Vim & Vigor - Summer 2013 - Gwinnett Medical Center - (Page 7)

Marking Milestones Precious resources are on hand locally for babies needing intensive care A VIDEO fter 13 years of marriage, Michael and Teresa Galloway had established a solid relationship built on faith, respect and sincerity. While developing greatly in their careers, they felt one thing was lacking: children. After some challenges, Teresa was pregnant—twin girls were due in late January 2013. As the ﬁrst trimester progressed normally, they dreamed of late-night snuggles with their babies, butterﬂy kisses, smiles and giggles. But early in the second trimester, August 2012, one of Teresa’s two waters broke and one twin, Gabrielle, was lost. To save the remaining baby, Teresa was put on bed rest in the high-risk pregnancy unit at Gwinnett Medical Center–Lawrenceville’s Gwinnett Women’s Pavilion. The days were long, but she was provided the care that she knew her baby needed. At the beginning of week 24, Teresa’s second water broke, adding more worries. She remained on bed rest and took other precautions to try to keep the baby from coming so early. At week 25, during a routine ultrasound, the doctors noticed a prolapsed umbilical cord. This meant the More About GMC’s Amazing NICU See patients telling their own stories about GMC’s NICU. Visit gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/stories. The Beads of Courage program came about as a way for pediatric oncology patients to tell their stories of courage during their treatment. In December 2010, the Women’s Pavilion at Gwinnett Medical Center became the first neonatal intensive care unit in the nation to adopt the program. All babies born prior to 34 weeks’ gestation are given a string and beads to spell their first name. Then, for every experience, trial and milestone (such as first bath and first feeding) the baby has, he or she receives an additional bead. Some of the smallest premature babies, whom GMC neonatologists call micro-preemies, end up with a thousand beads or more. For the parents, it’s something to hold on to, to represent their child. Beginning with a turtle bead, on admission to the NICU, and ending with a dove bead when the baby goes home, the strand represents a journey their parents won’t ever forget. Teresa Galloway, whose baby, Morgan, was born at 25 weeks, marked many traditional milestones with beads, too. Every family organizes their beads differently, for a personal touch. “I organize Morgan’s beads by days,” she says. “But the beads symbolize more to us. They represent challenges we faced, and loving support.” oxygen and blood necessary to sustain the baby’s life could be diminished or cut off altogether. It was life-threatening to the baby, and doctors were forced to deliver her early. CRITICAL ISSUES Weighing a mere 1 pound, 8 ounces, Morgan Faith Gabrielle Galloway came into the world on Oct. 19, 2012. With Teresa out of the high-risk pregnancy unit, both parents then visited GMC’s Level III neonatal intensive care unit. As a Level III NICU, the unit provides the highest level of care for babies like Morgan. > SUMM ER 2013 7 http://www.gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/stories

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Summer 2013 - Gwinnett Medical Center

Vim & Vigor - Summer 2013 - Gwinnett Medical Center
Contents
Phil’s Feature
ACL Double Take
Saving the Littlest Lives
The Ultimate Backto- School Checklist
Join the Movement
Stroke Stories
5 Steps to Better Bone Health
Gut Instinct
Morgan Freeman
Prostate Playbook
The Main Ingredient
Looking Ahead
Virtual Health
PrimeTime Health
Delivered from Devastation
A Big Reason to Smile
Out of the White Coat
Transforming Healthcare

Vim & Vigor - Summer 2013 - Gwinnett Medical Center