Old Guest Book
Holden Grads
| Name: | Brenda Sax |
| E-mail address: | brendasax@email.com |
| Comments: | On May 4,2005 my little miracles will be FIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ben and
Marla were born at 26 weeks and have beat all the odds! They are doing
fabulous! They are best friends one minute and enemies the next so there
is never ever a dull moment in our house!!!!!! I just wanted to let all
the Moms and Dads of preemies to know that through love and support
preemies can surpass all your expectations! Ben and Marla continue to
amaze me each and every day! If anyone needs someone to chat with who has
been through all the ups and downs of preemie parenting, please feel free
to write to me. I would be happy to help you in any way I can!
Brenda |
| Name: | Jodi Reeves ( Hope and Faith ) |
| E-mail address: | onyxandboo@comcast.net |
| Comments: | Hello to all at Holden and all our friends! Hope and Faith (Oct 2003 - Feb 2004) are 18 months old now and doing very well. Hope is running around the house, terrorizing the cats and getting into everything. She's developmentally right on track and seems to be a very smart little girl. Faith is still quite small (just 16 lbs.) but is almost walking now. She cruises around the furniture and crawls when she needs to move quickly. She's been off oxygen and most of her meds since August and had her hernia repair last Oct. Her new belly-button looks great! She gets lots of physical therapy and is impressing her therapists with all her progress. Her hydrocephalus is stable, and she remains shunt-free. We can't wait until the reunion in June to see everyone! We'll stop by Holden on May 5 after Faith's nerosurg. checkup. Hope to see you soon! Love, Jodi, Hope and Faith |
| Name: | Stella Bailey |
| E-mail address: | amy@ebaileys.com |
| Comments: | Hi everyone! I spent the first week of my life in Holden, waiting to have my open-heart surgery (Norwood). I received such loving care in Holden -- I was even baptized there! I'm now 18 months old, and keeping my mom, dad and big sister busy. Thanks to all the doctors and nurses who took such good care of me! |
| Name: | Daniel Sharp |
| E-mail address: | msharp@netpenny.net |
| Comments: | I am a 1993 Holden Grad!! My name is Danny Sharp. In just a couple of weeks I will be 12 years old. I'm very active in 4-H and love being in the outdoors. I will be starting Junior High in the fall, my Mom says I can't cause I'm still 1 pound 12 ounces!!! I guess I've grown up too fast for her! I try to stay in contact with some of the nurses at Holden, like Sue Gibney and Sue Gauss, HI SUE'S...if you see this. Well take care everyone, Dan Sharp |
| Name: | Tabatha |
| E-mail address: | shelausjus123@sbcglobal.net |
| Comments: | Thank you for sending me the newletter can you tell me more about
scrapbooking program. thank you Tabatha Obuch please emial me shelausjus123@sbcglobal.net or call (734)-761-8375 about it thank you |
| Name: | The Becker Family |
| E-mail address: | Lilangel4_9_00@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | Hi Everyone! Our precious gift Raleigh Wayne Becker was born on December 19, 2004. I was 26 weeks long. He was supposed to be born March 27, 2005 but because of a planned c-section He was going to be born March 20, 2005. He spent 3 months and 2 days in Holden NICU. He is doing good except for having gastroesophageal reflux disease. We are currently at U of M on the 6th floor of Mott Children's Hospital. He weighed 1Lb. 15oz. at birth and was 13 inches long. He has a 5 year old sister who was also born premature. They are both doing good now. Feel free to e mail us with any questions, comments, or concerns you may have. |
| Name: | Christopher Pall |
| Comments: | Matthew was born on March 29th, 2005 and is still in the NICU but is getting better as time goes by. We are so thankful for everything that has been done for him and look forward to bringing him home! |
| Name: | Rachael Richmond |
| E-mail address: | rachael.richmond@ntlworld.com |
| Comments: | My miracle was born on 7th October 2004 He wasn't due till 18th january 2005 Ben was born at 25 weeks He weighed 1lb 10ounces My boy is a miracle because I'd waitied for him for 8 years going through IVF was difficult not knowing if the treatment would work. It did and I couldn't beleive I was pregnant and then Ben was born 15 weeks early. he's 5months old now and weighs 10lb 1ounce, he's still on home oxygen but I don't care because he's home with me. I'd love to speak to someone else who's had a prem baby All I can say is he's the best thing in the world and has fought through so much. I'm lucky to have him and will cherish every day. |
| Name: | Jennifer Warfel |
| E-mail address: | jwarfel2@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | Hello, Our son Nathaniel was at Holden for 4 1/2 weeks (December 2002) after being transfered there from Toledo for overwhelming MRSA sepsis. He was on ECMO for 6 days and I can truely say if it was not for the love and special care he received whild at Holden he would not be here today. Now he is a very active and typical 2 year old, although he does have a speech delay. |
| Name: | Clay Reece |
| E-mail address: | Lreece@buckeye-express.com |
| Comments: | Hi everyone! It's Clay Reece. (August-December 03) I am just dropping a little note to let you know that I am doing great. I am now 16 months old and am the happiest kid around. I have now learned to army crawl and just love gettinginto all of my sisters toys. I am continuing with physical therapy and making huge strides. I still have my mom and dad wrapped around my finger. My mom nevers stops kissing me and is quick to inform me that she is the only woman ever allowed to fog up my glasses like she does. Geez mom, doesn't she know that chicks are going to just dig my ECMO scar? Thanks everyone, we hope to visist soon! Clayster |
| Name: | Rick Jasinski |
| E-mail address: | rstwins@comcast.net |
| Comments: | Father of Lauren and Jessica, a Holden Grad from Feb 2002. |
| Name: | Conor Waterman |
| E-mail address: | watermad@saline.k12.mi.us |
| Comments: | Hi Everyone! I'm a healthy 31/2 year old boy who loves to read, play with trucks and hang out with his friends. I scared my mommy and daddy when I was born at 27 weeks. I weighed only 2lbs. 9oz and I had to be on oxygen for awhile. I was in Holden for the entire summer of 2001. The doctors and nurses were wonderful and I'm forever thankful. I wear inserts in my shoes because my feet pronate but I'm getting stronger day be day. I also wear glasses. I used to throw my glasses off my face when I was little but now I ask my mommy to put my glasses on my face. I 'm a big Michigan fan so I'll just sign off by saying, "Go Blue." Conor Waterman |
| Name: | Jesse Simpson |
| E-mail address: | lbsimpson99@sbcglobal.net |
| Comments: | Well, it's been just over a year since Jesse came home from Holden.
After 14 1/2 weeks there, it was an adjustment to have him at home, but so
wonderful! Thank you, thank you to all the wonderful docs and nurses. We
wouldn't have Jesse if it weren't for you. Thank you so much for all the
kindness and support through our roller coaster ride. Special thanks to
Kari Showers and Dana Goldsmith,who always gave Jesse the benefit of the
doubt and gave him everything he needed. Jesse took his first steps on Aug
13th, just shy of 15 months. He now toddles around the house, finding
trouble wherever he can. It's a good thing he has his own personal
gaurdian angel to watch over him. He weighs almost 20lbs, about 14 1/2
pounds heavier than when he left Holden. Thanks again to everyone and
we'll be seeing you soon! It's great to here the Navarette triplets are doing so well. Kim, keep in touch. The Simpsons Lisa, Brian, and Jesse (born at 26 weeks, 1lb 13 1/2 oz) |
| Name: | KYLE PRITULA |
| E-mail address: | KAHUXLEY@AOL.COM |
| Comments: | I HAVE TWO GRADS FROM HOLDEN MY DAUGHTER LILLY AND SON WILLIAM. BORN
IN 1987 AND 1990 RESPECTFULLY. OUR TIME IN HOLDEN WE WILL NEVER FORGET.
