Evee

“You’re most likely going to have a miscarrage,” are words no soon-to-be parent wants to hear. That is the stark reality that Evee’s family was facing. After experiencing a hemorrhage and being rushed to Saskatchewan’s Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, it wasn’t long until Evee’s mom, Lauren, and Evee’s dad, Delaney, heard that terrifying sentence.

Lauren was discharged a few days after all the tests and checks returned clear of any issues however the pain and discomfort Lauren had been experiencing never dissipated. On April 30th, 2022, after multiple trips back to JPCH, Lauren was admitted to the Maternity Unit for monitoring. At 2:00 a.m. after completing a cervical check, Lauren and Delaney heard those words once again as they were wheeled into the birthing room.

On May 1, 2022, Evee made her entrance into the world at only 23 weeks and 4 days gestation weighing only 561 grams, slightly over one pound…without a heartbeat. Evee’s mother and father didn’t move a muscle as they witnessed their medical team do everything they could to resuscitate their baby girl. In just minutes Lauren and Delaney bore witness to their baby entering the world, dying, being revived, and then being rushed out of the room straight to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at JPCH.

Although the tides were turning for Evee and her family, her journey had just begun. Lauren and Delaney knew they had a fighter on their hands. What started as a 0% chance for Evee’s survival had now climbed to a 50/50 chance but it didn’t look promising for Evee.

“Buckle up because it’s going to be a ride,” said a nurse to Lauren as they exited their first family meeting.

Evee’s medical journey after that meeting has been a ride and more. After just three days in the NICU, Evee was diagnosed with a grade 4 brain bleed. On day seven, Mother’s Day no less, Lauren and Delaney arrived at the NICU to find Evee had experienced a spontaneous intestinal perforation and required an abdominal drain to be inserted immediately. Three days later, Lauren was told Evee had an open Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) that was large and causing a lack of blood flow to her intestines which was inhibiting the perforation to heal. Weeks later, Evee would be diagnosed with chronic lung disease and Stage 2 ROP (retinopathy of prematurity).

On September 7th, 2022, after 130 days in the NICU, Evee was finally cleared to go home – a few weeks after Lauren’s original due date. In total, Evee has endured a dozen blood and platelet transfusions, an abdominal drain, two major surgeries, countless ultrasounds and x-rays, an MRI, six PICC line insertions, too many blood draws, and three intubations.

“I cannot say enough of the staff that work in the NICU – they saved my daughter’s life – I will never be able to say thank you enough,” says Lauren.

In Evee’s five+ months at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, the staff truly became family to Lauren and Delaney. Their team has watched and grown with Evee from a likely miscarriage to being taken home by her mom and dad. Upon their discharge, the NICU team put together a “graduation” for Evee. With her own graduation song playing and dawning her own tiny cap and gown, the entire NICU team lined the halls as Evee made her exit.

“They all stood by my side in the darkest moments of my life, they hugged me, encouraged me, helped me put on a brave face. They were the soft spot I needed when I fell. They treated my daughter as if she was their own,” explained Lauren.

Without Saskatchewan’s Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital and the incredible staff, there would be no Evee. It’s a reality that Lauren doesn’t ever want to think about and never has to because of the care they received at JPCH.

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