元官网网址檚 an experience they know all too well. Their 17-month-old daughter Abbygail spent her first three months B次元官网网址� 155 days B次元官网网址� in the hospitalB次元官网网址檚 neonatal intensive care unit.

Having a sick newborn was only half the struggle for the family. They were also mourning the loss of AbbygailB次元官网网址檚 twin, who passed away eight days after being born.

Throughout AbbygailB次元官网网址檚 stay at the NICU, the staff not only helped care for the child, but they were there for her parents too.

B次元官网网址淭hey really helped with mental support,B次元官网网址� said the father.

Last week, the Roberts brought their daughter back to Victoria General Hospital, but this time it was to celebrate.

They joined other families who have experienced life in the NICU. The hospital hosted its 28th annual neonatal intensive care reunion party, Aug. 9.

All of the parents and grandparents bonded with each other and the hospital staff were able to see their former sick patients thrive.

Those staff helped build some wonderful memories for the Roberts family, including AbbygailB次元官网网址檚 first party.

B次元官网网址淥n her 100th day in the NICU, I came in and Abbygail was wearing a princess crown. They are our milestones, but not normal milestones,B次元官网网址� said Kerri. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really great to see everyone again.B次元官网网址�

Dozens of past NICU patients filled the VGH rooftop with their families, some young patients recently discharged and others in their 20s. But the emotional day is also a special one for the staff.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just so encouraging to see the big kids,B次元官网网址� said Dr. Connie Harris, NICU pharmacist. B次元官网网址淲hen we first meet parents in the NICU they are frightened and confused.B次元官网网址�

The reunion party is a reminder to Harris and other hospital staff about how their tiny patients grow up and lead fulfilling lives. Harris points out itB次元官网网址檚 tough to see tiny sick babies and this party allows staff to see the positive outcomes.

It wasnB次元官网网址檛 that long ago when Shaylene Evans gave birth to her daughter Aryonna with a birth weight of three pounds, two ounces.

B次元官网网址淪he was three months early,B次元官网网址� Evans explained quietly. B次元官网网址淚 had a lot of bawling sessions.B次元官网网址�

The young mother lives in Ladysmith and was able to stay in Victoria to visit her daughter daily through a donation made by the Help Fill a Dream Foundation. She stayed at the Easter Seal House in Victoria and took two buses to the hospital.

B次元官网网址淚 never missed a day,B次元官网网址� Evans said. Dealing with a newborn with a collapsed lung and seizures was a lot for the mother, but she said the care her daughter received from the NICU staff was amazing.

While her daughter Aryonna has grown into a healthier 18 pound baby, she lives with a chronic lung disease and needs to use two inhalers everyday.

Other than coming to the hospital to celebrate her daughterB次元官网网址檚 achievements, Evans also came to help another family.

SheB次元官网网址檚 meeting a couple whose baby is currently in the NICU with the same lung disease. Evans came to give them support and share her experiences.

No matter how long the stay in the NICU, itB次元官网网址檚 a tough time for any parent to go through.

Robyn CoppB次元官网网址檚 daughter, Shonagh, spent 11 days in the hospital, after being born six weeks early.

Now a happy, healthy nine-and-a-half-year-old, she has no recollection of the tough start she had in life. But for her mother, the memories havenB次元官网网址檛 faded. B次元官网网址淚t was such a scary time,B次元官网网址� recalled Copp, smiling at her daughter beside her. B次元官网网址淪he was kind of like a half baked cookie.B次元官网网址�

charla@goldstreamgazette.com