THE DOCTORS AND NURSES WERE UNBELIEVABLE IN THEIR KINDNESS AND EXPERTISE
IN THEIR FIELD. LILLY HAD CANDIDA AND THINKS WERE TOUCH AND GO FOR A WHILE BUT THE SKILL AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE STAFF PREVAILED AND SHE CAME THROUGH IT. MY CHILDREN ARE NOW ALMOST 17 AND ALMOST 14 YEARS OLD AND HAVE HAD A NORMAL LIFE.LILLY HAD ROP BUT SHE DRIVES AND HAS BEEN CORRECTED IN HER VISION TO 20/40.QUITE A MIRACLE WHEN YOU CONSIDER HER BIRTH IN 1987 WAS A TIME WHEN THEY WERE JUST DISCOVERING CRYOTHERAPY.WE WERE NOT AWARE THERE HAVE BEEN HOLDEN REUNIONS UNTIL THIS YEAR AND UNFORTUNATELY COULD NOT ATTEND BUT PLAN ON BEING THERE NEXT YEAR. THANKS YOU HOLDEN STAFF FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE FOR OUR CHILDREN. SINCERELY BILL AND KYLE PRITULA |
| Name: | Jodi Reeves (Hope and Faith) |
| E-mail address: | onyxandboo@comcast.net |
| Comments: | Hello to everyone! The twins are now 10 months old and doing great!
Hope is crawling like a speed demon and standing up holding on to things-
she really keeps me running! Faith has not yet caught up to her sister;
we're working on sitting up unassisted and today she rolled over for the
first time! Faith's large hernia is scheduled to be repaired early
October; hopefully that will help with the motor skills and trunk
stability. Faith is finally weaning off oxygen - she only wears it at
night now. Faith weighs 13 lbs 3oz and Hope weighs in at a whopping 17
lbs! She loves to take all her sister's toys and uses her greater size to
do it. Both girls tested positive for Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome and have
lots of screening tests every 3 months, so we still see a lot of doctors
and specialists. But that's okay - the fact that they're here is a miracle
to me, and we owe it all to the amazing staff at Holden NICU. We were
there for 3 months and went through alot. without all the excellent care
we never would have made it ( and it wasn't just the girls who got cared
for - they took care of me as well ) " Thank you" will never be adequate to express how we feel about the Holden staff. If there is anyone out there from Holden alumni who has children with Beckwith-Wiedemann, I'd love to hear from you. Also, the reunion was great! Thanks to all of you who planned and organized this event. We can't wait 'till next year! Love to all, Jodi, Hope and Faith |
| Name: | Timothy (VanGorden) Clark |
| E-mail address: | luckyrenea@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | Hi Everyone!! I miss everyone so much! Thank you for taking such good care of me and placing me into your hearts and thoughts (even to this day)! I spent the first 5 months of my life with you and I couldn't have asked for more love and attention, than I got from all of the staff in Holden. I is always remember the swing that I spent most of my time in (unless one of the nurses was holding me). You were all so great to my mom. She made a very special friendship with my great primary nurse, Dana Goldsmith. I love coming and visiting everyone at Holden! I know for a long time everyone didn't think I was going to make it, and with out all of you, I wouldn't have. But look at me now, I am 10 months old. I have caught up on all of my developmental stages that I missed out on in the hospital and am perfectly healthy! I love Holden!! |
| Name: | Carolyn McCarthy |
| E-mail address: | carolyn@imagineography.com |
| Comments: | To all the families at the Holden Reunion: Thank you very much for the the opportunity to share your wonderful celebration. I thoroughly enjoyed photographing your special event. Throughout the day I saw so much happiness, love and dedication between families, friends and staff. Many of the photos you will see are closeups of the children and families. I wanted to capture all the smiles and joy I saw in the the faces that day. Steve Trembath and I are working together to post the photos to the website by next weekend. If you would like to contact me directly, I can assist you in viewing your particular photos sooner. Once again, thank you. Carolyn McCarthy Photography By Carolyn McCarthy Photographing Families with Special Needs |
| Name: | brenda miller |
| E-mail address: | bslomovi@med.umich.edu |
| Comments: | I've received requests for the photographer's phone number who was at
the reunion. Her name is Carolyn McCarthy and her phone number is
734-355-6993. We'll hope to have photos from the reunion up soon. |
| Name: | Lisa Reece |
| E-mail address: | Lreece@buckeye-express.com |
| Comments: | Ok ok ok I am so impatient i know but i was wondering when the pictures would be posted from the reunion. The woman took some great ones and she said that they would be available to order online? I would love to! Thanks everyone for a great time! Lisa |
| Name: | Gail Ballor |
| E-mail address: | kayl2e@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | When my twins were in the NICU, our family was treated very nice! It was great to see how the nurses took such good care of our girls. We really appreciated it! THANKS! |
| Name: | brenda miller |
| E-mail address: | brendamiller@comcast.net |
| Comments: | Hi all, We've had some technical difficulties in updating the website and I left some important info off the newsletter. Here are the directions to Kensington. The reunion is from 2-6pm, with the Gemini concert at 4pm. Please bring a picnic meal. Directions: Kensington Metropark is located on 1-96, just east of US 23. Take Kent Lake Rd. exit #153 to the park. Follow the Holden Family Reunion signs to the North Martindale Beach area. Entrance fee is $4 per car or $20 for an annual Metroparks sticker. |
| Name: | Navarette Tripletts |
| E-mail address: | kimnavarette@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | We just received the notice about the June Reunion. We are going to
try to attend if possible! Grace, Gabriel, and Sophia are all doing
fantastic!! They weigh-in around 16-17 lbs. and have no major issues.
Sophia was our first crawler (2 weeks ago) soon to be followed by Grace.
Gabriel is content to sit back and watch all the action! We are very
excited to svisit with all of the wonderful friends we made while at
Holden. The kids have all shocked their Doctors with their remarkable
progress. Can't wait to see everyone in 2 weeks! P.S. We have been very curious how baby Jesse Simpson is doing. If Lisa reads this, please email me at kimnavarette@hotmail.com Kim & Rob Navarette Grace, Gabriel, Sophia born 8-11-03 at 27 weeks 2 days 2# 3oz, 2# 3oz, 1# 15oz |
| Name: | Trevor Lowell Grossett {Earl} |
| E-mail address: | aearl@chartermi.net |
| Comments: | Hello everyone. I to would like information about the ECMO picnic in
July. I have not recieved anything about it. My little guy is a 2001
graduate from Holden and was on ECMO for 14 days. He is now 3 1/2 and
doing wonderful. I feel so very blessed to have him here with me everyday.
Thanks to the wonderful staff of Holden and the staff of ECMO he is a
vibrant and very active little boy today. You will forever be in the
hearts of me and my family. Thank you all Trevor and his mommy{Angela} |
| Name: | Lisa Reece |
| E-mail address: | Lreece@buckeye-express.com |
| Comments: | Hi would anyone who has any info on the ECMO reunion email me? We can't seem to find a date/place. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks! |
| Name: | Justine Viets-McLean |
| E-mail address: | dmcl@sover.net |
| Comments: | Hello to all our Holden Friends and Heroes... Eliza McLean (July26-August 31, 2001) says a big "HI" !! We plan to come to MI for the ECMO picnic in July, but we'll miss the Holden Party in June...we hope you all have fun and we'll certainly be thinking of you... |
| Name: | Shana (Darrell) |
| E-mail address: | badgley@ceicmh.org |
| Comments: | Our son Dylan was in Holden for only 2 weeks however he was on ECMO
for 6 days with complications from Group B strep that I tested negative
for at 36 weeks gestation. He was full term and over 8 pounds which I
think helped him in fighting. He is our little miricle ECMO baby. We are
so thankful to Holden, all the nurses and flight team for having and using
the technology to save his life. I feel forever grateful. We plan to
attend the picnic and hope to see some of our favorite staff persons.
