Matthew's Marchers

Our family will be walking in the 2010 March of Dimes march for babies in KC on May 1st. The March of Dimes will always hold a special place in our hearts and we thank everyone who has already donated to this cause in Matthew's name. As you all know, Matthew was born at 25 weeks, weighing 1 lb 1 oz, and spent 108 days (an entire summer) in the NICU at OPR. I don't talk about this time very often, as it is hard to relive the memories. The NICU experience was both the scariest time we've lived through and also the most miraculous time. We had to stand by as our little baby breathed with the help of a vent, CPAP, high and low flow oxygen...was pricked countless times for blood gas and sugar readings...received his food via IV's and feeding tubes...received about a dozen blood transfusions...had about every single organ (lungs, heart, brain, kidneys, eyes) looked at under a microscope...but we also were able to witness the miracle of such a tiny little life grow stronger and stronger as the weeks went by, and finally come home at 6 times his birth weight. Today, he is a typical toddler who captures the hearts of eveyone he meets. The March of Dimes is committed to research so that little ones like Matthew have chances at life. If you are interested in donating, our family website is http://www.marchforbabies.org/team/t1399671. Thanks again to everyone who has already donated!