Harry & Effie
I wish to share the story of our tiny miracles, Theoharis (“Harry”) and
Eftihia (“Effie”). Now two healthy, curious and energetic 18 month olds,
you’d never guess the hardships they faced at the very start of their lives.
I learned I was pregnant with twins in July of 2016. My fiancé Robert and
I were overjoyed. The anticipation of the twins’ arrival excited everyone
and brought our families hope for the future. I reminded my parents that
their grandbabies and I needed them more than ever. At my 20 week OBGYN appointment, I was informed that I was at risk of preterm labor at any time and prescribed strict bed rest, effective immediately. An overwhelming darkness ensued. As I lay on the couch for the next 6 weeks, I felt my world beginning to unravel. No one I knew had ever been in my predicament. I slept a lot and refused most visitors. The faint sensation of Effie and Harry’s sweet nudges and kicks was the only thing that made me happy. In December 2016, at 26 weeks pregnant, I qualified for bed rest at Norwalk Hospital. During this stay, TTMF volunteers stopped by my room. They shared stories of their deliveries, NICU stays, and post-NICU experiences, as well as current pictures of their beautiful children. For the first time in 6 weeks I wanted to talk and to listen to someone. The volunteers knew exactly how I felt and helped me prepare for what may come: They reignited my hope that things would be ok. On January 16, 2017, our babies, a mere 28 weeks and 3 days gestation,were born. I turned to my fiancé— his words forever engrained into my brain “Elpida, like it or not, we’re meeting Harry and Effie today.”
Harry was delivered first. Weighing 2 pounds 11 ounces, he was not
breathing and needed to be resuscitated. Effie came minutes later,
weighing 2 pounds 8 ounces. Her one courageous squeak was music
to our ears as they rushed her out. I was wheeled to the NICU shortly
thereafter to meet them for the very first time. The nurses pulled their
fragile little bodies, covered in tubes and patches, out of the isolettes.
Everything felt so surreal and unnatural until they placed them, one by
one, onto my chest. At that moment I became a mother.
The next morning, I limped over to the NICU looking for our children
in a roomful of isolettes. The nurses pointed to two tucked in a corner,
covered with blankets – pink plaid for Effie and yellow with ducks
for Harry, courtesy of TTMF. TTMF’s generosity only continued: in-person
check-ins, parent snack packs, preemie reading materials, doctor
recommendations, specialist suggestions, and clothing donations, just to
name a few. TTMF made the NICU feel like a second home to us for the
next 50 or so days while Effie and Harry slowly grew stronger. The
greatest gift of all, however, is the friendships I have gained from the
volunteers — they gave me confidence and supported me. Something I will
be forever grateful for. Our NICU days were grueling — truly an emotional roller coaster, fraught with worry, anxiety and guilt. Eventually the good days started outnumbering the bad and our tiny warriors persevered! The patience and optimism of TTMF helped us through those long, hard days.
Our babies’ discharge from the NICU was bittersweet; my mother
passed away. Harry inherited her eyes and Effie her name and both had her incredibly strong will to live. But the loss of my mother was a double blow; my dad had passed away while I was on bedrest. Our twins were very lucky to come home from the hospital relatively unscathed. Preemie families across the country face unimaginable health issues and economic challenges. I am comforted knowing there is a way to help and in our case, pay it forward. Donations to dedicated organizations such as TTMF, offer compassion and support well beyond NICU doors, aiding and connecting preemie families. I just cannot say enough great things about TTMF. TTMF, thank you for letting me share the story of our tiny but mighty miracles.