Dylan is doing good, 5 months now and weighs over 17 pounds! He has the
croupe now which has been a scary thing for us. I would love to connect
with other ECMO moms/families!! Please feel free to email me! The badgleys |
| Name: | Tamura Goldberg |
| E-mail address: | tamural.goldberg@eds.com |
| Comments: | Hello-Hello!. Trevor Goldberg spent the first year of his life at Holden (among all of his guardian angels) He is a 2003 Grad of Holden/Mott and really looks forward to seeing all of his friends and Holden family at the picnic. Last year Trevor was sick, but he is stronger, walking, talking--well babbling, (for 2 hours a day he is off the vent and on 02). Yeah. He is a MONSTER and I love every minute of it..God Bless you all We miss you and love you. THE GOLDBERG FAMILY |
| Name: | Bradley McCormick |
| E-mail address: | Tkmccormick1@aol.com |
| Comments: | Hi everyone. Just wanted to send a note of thanks to everyone at Holden. I'm doing so great now, and I owe it to all of you. I'm 1&1/2 and doing great. I get into trouble all the time. Driving my mom and dad crazy. I'm over 20lbs and I've been walking since March. I can't wait to see everyone at the reunion in June. I had a great time last year and am looking forward to seeing everyone again. Gotta go. My mom needs to change my diaper. Boy, do I stink! See ya at the reunion. Bradley "muscles" McCormick. |
| Name: | Clay Reece |
| E-mail address: | Lreece@buckeye-express.com |
| Comments: | Hi everyone! Thanks for taking such great care of me during my stay in Holden. (August 03-December) Boy if i only wouldhave known how great the world was I wouldn't have pulled as many tricks as I did my first four months in Holden. My mom and dad just love to talk about how wonderful all of you are. I am making great progress at home. I am really getting good at pulling my sister's hair! Thanks everyone and we are really excited for the reunion next month. I will be the one in the MICHIGAN shirt. (well if mom dresses me anyway) Love, Clay Reece |
| Name: | Sjona |
| E-mail address: | michaela81298@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Our little daughter -MIchaela- died August 12, 1998, it was unexpected
and it was devastating to our little family. She died of Strep B
Complications due to PROM-Premature Rupture of Membranes. At that time, we
were first introduced to the horrible truth that there just wasn't
anything around when we needed it. Everything was happening so quickly!
Funeral, Plot, Casket, Autopsy, and on and on and on. The little things
that mean so much to a mommy go by the wayside. Beautiful soft clothes
that fit, a snuggly & warm blanket, just can't seem to found that
fast. People try to be loving, but don't understand and don't think of
those little things that make those last moments as special as possible
under the circumstances. I would have given ANYTHING at that time to be
able even to see my baby in the NICU. I wanted her alive, or at least a
little more time! Her death launched our business at least in our hearts! We want to be there for you or your loved one that is going through the devastation of a baby's death, or the little life struggling in the hospital isolette. Our hearts are with you in grief and in rejoicing. We love to hear about a little preemie who makes it! We pray that you never experience the sorrow of not being able to bring your precious baby home. http://babylinq.com/ |
| Name: | Amy Maiberger |
| E-mail address: | maibergers@comcast.net |
| Comments: | Our holden grad is Gabriel Maiberger! He is 5 1/2 years old now and doing WONDERFUL. He is the VERY proud big brother to Zoe, 16 mo. Gabe was born on August 23, 1998 and came home on Christmas Day that same year! God still does miracles and Gabe is just one of the millions of them. We always thank the Lord for the kindness and mercy He has shown us. -Matt, Amy, Gabriel and Zoe Maiberger |
| Name: | mugu |
| E-mail address: | mugu@magatony.com |
| Comments: | i dey brother! |
| Name: | Holly &Jeff Barsch |
| E-mail address: | mailto:jeff_b46@yahoo.com%20or%20holly_b46@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | Son Nathen was in the NICU 10-07-03 through 11-30-03. Doing very well. |
| Name: | Omoguy Job |
| E-mail address: | no_just_enter@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | Pls. brother,idon just do here. I am a reunion 1999 Bye Dangote Mumu |
| Name: | Deanna and Len Graham |
| E-mail address: | dlmgraham@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Hello to everyone I met in January 2003 at Holden and Ronald McDonald
House. It was wonderful meeting all of you as we helped each other cope. I
didn't know about the Reunion last summer, but we'll be there this summer.
I must admit that I don't remember anyone's name, but I'm sure I'm not
alone in that. My little man, Jack, was very sick and I could only focus
on him. The rest of that long month is a blur. However, through the many
miracles attributed to Holden, Jack is doing great! See you in June, Deanna, Len, Big Sister Melanie and our Jack! |
| Name: | Chrisy Oneal |
| E-mail address: | doneal@nls.net |
| Comments: | Our son Jack just turned 5 on January 5th 2004. He was in Holden for 3
months when he was born. The nurses and Doctors were wonderful. Without
you all, I don't know how my husband and I would have made it through all
the one steps forward and two steps back. Thank you all so much. I look
forward to seeing everyone at the picnic this year. The O'Neals |
| Name: | Brenda Bristle |
| E-mail address: | bristlefarms@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | Our holden grads, Marcy and Megan, just celebrated their 2nd birthday on January 5, 2004. Our girls were 8 weeks premature and were blessed by all of you at Holden for such wonderful care (for us parents, too.) The Holden NICU will always be highly regarded in our family. Keep us the GREAT work. |
| Name: | Brenda Bristle |
| E-mail address: | bristlefarms@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | Our holden grads, Marcy and Megan, just celebrated their 2nd birthday on January 5, 2004. Our girls were 8 weeks premature and were blessed by all of you at Holden for such wonderful care (for us parents, too.) The Holden NICU will always be highly regarded in our family. Keep us the GREAT work. |
| Name: | Justine McLean |
| E-mail address: | dmcl@sover.net |
| Comments: | My Holden Grad, Eliza McLean, has just learned to walk! She's thrilled! It is, of course, thrilling for us as well...she has come such a loooong way since her stay in Holden two and a half years ago. I am pleased to visit this new website and look forward to staying in touch with Holden. Your place in our hearts remains. |
| Name: | Lisa Reece |
| E-mail address: | Lreece@buckeye-express.com |
| Comments: | We did it! We did it! We are finally HOlden Grads! After 4 very long months we were able to bring our little miracle home yesterday. Holden is an amazing place filled with amazing people. The medical care is wonderful and the staff is like no other. We are so greatful for everything everyone did for us. It was the hugs and pats on the back that got us through. Thankyou everyone for making our Christmas wish come true! |
| Name: | Trevor Lowell Grossett( Earl) |
| E-mail address: | aearl@chartermi.net |
| Comments: | Hi everyone. I was unable to attend the reunion due to Trevor being
sick. But I am hopeful to come to next years reunion. I have lost contact
with a few friends I met in Holden, one of them is Tracy Wentz. I seen a
picture of her from the reunion and I would love to talk to her and see
how well her little graduate iis doing. If anyone knows how i can contact
her please feel free to email me. Thank You. And to everyone at Holden,
keep up the great work you will never know how appreciated you truly are.
