Meet the Tillyer Family
Meet the Tillyer Family
In July 2015, at just 32 weeks, Lauren Tillyer’s water broke unexpectedly. She was admitted to Abbotsford Hospital on strict bed rest, with the goal of carrying her son Lukas to 34 weeks. She and her husband Nick learned that once their son was born, he would need to stay in the NICU for another 4 to 6 weeks.
Once Lukas was born safely, doctors arranged a transfer to Surrey Memorial Hospital, closer to the family’s Cloverdale home. Lauren and Nick prepared for the long haul: staying with him every day and helping him to grow and heal.
When NICU staff suggested that she visit the Ronald McDonald Family Room, Lauren was blown away. “I was able to bring my own groceries in and cook normal food after living on takeout,” she said. “It makes you feel human again.”
She began to use the facility every day, and when she didn’t have time to shop, the Family Room always had a supply of breakfast food, fruits and veggies, and coffee to keep exhausted moms going. She got to know other parents facing similar situations, and took comfort from sharing progress updates and encouragement. Nick could join her every day after work and their extended family was able to visit them and share special moments like birthday celebrations.
The rigorous schedule of round the clock feedings were also taking their toll on Lauren. Feedings, weigh-ins, and, of course, snuggles, were repeated every 1.5. to 2 hours. Lauren could rarely go home and when she did, she immediately wanted to get back to Lukas in the hospital. Getting any sleep was difficult with the alarms and regular noises of a NICU.
Thankfully, she was able to move into a sleeping room inside the Family Room for 2.5 weeks, and the ability to rest, eat properly and have a shower made an incredible difference to her mental and physical health. Her ability to take care of herself also carried over into Lukas’ care by helping her to establish a steady milk supply.
“The combination of the wonderful nurses in the NICU and the amazing staff and facility of the Ronald McDonald Family Room was truly the definition of family centered care,” said Lauren. “I am humbled and just so grateful for the support and normality that it brought to our lives in such a tough time.”
Because of the support that they received, the family wanted to give something back. Lauren’s mother began sewing baby blankets for future NICU parents, and Lauren and Nick recently visited the room to drop them off along with messages of support for families experiencing stresses just like theirs. Lukas is now happy and healthy, at home with his mom and dad.
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