North Carolina

We are considering a move from ky to nc and I am nervous about uprooting Nia's care. She continues seeing her original neonatologist that she has seen from birth. I feel comfortable with him since he has known everything about her from her illnesses to her temperment (you could hear nia yelling from one end of the nicu to the other when she was there). We see him at the high risk clinic at children's hosp every 3 months. They handle and organize everything for us. When I go in he sees her and if there is a problem with weight gain he pages the nutritionist and a few minutes later she is there. If there are quesitons about her motor skills he pages a OT and she pops in. I get to see everyone in one visit, they all come to us based on need. She has a eye appt coming up with the eye doctor she saw in the nicu. I don't know how many people have this same set up. My friend had a preemie and never saw anyone after discharge. I also hate the thought of starting over with First Steps. The government isn't exactly the most efficient group of people and I would hate to halt her therapy because of all the hoop jumping to get EI started in a new state. Maybe I'm being parinoid. Does anyone know about the services available in NC or about how to uproot their care from state to state.
Desiree

Desiree,

I know that services vary from state to state. I know that South Carolina is different from North Carolina, so I am probably not a wealth of information. I would suggest that you check out the state government's website to find out what they have that is comparable to First Steps in Kentucky. Then you could make some calls.

I would also tell you that North Carolina has a wonderful medical community with major hospitals that attract patients from all over. Duke University is there for example with world recognized physicians!

Any kind of change is hard and the move would be a big change, but by doing your homework in advance and being proactive, it may be a good change!!

Hugs!
Michele

Desiree,
    I understand the concern b/c there is a great comfort in seeing the same Dr's that saw your child while in the Hopsital. The Dr's at Duke are wonderful. Our son was born 17 weeks early and has to go every three months to Duke to be seen. There they are set up where you can see all the services at one time. We also have issues with our son's eyes and the staff at Duke are wonderful. Dr. Sharon Freeman there is considered one of the best in the country. Best of luck in everything. The first steps program that you have in your state is like Early Intervention in NC. It is not hard to get started with as there is a office in each county. The staff at the Hopsital was helpul in getting that started and quickly.
Best of Luck,
Kirsten Poythress

Hi- been a long time since I've posted-everything's changed. I like it though. My daughter was born in Wilmington,NC in 1999. I need to say that not only is Duke a great facility, but our local hospital New Hanover Regional provided exceptional care for Meigan. There were a few very scary times when they considered flying her to Chapel HIll or Duke, but fortunately that was not necessary. Is there anyone else out there around Wilmington? Thanks!

I live in Sanford, North Carolina. My son was in Chapel Hill when he was born for 3 weeks. I love that hospital they have great doctors and nurses. My son is now 20 months old and has Cerbral Palsy we do OT in Chapel Hill every two weeks. I have heard Duke is also great but never took my son there.

Desiree-
As someone that has uprooted (and will again) my son's care to move, it is a stressful thing....but one positive thing I can tell you is that Early Intervention here is great! Caeleb currently has speech therapy and will begin occupational as well as CBRS (which they tell me is some sort of play therapy that works a little on everything). To get involved, just talk to your pediatrician and they can refer you. It is working great for us because now Early Intervention will pay for all of Caeleb's therapies; which helps us out a lot. Let me know if I can help you in anyway.
Amy
~mommy to Caeleb, 22 months old yesterday

Hi, my name is Melanie. I had my daughter at Duke when she was 25weeks. Before my d/c I had lots of people coming to my room to set up early intervention and social security, etc, etc. I live in Johnston County which is 1.5 hours east of Durham and EI immediately called me shortly after my D/C. I can't complain. Luckily Ashley hasn't needed any intervention yet. She'll be 13 months old on the 16th of Feb. As mentioned in the previous messages, EI is set up from county to county or district to district. My advice is for you to talk to your case worker and ask her to find out who you need to contact when you get to NC. Better yet, if you find out when you'll be here, call before so you'll have the ball rolling before you get here. Best of luck and welcome to NC!! Please contact me if you need anyone to talk to. My email is sugarsoner@earthlink.net. C-Ya Melanie

Colton came at 361/2 weeks gestation, and weighing 5 lbs.! The major delima was around his neck......nucal 3x! He was no healthier at 36 wks. and 5 lbs. than a 28 weeker at 3 lbs. He was lifeless. He is here with me now, but I can relate to all of your stories. I first had a miscarriage in 2002, then healthy 8 lb. Jacob in 2003, and then the shock and reality of the NICU experience with Colton. I along with Shannon Summers, delivered at NHRMC!!!!! Both Times. Same Doctor! Hugs and Kisses to Dr. Omaster!!! Excellent health care!! If I would have chosen a closer hospital that day, I don't know what I would be writing in this box. I thank God for many answered prayers. I would love to get to know everyone, I'm a SAHM. so i'm available and only an email away!