Trevor and family |
| Name: | Mike Pierce |
| E-mail address: | ecmodad@msn.com |
| Comments: | Thank you Holden Hospital and ECMO staff for the wonderful gift you gave us in saving our daughter's life. The world would not be the same without her. GO ECMO!! |
| Name: | Beth |
| E-mail address: | shiningstar331@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Hi! I am a senior in high school, in January '03 my baby brother Bret was at Holden for ECMO. And it saved his life. I can not thank all the nurses and everyone there for saving my precious little brother. He's growing so much and doing so much better! Although I was only able to visit him twice, I know there were many other babies that recieved the same great treatmant and care! And I have never been to a hospital where the parents, families, nurses and doctors were so wonderful. My mom was so relieved when she visited and so reassured with the care he recieved. It was a rough month for our family and I just wanted to thank all the nurses and doctors, I hope the other patients there are doing as well as Bret! |
| Name: | Lenore |
| E-mail address: | lenore_fincher@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Hello Everyone! I am a NICU nurse in a very large unit in Atlanta. I am trying to start a program I call the "Parent Advocate" in our unit. I want to help ease the frustration that parents with babies in Special Care Nursery face. I also want to give them more of a voice in the care of their baby and to educate them on the rationale behind why we do what we do. I think I became impassioned about this when I delivered a 25 week IUGR daughter in April. She only lived for 3 precious hours but I crossed the line from nurse to mom and I can't go back. Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas how to help or educate parents of special care babies? What did you or do you want to know about the care of yours? Thanks ...Lenore |
| Name: | SALLY SAVLEY |
| E-mail address: | SALLYS@CATPA.COM |
| Comments: | MY GRANDSON WAS BORN 8-31-03 AT 27 WEEKS HE WEIGHS 1# 13 OZ. I WAS LOOKING FOR PEOPLE IN THE SAME SITUATION. |
| Name: | PaulaGloberson |
| E-mail address: | paulag@med.umich.edu |
| Comments: | I wored at Holden NICU in 1981-1984. It was a great time. I recently had the pleasure of going to the newer unit and seeing alot of changes and advances in care. I have stayed at the University and became a Nurse anesthetist and work in the Main OR. I attribute my training in Holden in helping me attain my current position, including be one of the first nurses working with Dr. Robert Bartlett on his ECMO project. I always will remember the dedicated nurse , doctors, and respiratory people I had the privilege to work with, and most important all the babies and their families. I enjoy sites heralding the wonderful work being accomplishe at Holden. Fondly, Paula Globerson CRNA |
| Name: | Christi Urbany |
| E-mail address: | mxt357@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | Hi there! I just wanted to say hello to everyone. My baby girl was born at 25 wks gestation and transferred to Holden at 5 wks of age for heart surgery.And there she remained for the for the (LONG) duration of her stay. I'm positive that all the nurses who cared for her, and even those who didn't care for her directly, would remember her name...they called her "Naughty Noddy". Of course that's not really her name. It is Nadia Marie Urbany(lastname now Taylor).She weighed only 685 grams at birth(1 lb 8 oz.) and was 12 inches long.But she sure did give all you nurses a few "heart attacks huh? She was one of those little ones that like to pull their resperator tube out on every hour!ha ha Well, i'de like to thank you all for being so great with her and ALL those babies there every day. Nadia is now a happy (mischevious too) 14 month old.She is still very small~weighing in at a mere 16 pounds now. And she still hasn't gotten the grasp on walking yet, but she will soon . trust me, she's almost there. Just holding on by the fingertips now ! As you remember, she had to come home on O2.We thought that it would only be for a month or so, but she had to stay on it until she was 10 months old.We tried taking her off it several times, but she just couldn't handle it.But she is happy for sure that it's all gone now! But anyhow, again, i just wanted to say thank you all from the bottom of my heart..and "daddy's" heart too, thank you soooo much for loving our baby ! tell blonde jenny that we said "hi". sincerely, Christi and Nadia |
| Name: | Kirsten Parr-Matthews |
| E-mail address: | dbkirsten@aol.com |
| Comments: | Hi— It was great seeing everyone at the reunion. Our 29 weekers Phoebe (1#12oz) and Daphne (2# 4 oz.) had great fun. Wish I would have had more time to talk with EVERYONE. Next Year. I have a question to throw out there. Our daughter, Daphne, has spastic bi/triplegia (CP). We are going to have a Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) performed to help with her spasticity. Has anyone out there had one done at UM? I would love to talk to you about your experience! Thanks, Kirsten |
| Name: | Carinitha Fisher |
| E-mail address: | carinith@med.umich.edu |
| Comments: | I had a babay girl by the name of Taylor Marie Fisher on 5/10/03 weighting 5 pds 3 oz at birth she was 5 weeks early and was diagnosed with (NEC). I was scared to death and the thought of losing my baby after being on total bedrest with an incompetent cervix for 6 months of the pregnancy was devasting. She was in Holden for 18 days and the care that she received was exceptional and the nurses and doctors were amazing at what they do. The experience was hard and rocky at times but it was the staff and the others that were going through the same things we were that got us through it. I missed the reunion this year but I now have a graduate that is 2 months old and weights 9 lbs 12 oz and doing just wonderful and will attend the next reunion for sure. I'm am very much interested in volunteering for anything that I can do to help. |
| Name: | Jennifer LaMont |
| E-mail address: | JBKLAMONT@aol.com |
| Comments: | I just wanted to thank everyone again. You did a wonderful job with our 2 sons. Kevin James born on 11-13-01 and Dylan Daniel born on 5-6-03. The support we got from the staff was more than we could have asked for. The nurses and doctors acted as if they cared as much about our kids as we do. THANK-YOU SO MUCH. The boys are doing great, just getting big to fast. THE LaMONT Family |
| Name: | Chris and Karen Danke |
| E-mail address: | chriskaw@earthlink.net |
| Comments: | Our twin sons Jacob and Zachary were born after a particularly
difficult pregnancy at only 34 weeks on Saturday, May 3rd, 1997. Amazingly
enough, Jacob was able to come home just 3 days later weighing only 3 lbs
14 oz, his brother Zach was more content to stay in Holden for a little
while longer. Zach stayed with the staff at Holden for 17 days (it seems
like such a short time now, but as all of you know at the time it seemed
like FOREVER!) until he had mastered at the 'suck-swallow-breathe' thing.
One of our favorite pictures we love to show family and friends was taken
by the Holden staff. Since Zach was in Holden over mother's day, the staff
took a poloroid picture of him and created a mother's day card for me.
They posed him next to a little bunny we left in his bassenet. We still
have that picture and that bunny, it really puts in to perspective how
little the boys were (the bunny is only 6 inches long and it's almost half
the size of Zach!) A year before our boys were born we experienced what it was like to go home from the hospital empty-handed when our first set of twins were born at only 21 weeks. Thank God for the staff at the University of Michigan Health Center for the care they gave us before, during and especially after the boys were born! |
| Name: | Ted, Pam & Parker Christoff |
| E-mail address: | christoff@modempool.com |
| Comments: | Our third child Parker was a Holden graduate January 2002. We thank God for all of you at Holden!Look forward to seeing you at the reunion. |
| Name: | Nicholas Popp |
| E-mail address: | mepopp@att.com |
| Comments: | This is Nicholas Popp and I was born almost a year ago on July 19,
2002 at 1 1b., 10 oz. at 29 weeks. I have been told many times how much of
a miracle I am by family and friends, but all I know is that I was given
really good care by the wonderful Doctors and Nurses at Holden Hospital.
I currently weigh 16 lbs. 4 oz. and continue to grow and develop. I just wanted to say "hello" and "thank you for everything." Hope see all my old friends at the picnic on June 29. |
| Name: | Bradley McCormick |
| E-mail address: | tkmccormick1@aol.com |
| Comments: | Just a note to say hi. I'm doing great. My mom & dad feed me lot's
and I now weigh 14lb 8oz & I'm 10 1/2 months old. Pretty good considering I only weighed 1lb 15 oz at birth. Hope to see all my roommates at the holden reunion. |
| Name: | Mary Harman |
| E-mail address: | mharma@tc3net.com |
| Comments: | Our youngest son, Sam, is a graduate of Holden weighing in on 07/19/93 at 28 weeks of 3lbs. 5oz. He spent 1-1/2 months in the NICU. Sam has spastic quad. cp; uses a w/c for mobility and is nonverbal. He had the baclofen pump implant at U of M on 06/01. He is seen through a few of the specialty clinics at U of M as well, including Physical Medicine and Rehab. Besides the cp, Sam is in excellent health. He now weighs 76lbs. He is the light of our lives and has worked very hard during his short life to be the happy little guy he is today. Sam is both determined and persistent. We are blessed to have him in our lives. We used to call him, "Sam-Sam, The Peanut Man"! |
| Name: | Sharon Rodriguez |
| E-mail address: | keyetech@aix.cc |
| Comments: | How do I find out more on this reunion? Our son, Rick Rodriguez was born at 25 weeks and 1# 8oz way back in Sept1983.He was released only 16 weeks later, merely a week after his due date! He just graduated high school and will be attending college this summer. We are eternally grateful. Thank you , Louie and Sharon Rodriguez |
| Name: | Angela and Victor Koch |
| E-mail address: | redrivertheatre@aol.com |
| Comments: | Our daughter Jennifer was a 29 week 1lb 13oz miracle born 10-15-96. We
owe the joy we experience every day to the staff at Holden. We presently
live in Texas and will not be able to attend the reunion this year but
please put us on the list for future reunions. Jennifer is a perfect
example of the miracles at Holden she plays piano, reads, sings and
dances. Thank you to all the staff. To those who have seen the video
"Sarah and Murphy visit the N.I.C.U" Jennifer played baby Michael.
Thanks to all Angie, Victor, and Jennifer |
| Name: | Tim and Amy |
| E-mail address: | Ageor01@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Our daughters Kathleen and Caroline were born at 33wks at U of M. We
were so fortunate to have access to a wonderful unit like Holden. They
cared for our daughters for more than 30 days till we could bring them
home, happy, healthy and thriving. Our heartfelt thanks to the entire
staff of Holden, we know you hear this over and over but you truely took
wonderful care of our most precious children. We thank you. ~Tim and Amy |
| Name: | Carmen L. Moore |
| E-mail address: | carmoor_48223@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | Hi My daughter Stacey was born 10/5/89, she weighted 1lb and 12 oz. She was my first child and I was scared to death. But the staff at Holden made a awful situation bearable. |
| Name: | Tamura Goldberg |
| E-mail address: | tamura.goldberg@eds.com |
| Comments: | Trevor is a recent Grad of Holden. Trevor spent the first 11 months of his life at U of M--born at 25 weeks 1 pound 7 ounces. The majority of it in Holden. The staff of Holden are all angels and we consider them family. They saved Trevor's life many times and we are blessed to have been sent to Ann Arbor. (I can say that now--but still "Go Green”) We can't wait for the reunion. There are some special families we made friends with and shed tears with along the way. Hopefully, we will get to see all of you and Give thanks together. PS. I'm looking for Brendan Woodard’s (sp) home address. They gave us a beautiful blanket and I have never been able to send a thank you. Love the Goldbergs |
| Name: | Lilly Pritula |
| E-mail address: | SnowflashLil@aol.com |
| Comments: | Hi! I am so excited to hear that wonderful people are setting up a reunion for Holden Grads. I am myself along with my brother holden grads. We were both in Holden NICU's for approx. 2 months each. I will be 16 in November and a junior in high school. Needless to say I would not be here today if not for the wonderful staff at holden hospital. When my brother was born he had about a 20% chance of living but once again my family was blessed by outstanding care by the teams of doctors.I cannot wait for the reunion. |
| Name: | Pam White |
| E-mail address: | a2pammie@comcast.net |
| Comments: | Betsy was (is?) Holdens smallest graduate. She weighed 1lb., 1oz., about 25 weeks gestation. Betsy was in Holden for 7 months. She's now 17 years old, in 11th grade in High School. She wants to be a writer. Does anyone remember "Ittsy-Bitsy Betsy?" We'll be at the reunion on the 29th |
| Name: | Andrea |
| E-mail address: | amfmaglione@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | Looking forward to the reunion. My son was in Holden for a VERY short time back in July of 2002. He is a healthy happy boy now, but it's only thanks to the GREAT staff at Holden. Can't wait to see all of you again on June 29th! |
| Name: | Joanne |
| E-mail address: | jdarr@provide.net |
| Comments: | I also have two Holden graduates. My oldest son was born at 32 weeks
and transfered from St. Joe's to the "old" Holden 22 years ago. He is a
very fine success graduate ( even if he is need of a haircut badly!!)He'll
be graduating from Northern Michigan University next year with a BA in
fine arts. He has done medical art work for a cancer article as well as
being commissioned to paint art murals on several hunting cabins up north.
The youngest became a Holden inductee 8 years ago, arriving at 26 weeks,
weighing 1#14 oz and 14 inches long. He had a bit more complicated Holden
stay and has spastic quad CP and other disabilities. He is however very
much a Holden success story. He continues to recieve his follow up care
through UM and we are looking forward to seeing all at the re-union.
Joanne |
| Name: | Grandma Work |
| E-mail address: | wnwork@tc3net.com |
| Comments: | Our first gradson was born at holden at 26 weeks premiture, he weighed 2lb. 11 oz. And I thak God everyday that he was a t Holden. He was born May 3, 1994. Tomarrow I will be attending his forth years on little leauge baseball he is now the youngest one on a 9, 10 , 11 and 12 year old teams. At Christmas time in the 3rd. grad he is doing 6th. grad reading. And at age 3 he was doing amazing things with math. And we owe it all to God creating the place and the people at Holden, who gave my daughter the strenght and knowledge to only look for the great things. When we come to the reuion we will bring picture of the reunions our groups, we are forwardering on the news leter to all. Oh, by the way My gradsons name is Austin Reynard and mom Kim. I signed Grandma Work because that is all anyone called me the whole 75 days. Se ya there. |
| Name: | Mary, Bob, Sara Matthew and Nicole |
| E-mail address: | mpalmeron@comcast.net |
| Comments: | Our twins, Matthew and Nicole, were born at 25 weeks and 5 days. They
just celebrated their sixth birthday and are doing well. There are so many
people to thank, but just a few are: Mary L., Janet, Eileen, Sue, Beth and
everyone else who made our dream come true. Thanks as see you in June.
Mary |
| Name: | Colleen Monroe |
| E-mail address: | monroestudio@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | I am the proud mom of Holden Twin Grads born at 29 weeks. They are now 7 and no one belivies how small they once were. We can never repay the debt of graditude we owe the Holden staff for helping us through our stay there. |
| Name: | Debrah Reid |
| E-mail address: | redmikeinmi@aol.com |
| Comments: | Hi, I am Debbie. Mom to Erin Marie. Erin was born at UMHS on March 31st, 1998. She was 13 weeks early and weighed 2 pounds seven ounces. She is now seven years old and doing great. I look forward to the reunion :) |
| Name: | Angie m. Cantu |
| E-mail address: | dcantu_us@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | sorry all hit the wrong button. My daughter Ann was born in September 1999 at 6 months and the nurses and Drs were great .We met some great people and will never forget them.They made our stay a little less scary. |
| Name: | Angie m. Cantu |
| E-mail address: | dcantu_us@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | hi all my daughter Ann was born at six months and we spent 81 days in nicu and all the nurses and Drs were great and they still love it when we come to visit , |
| Name: | Angie m. Cantu |
| E-mail address: | dcantu_us@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | hi all |
| Name: | Tanisha Smith |
| E-mail address: | tanisha_smith79@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | hi my son was 11 weeks eairly 2lbs 12oz,he stayed in holden for 6 weeks and the holden staff was wonderful to me and my family.i believe it is tanks to them that my son is as healthy and as smart as he is today.this july he will be 3yrs old i am a very lucky mommy thanx to all of you sincerely ms.tanisha smith |
| Name: | Barbara Wagner |
| E-mail address: | purphaze19@comcast.et |
| Comments: | This site is wonderful!! Can not wait for the reunion! My youngest son
Logan is a Holden Grad---he spent his first 54 days there in 1997 due to
CDH. The care he recieved in Holden can not be matched anywhere!! Logan is
almost 6 (May 15th) and no one believes what a rough start he had! THANK
YOU Holden Staff! We are looking forward to the reunion! Barbara Wagner |
| Name: | Karen and Tim Walsh |
| E-mail address: | timothywalsh99@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Our son Andrew was born in September 1998, 3 months early. Andrew spent 6 weeks at Holden and Mott's before he graduated in October 1998. He has CP, but doesn't let it hold him back. The reunion and website are great ideas. |
| Name: | Deborah Lindberg |
| E-mail address: | DMLindberg@aol.com |
| Comments: | Hi, I'm the mom of Hannah, a 2001 Holden Grad and now a happy and
healthy 2 year old. I'm putting together a "thank you" DVD for an
organization who has made numerous donations to the RM House and Holden in
our family's name once they'd found all the two places had done for my
daughter and our family. (I'll email you all more details if you wish). At
the end, I'd love to have a collage of pictures to show how their kindness
has helped MANY small children. If interested, could you email pics of
your babies, both during their Holden stay and now? I'm new to creating videos, if this project is successful I'd like to do it for the staff at Holden and RM House as well. Thanks, and hug those babies tight. Holden has really given us all the greatest gift we'll ever receive! Deborah |
| Name: | brenda miller |
| E-mail address: | bslomovi@med.umich.edu |
| Comments: | It sounds like saturday might be a better day for the reunion in the future. Thanks for the suggestion. What do other people feel about that? |
| Name: | brenda miller |
| E-mail address: | bslomovi@med.umich.edu |
| Comments: | I want to let everyone know that a Holden graduate parent, Steve
Trembath, designed the website. He did a beautiful job with this site and
also with the database that allowed the mailing to go out. If you did not receive the flyer, but would like to be on our mailing/email list, please write back to me at this address: administrator@holdengrads.com. It's been so great to read these entries. It's obvious that you appreciate the staff here, as I do. My daughter was born in Holden 9 years ago yesterday! She weighed 1 lb, 5 oz. and spent three months in here. Many staff members have told me that they plan to attend the reunion, so you'll be able to thank them in person. Thanks for your beautiful entries, Brenda Miller |
| Name: | Pat Beauchamp |
| E-mail address: | patbeau@chartermi.net |
| Comments: | Hi, Cory is my son and I'm so thankful for the staff at Holden for helping me through the toughest time of my life. His most recent surgery was in Oct of last year and he came through wonderfully. Thank you all for the wonderful start he had on his life, it's seen him through alot. We won't be able to make the reunion...maybe next time. I love the site, it's been a long time comming and I look forward to visiting often. Gratefully, Pat |
| Name: | Cory Gibbs |
| E-mail address: | corygibbs@chartermi.net |
| Comments: | I'm a 1993 grad of Holden. I have DiGeorge Syndrome. I was transfered from the up when I was 2 days old and had my first surgery when I was 5 days old. Mom says we can't make to the reunion, but I wish we could. thank you all for so much love, cory |
| Name: | Mary Sharp |
| E-mail address: | msharp@netpenny.net |
| Comments: | Yesterday May 3rd, 2003 we celebrated our son Danny's 10th birthday.