Hi, my name is Julie and I had both of my children at Presby Hospital in Charlotte, NC. Jakob weighed 3 lbs, 11oz....and Kaylee weighed 1 lb, 7 oz. Both had to come early due to the horrible, mean, nasty "pre-eclampsia." But, I'm fortunate to say they are both doing great. Jakob is 2 1/2 and Kaylee is 10 months.
Just wondering if anyone was in the NICU at the same time as I was or even at all at Presbyterian Hospital.

Thanks,
Julie

Hi Julie,
My son Jonathan was just discharged from Presby yesterday, Oct. 17 after 7 weeks in the NICU. He was transferred there from Moore Regional (Pinehurst) on August 28 with a horrible case of NEC.
We live in Sanford so it was quite a difficult two months for our family. My husband and I also have a 3 year old. She too was a preemie at about the same gestational age (31 weeks) as her brother. In fact, he weighed more than she because she had IUGR. Still, she was the healthy one and only spent three weeks in the local NICU. All the stories we've heard about boys not doing well in the NICU have certainly been true for us.
Jonathan lost 75% of his large intestine so we've brought him home with a colostomy and a heart monitor. We'll be back in Charlotte next week for a visit with his pediatric GI and surgeon. It's been a tough road that isn't over yet, but I'd do it all again tomorrow!
How did your children do in the NICU? And isn't the staff at the Presby NICU simply the best!!! We also loved most of the doctors with Dr. K being our favorite.
Take care!

Hi...I'm sorry it took so long to write back. My little girl got a nasty cold and it took a little while for her to get over it, but she's doing a lot better now. We also loved the NICU at Presby. Of course we had our favorite primary nurses, but most of them were always nice and helpful. The Dr.'s were all good too. My favorite was Dr. Howell and my husband like Dr. Rama. Our primary nurse was Amy...she had bright red hair..excellent nurse!! I'm sorry to hear about Jonathan, but babies are tough...and I'm sure he's a fighter. Feel free to e-mail me anytime or message me...take care

Julie

Hi There! I am new to this board and am very interested in getting together with fellow Eastern North Carolinians for the upcoming March of Dimes WalkAmerica!

My son, Christopher was born last year--on Christmas Day at Pitt Memorial in Greenville. He was 33 weeks, 3lbs, 11oz and taken by emergency c-section. Hard to believe he is almost a year old! He is healthy and strong and quite the little pistol--(came out into this world kicking and screaming and continued the antics for 2 hours while being assessed in NICU)! The staff at PCMH was wonderful--did a great job of taking care of baby (and Mom)....and I thought it was time to repay the favor and would love to get involved!

Chris is our precious little gift..I am holding him in my arms and typing right now--and my husband and I are thankful for him every day! Anyway, if any one is a part of the event or planning to be...let's chat!

All the best,
Lisa

I'm just east of Raleigh. My daughter will be 2 in January and was born at 25 5/7 weeks at 1lb 6oz. Would love to hear from you if you're interested in email. Just email me at sugarsoner@earthlink.net. Have a great day. Melanie Eller

For the moms from North Carolina and who done the walk @ Bolton Park...I got a invition to the 2007 WalkAmerica Awards and Appreciation Dinner here is the info...(if ya'll haven't already got ya'll yet)

Date: June 22, 2007
Place: The Piedmont Club
Location: 200 West Second Street 19th Floor Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Time: 11:30am - 1:00pm

RSVP by June 18, 2007

Since I was the team captain of Deven's Team I'm going to be there along with a few people from our team who raised the most money! Hope to see ya'll there!!!

For the moms from North Carolina and who done the walk @ Bolton Park...I got a invition to the 2007 WalkAmerica Awards and Appreciation Dinner here is the info...(if ya'll haven't already got ya'll yet)

Date: June 22, 2007
Place: The Piedmont Club
Location: 200 West Second Street 19th Floor Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Time: 11:30am - 1:00pm

RSVP by June 18, 2007

Since I was the team captain of Deven's Team I'm going to be there along with a few people from our team who raised the most money! Hope to see ya'll there!!!

Have fun! Our Awards dinner is next Wednesday - I'm very excited!!

Take care,
Kara

My son was born at Pitt on dec 29. We were there at the same time. email me if you get this!! franceskpurvis@yahoo.com

My daughter was born at Pitt on May 19, 2007 at 30 weeks gestation via emergency c-section. It was a little confusing as I was transfered to Greenville from Goldsboro so I didn't know any of the doctors or nurses. Not to mention, they had me on several IV medications, so my memory of the whole thing is a little foggy. What I do remember about it was how nice everyone there was. From the nurses' aides to the OBs to the NICU staff, everyone tried to maintain a happy demeanor which helped me tremendously!!
Even though my pregnancy went sour, I'm pleased to say that I now have a happy and healthy 3 1/2 month old!!

Jules

Hi all, I'm not new to the board, but wanted to stop in and see if there is anyone from my area of the Carolina' s. I had twins in Jan 2007 at Catawba Valley Med Center. I have to say they have the best NICU staff.

My babies were born at 25 wks. I lost my Katelyn due to sever prematurity. after 6 days. Her twin Bethany is doing well.

Just looking to chat and see if there is anyone close.