He is a 1993 Holden grad. We spent 4 months at Holden. Danny only weighed
1pound 12 ounces when he was born at 30 weeks. And only 14 inches long. He
was only 5 days old when he had his first surgery and 10 days old for his
second. He had a trach for 4 years. To look at him now you would never
know that he started life with so many struggles. We come back to U of M
for check up appointments once a year with Dr. Koopmann and ALWAYS go up to Holden for a visit. We live in Alpena Mich and are 4 hours away from Ann Arbor. With the reunion so late on a Sunday we will not be able to attend, with work on Monday. A Saturday would have worked better for us. Maybe next time. |
| Name: | Vyanna Crowe |
| E-mail address: | vycrowe@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | We wish we could attend the reunion but we live in san Diego,
California! Last June I was in Whitehall, MI for a family reunion when, at 29 weeks, I gave birth to my son. He was born on June 5th in Muskeegon, the closest hospital and was transfered to the NICU at DeVos Childrens Hospital in Grand Rapids. We spent 4 weeks there staying in the Hospitality House before we worked on the transfer to Holden. Our only family member in Michigan lives in Ann Arbor and works at the U of M hospital in the Pediatric Department. We were able to live with them in the "comforts of home" while Max continued his stay in the NICU. As you all know from experience, we had many ups and downs, but the staff at Holden were friendly and helpful every step of the way, including the logistics of finally getting our son home to San Diego. Max arrived in Holden on June 26th and graduated on July 22, 2002. He is now a very healthy 11 month old. 24 pounds and doing great! We thank all the staff who helped us on our journey and wish we could attend the reunion to thank them in person! |
| Name: | Kevin Applekamp |
| E-mail address: | mailto:knapple@jamadots.com |
| Comments: | Hi my name is Kevin Applekamp father of Jessika A pplekamp From Ewen
Mich in the UP. She is a 89 grad of Holden she has Charge syndrome she has
been through so much in her life for many years we would see her nurses
Jessika says thanks to all who helped her to get this far. She is 13 now
her brother's and sister help out a lot they love their sister very much
Im not yery good at righting things down we all want to thank Holden and
the staff for all the support and good things they do for our children
Thank You Kevin,Jessika,Jakob,Matthew,Alisha Applekamp P/S Jessika And Jakob are Twins |
| Name: | Kevin Applekamp |
| E-mail address: | mailto:knapple@jamadots.com |
| Comments: | Hi my name is Kevin Applekamp father of Jessika A pplekamp From Ewen
Mich in the UP. She is a 98 grad of Holden she has Charge syndrome she has
been through so much in her life for many years we would see her nurses
Jessika says thanks to all who helped her to get this far. She is 13 now
her brother's and sister help out a lot they love their sister very much
Im not yery good at righting things down we all want to thank Holden and
the staff for all the support and good things they do for our children
Thank You Kevin,Jessika,Jakob,Matthew,Alisha Applekamp P/S Jessika And Jakob are Twins |
| Name: | Jane Scheff |
| E-mail address: | bscheff@umich.edu |
| Comments: | Brenda, your work is wonderful!! this is a beautiful website, I can not wait to see all of our Holden Grad's. Hello to all of you that read this, you all have touched our hearts , and you are kept in our prayers. Sincerely, One of the Holden Nurses ,Jane Scheff! |
| Name: | Brenda and David Sax |
| E-mail address: | brendasax@email.com |
| Comments: | Hi everyone, We are the proud parents of Marla and Benjamin. They were
born on May 4, 2000 at 26 weeks and they weighed 1 # 14 oz and 1 # 15 oz.
They had many ups and downs during their stay at Holden which lasted for
114 days and 90 days. We were so lucky to have such great care and
compassion from all the satff at Holden. Our little miracles will be three
this Sunday!!!!! We can not believe it was 3 years ago that our journey
began as preemie parents!!!! We have come soooooooooo far over the past
few years! Our kids are surprising us each and every day with new words
and abilities!! We truly are doubly blessed and treasure all the support
we had at Holdeen when we needed it most! Thanks for loving Benji and
Marla so very much and for all the prayers too!!!! We hope to come to
Holden again soon. We now live in Florida so it will be difficult for us
to make it the reunion this year. Take care and hi to all the other Moms,
Dads, and babies we met during our 3 1/2 month stay! Brenda and David |
| Name: | Brenda and David Sax |
| E-mail address: | brendasax@email.com |
| Comments: | Hi everyone, We are the proud parents of Marla and Benjamin. They were
born on May 4, 2000 at 26 weeks and they weighed 1 # 14 oz and 1 # 15 oz.
They had many ups and downs during their stay at Holden which lasted for
114 days and 90 days. We were so lucky to have such great care and
compassion from all the satff at Holden. Our little miracles will be three
this Sunday!!!!! We can not believe it was 3 years ago that our journey
began as preemie parents!!!! We have come soooooooooo far over the past
few years! Our kids are surprising us each and every day with new words
and abilities!! We truly are doubly blessed and treasure all the support
we had at Holdeen when we needed it most! Thanks for loving Benji and
Marla so very much and for all the prayers too!!!! We hope to come to
Holden again soon. We now live in Florida so it will be difficult for us
to make it the reunion this year. Take care and hi to all the other Moms,
Dads, and babies we met during our 3 1/2 month stay! Brenda and David |
| Name: | Marla and Benjamin Sax |
| E-mail address: | brendasax@email.com |
| Name: | Dawn Ham-Kucharski |
| E-mail address: | alexsmom1@comcast.net |
| Comments: | Thank you so much for all of the wonderful things you did for my son, Alex, from June through July 1998. You can see Alex in the Fall 2002 issue of Medicine at Michigan, in the article "Pushing Play." He was also featured in last summmer's Mott insert in many local newspapers; he was featured last Thursday in the Detroit Free Press; and he'll be featured in a segment on PLAY, with Dr. Solomon, this Friday, May 2nd, on the channel 7, WXYZ 5 p.m. news. Thank you for all you did for our Alex. |
| Name: | Alison Grainger |
| E-mail address: | mmaagrain@chartermi.net |
| Comments: | Our daughter Maggie Louise was in Holden from September 2, 1999 to September 21. |
| Name: | Katherine Flagg |
| E-mail address: | flagg_48174@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | We finally got pregnant after 15 yrs of trying. Aja Breanne Flagg was born January 14, 2001 at U of M. That day was the happiest day of my life. I could finally see my baby, unfortunately, she was rushed immediately to NICU. She aspirated meconium and was in respiratory distress, but because we were in the right place and at the right time she is now a healthy, rumbunctious 2 yr old. We are looking forward to this upcoming picnic to see some hopefully familiar faces. |
| Name: | Miriam Goldfarb |
| E-mail address: | grandmimiof3@aol.com |
| Comments: | Time goes by just too, too quickly...Ben and Marla were born at U of M in 2000, and not 2001 as I wrote...It has now been almost 3 years that we become familiar with the "miracles" performed by your wonderful staff... |
| Name: | Miriam Goldfarb |
| E-mail address: | grandmimiof3@aol.com |
| Comments: | I am a grandmother of twins, born May 4, 2001, 14 weeks prior to their due date. Both Ben and Marla are doing remarkably well thanks to the wonderful care they received during their stay at Holden. I want to express my appreciation and gratitude to everyone involved in their treatment during those most difficult first months of their precious lives. |
| Name: | Lynn Nadrowski |
| E-mail address: | lynnad@umich.edu |
| Comments: | Our son Griffin was born at 31 weeks, 3lbs. 3oz's on 10/13/01.
Fortunately - he was only on a vent for about 8 hours and progressed
beautifully thanks to the wonderful care he/we received. Griffin was in
Holden for 2 weeks. It was a very emotional and stressful time. I'll never
forget one of the doctors telling us they were keeping Griffin in the room
with the more critical babies because he was a wonderful role model. (The
real reason was because of RN staffing). It really easied our worries. We
are so grateful to everyone at Holden and feel truely blessed to have
Griffin who is our shining star. We are looking forward to the family reunion! |
| Name: | DARCIE, MIKE, AND SUTTON STRAUB |
| E-mail address: | DARCIESTRAUB@AOL.COM |
| Comments: | OUR SON SUTTON IS A 1997 GRAD OF HOLDEN. HE WAS BORN OCTOBER 27, 1997 IN SAGINAW MICHIGAN. HE WAS A FULL TERM MECONIUM ASPIRATION BABY AND WAS TAKEN TO U OF M HOLDEN BY HELICOPTOR. HE WAS VERY SICK WITH TUBES EVERYWHERE, AND IT SEEMED THAT ECMO AT U OF M WAS THE ONLY THING TO SAVE HIM. FORTUNATLY, ECMO WAS NOT DONE, AND SUTTY BECAME BETTER BY MEDICATIONS AND CHEST TUBES AND THE GREAT CONSTANT MONITORING, ATTENTION AND LOVE GIVEN TO HIM BY THE HOLDEN DOCTORS AND STAFF. TODAY SUTTON IS A HAPPY HEALTHY 5 YEAR OLD PRE-SCHOOLER WHO ENJOYS T-BALL, BIKE RIDING, AND HELPING HIS DAD WORK AROUND THE HOUSE. HE IS A VERY DETERMINED LITTLE BOY, I FEEL HE GOT THIS STRENGHT FROM THE FIRST 2 WEEKS OF FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE. AS THE DAYS AND YEARS GO BY, WE OFTEN THINK ABOUT WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO OUR SON. AS THE U OF M HELICOPTOR LANDS AND TAKES OFF FROM THE HOSPITAL WHERE I WORK (COVENANT HEALTHCARE IN SAGINAW, MI) I GET SUCH A FEELING OF PRIDE, KNOWING THAT THAT PATIENT IS GOING TO THE VERY BEST PLACE FOR TREATMENT, JUST LIKE OUR SUTTON DID. OVER THE YEARS, WE HAVE FORGOTTEN NAMES AND FACES, BUT NEVER, EVER WILL WE FORGET THE CARE, SUPPORT AND LOVE FROM EVERYONE AT HOLDEN. A MILLION THANKS TO THE HOLDEN STAFF FOR GIVING US OUR HAPPY HEALTHY, SPUNKY REDHEADED BALL OF FIRE!!! |
| Name: | Tracy |
| E-mail address: | TGrabowski@wideopenwest.com |
| Comments: | We were so excited to reecive our invitation! We look forward to giving our thanks in person to Holden staff. Everyone's stories brought tears to my eyes. Our son, Adam was only in NICU for twenty-four hours. He was not breathing when he was born. His birth is my most treasued memory, and I thank the dedicated and nurturing NICU staff who cared for him. We still have his icolet stuffed eagle as a reminder of our joy. |
| Name: | Carrie Elliott |
| E-mail address: | cnjelliott@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | My son, Nathan, is a 1998 graduate of Holden. Born seven weeks early, he was taken from St. Joseph Mercy Hospital to UofM...and spent his first days at Holden. We have thought of Holden and its staff many times over the years, especially now that Nathan will be getting ready to start kindergarten...and is healthy and happy. We will be attending the Holden Family Reunion and are anxious to see the other graduated children and the staff that took such great care of our little ones. |
| Name: | Trevor Lowell Grosset(Earl) |
| E-mail address: | aearl@chartermi.net |
| Comments: | Trevor is a 2001 grad from HOLDEN NICU. He was born on Dec.31 2000
with a diapraghmatic hernia and spent 2 months in HOLDEN. He came home on
March 3 2001. I am forever grateful to all the staff at HOLDEN and the
ECMO team that took such great care of my little boy. He spent 14 days on
ECMO. He had a very special nurse but all I konw is her name is Deb and
she tranfered to the Pediatric Surgical Team. Hopefully she will be there
so we can say a big thanks. She hasnt seen Trevor since just after his
surgery and now he is 2 1/2. I am sure she would be very pleased to see
him now. Thank you all!! See You soon Sincerely Trevor and all his family |
| Name: | NOLAN CARR< LANCE & KATE |
| E-mail address: | ktcarr2001@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | WOW! What a wonderful idea! We are looking forward to bringing Nolan to the picnic. I have often thought how helpful it would be to have a means of support and an opportunity to support others who have had this experience. I know that our "journey" changed our lives forever and we are so grateful for everyone who has helped us along the way. Nolan is a happy healthy 3 year old today who has made our lives complete. It will be so nice to see other families who have been blessed as we have even though it was a challenging beginning. Ironically, my career path has changed, I now work st the Social Security Administration in Ann Arbor and I am the liason to the cardiac NICU and help families with their application process for the SSI program. At first these were difficult claims for me because it hit so close to home, however, the light went on and i realized God put me here for a reason, to help these families with the process and take the needed time to offer some support, as it is a challenge when you have to go through agencies to apply for much needed help and or support for the overwhelming cost of care. As i experienced, many know nothing about Children's Special Health, Medicaid, SSI etc. until it happens to them. I feel these cases are near and dear to my heart and I am so grateful to be able to help give families a sense of direction. I am really looking forward to bringing my Little Miracle Nolan to the picnic and having the opportunity to share time with other families and express our gratitude to those who made it possible for us to be there! |
| Name: | Erica & Zahir Hampton |
| E-mail address: | mamichulaerica@aol.com |
| Comments: | We are looking forward to coming to the reunion. Thanks to everyone at holden who helped us make it through. |
| Name: | ANGELA GESINSKI-MAYVILLE |
| E-mail address: | alannaandreillysmom@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | HEY EVERYONE!! I AM SO GLAD THAT YOU GUYS SENT ME A FLYER ABOUT THE PICNIC!! OUR DAUGHTER ALANNA SPENT 14 DAYS IN THE NICU, SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THERE LONGER BUT SHE WAS OUR LITTLE MIRACLE. ALANNA WAS BORN FULL TERM ACTUALLY ALITTLE LATE, SHE HAD MECONIUM ASPIRATION SHE WAS A SICK LITTLE GIRL BUT WITH ALL THE PRAYERS AND GREAT SUPPORT FROM THE STAFF AT HOLDEN, ALANNA IS NOW 2 YEARS OLD MORE ADVANCED THEN MOST 2 YEAR OLDS I AM SO EXCITED TO COME WITH MY FAMILY TO SHOW HOW GREAT SHE IS DOING, SINCE ALANNA I HAVE A SON REILLY WHO IS 1 AND I AM OVER DUE WITH MY THIRD, SO IT WILL BE GREAT TO GET OUT WITH OTHER FAMILIES!!! THANK YOU HOLDEN STAFF!! ALANNAS MOM |
| Name: | Kim Dale |
| E-mail address: | dalekim_alex@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | I am also pretty excited about this reunion....there is not a day that
goes by that I do not think about what the Holden Staff and our experience
with our son at UofM. Our son Alex was born March 2000 in Lansing, MI and
was airlifted to UofM and was on ECMO. It was a very scary experience, but
Alex is doing well at 3 years old and has had any developmental
delays!!!!! We have been told Alex is one of the "Great" stories! Alex
just graduated this last month out of the developmental assesment clinics
and the Early On Development Program....what a great way to celebrate this
June. Cant wait!!!! The Dale Family |
| Name: | Julie Ciuk |
| E-mail address: | ciukdj@ameritech.net |
| Comments: | We are so excited to come to the Family Reunion. My sons Jake and Alex were born January 17, 2002 at 31 weeks. Alex only spent 3 weeks in Holden, but Jake had a much harder time. He left Holden at the end of February to have heart surgery and didn't come home until April 9th. If it weren't for the wonderful people at Holden, Jake would never have made it to surgery. They are both wild and crazy 15 month olds now...walking, climbing, causing lots of trouble. Thank you so much to everyone...see you on June 29th. |
| Name: | Chris, Sheri and Hannah Combs |
| E-mail address: | chrisshericombs@aol.com |
| Comments: | After we received the Reunion invatation, that is all I could think about today. It is truley amazing what you feel when you hear the word Holden. Hannah is our miracle, thanks to all of the wonderful people at Holden and the hundreds of prayers from family and friends. Hannah was born at 29 weeks in August 1999. We were there for 44 days. I will never forget what we went through to bring her home. I will never forget the day Susan Sevic said "your going home." I thought that day would never come. Thank you God for hearing our prayers. We can't wait to see our friend we met while at Holden. |
| Name: | Joan Knightley |
| E-mail address: | bbdude@cac.net |
| Comments: | Just received the invitation to the 1st Annual Holden Family Reunion which lead me to the website. I have two Holden Grads, one 26 weeker and one 34 weeker. Both doing wonderfully thanks to Holden!!!! Love the site! |
| Name: | Robin McKenzie, Dean and J.T. Eberts |
| E-mail address: | mckenzieqn@aol.com |
| Comments: | Hi Everyone! Our son, James Taylor was born by emergency c-section at U of M on May 13,2002. He had numerous complications and spent the first 19 days of his life in Holden. Due to some very high skilled and loving care from the staff there and an incredible machine called Ecmo, not to mention a lot of prayer and support from our families and friends, he is now a vibrant, healthy 11 1/2 month old. We thank God every day for the special miracle we have in J.T. We will definately look forward to the reunion. |
| Name: | jamie morrison |
| E-mail address: | jaenamarie@msn.com |
| Comments: | Hi, We live up by Alpena Michigan. My name is Jamie and My husband is Paul. our daughter Jaena (jay-na) was born Dec 16 01. she weighed 2# 4 0z and was 14 inches long. Jaena was born at 27 weeks. She was flown from Alpena to U of M. now she is 16 months and gets around like no tomorrow, I never thought that I would see these precious moments when we were in the NICU. Paul and I are so greatful to the U of M for saving our daughter and having the most caring nurses Drs I have ever known. Jaena also was born with a complete left cleft lip and palate. she has had her surgeries already and you can barely tell, once again awesome work done at the U of M.. if anyone would like to email please feel free, there is also a great website called www.prematurelyyours.com they have very nice people on that site. congrats to all the graduates and hope to meet with you the end of June.. Jamie |
| Name: | Kayla Marie Curran |
| E-mail address: | CURRJE@AOL.COM |
| Comments: | Hello! My name is Kayla Marie Curran. I am 4 years old. My Mom's name is Jeanmarie and my Dad's name is Eric. My Mom is typing this up for me. Mom says I am her little miracle baby! I was born on February 18, 1999 at Genesys Hospital in Grand Blanc, Michigan, at 10:53pm. Mom and Dad didn't know it, but I had a diaphragmatic hernia, which must have developed late, because I'm doing just fine now! Anyway, when I made my entrance into this world, I wasn't breathing and all of these people came running into the delivery room and took me away from my Mommy. We were so scared. We didn't know what was wrong. I was taken down to the nursery. I had to be air-lifted by helicopter to UofM Ann Arbor and I was placed in the NICU at Holden Hospital. Mom had to wait until early morning to be checked out of the hospital. Dad stayed with her and in the morning they drove right down to Holden to be with me! I was hospitalized for three weeks. Mom stayed at the Med-Inn the entire time. Dad wanted to, but he had to go to work. A few days after being born I had surgery . . . a diaphragmatic hernia repair. I was very lucky! All the surgeons needed to do was a "repair" . . . they just had to stitch up the hole in my diaphragm. No major problems. Thank you God! The Staff at Holden hospital took "excellent" care of me, especially Nurse Jane! A lot of the nurses and doctors were real good to my Mom and Dad too! They were there to answer questions and to support them through this very difficult time. On Friday, March 13, 1999, Mom and Dad finally got to bring me home! We are living in Fenton, Michigan and doing very well! Sometimes we see the UofM helicopter fly right over our house and we wave and say Thank you! Mom always gets a little teary eyed! Today, April 22, 2003, we received an invitation to the First Annual Holden Family Reunion! We plan on attending the reunion and we are so very excited! Mom got tears when she read the invitation . . . she is just thrilled! What a "wonderful" idea! We hope that everyone is doing well! Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone! Lots of Love and gratefullness, Kayla Marie Curran & Mom and Dad!!! |
| Name: | Jessica Miles |
| E-mail address: | masmiles1969@msn.com |
| Comments: | I just got the announcement for the family reunion! What a wonderful
idea! I have thought about bringing Murielle (born October 13, 1998) back
for a visit several times, but can't remember any names in
particular...life was kind of crazy for the 5 weeks she spent there. I
can't wait to see staff and meet other families who have "been there".
See you all soon! Jessica |
| Name: | Kerry, Jason and Nathan McConnell |
| E-mail address: | mcconnelljj@ieee.org |
| Comments: | We are excited to reunite with the wonderful doctors, nurses, staff
and families of Holden who helped care for our son and our family durring
his stay at the NICU in 2001. Watching him develop into a little boy has
been a tremendous experience and we thank you everyday. We look forward to
seeing all of you in June! |
| Name: | Dawn Collins |
| E-mail address: | dawn_collins@archway.com |
| Comments: | What a wonderful idea! My daughter is a 1998 Holden Grad. I look forward to seeing the wonderful staff that took such good care of her and were such great support to my husband and I. |
| Name: | Bethany, Kevin and Drake Smith |
| E-mail address: | kevinandbethany@wwnet.net |
| Comments: | We are looking forward to seeing all of the wonderful people from Holden at the reunion! What a fantastic idea! Drake continues to thrive thanks to all of the great care he received while in Holden. We thank all of the doctors, nurses and support staff with all our hearts! |
| Name: | Kathleen Thurn |
| E-mail address: | kathurn@wideopenwest.com |
| Comments: | Looking foward to the Holden Reunion and seeing some of the wonderful staff that took care of our 1994 grad |
| Name: | Lynn Houghton |
| E-mail address: | LySmHo@aol.com |
| Comments: | How wonderful it was to receive the flyer about the Holden family reunion. Liz graduated from Holden in 1991 and is doing just fine. I hope there will be staff, both present and former, there. We especially would love to see Liz's primary nurse, Lisa Rhys (I think that's her name.)But there were many other people who helped us over the three weeks we were there over the summer of 1991. |
| Name: | jamie & emily |
| E-mail address: | cunham6@famvid.com |
| Comments: | I was so excited to see the flier about the reunion. I have always wondered about the great people that helped us bring our daughter home. Do you plan on trying to invite past employees as well? Hopefully so. We are very excited to attend and show all the progress Emily has made!!! |
| Name: | Charline Muszall |
| E-mail address: | cmuszall@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | I am making out the invitations to "Rustys" high school graduation
party and I just went on line to look for the address for UofM and I found
this wonderful site. We graduated from Holden not just once but twice. God has ben good to us and I am the proud monther of a nineteen year old man who is loking forward to graduation and independence. Thank you Holden, You set the highest of expectations for the care that I have always looked for. See you at the celebration. "Rusty" and mom |
| Name: | Bob Schumacher |
| E-mail address: | neoschu@umich.edu |
| Comments: | Great Job Brenda thanks for such tremendous help
Bob |