Hostess Q&A - Louise Carter

Name: Louise Carter

Tell us a little bit about your family.

We are the Carters - Brian Sr., and Louise. Our children are Virginia (9), Brian Jr. (8), Jack (5), and Lewis (3).  The dogs are Sam, Doug and Taco, and we have a beta named Blue.    

How has your family been impacted by the Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund? 

Jack was born full term, labor was normal, pregnancy had progressed without incident but Jack was not breathing well and we spent five scary days in the NICU on oxygen with a very wonderful group of caregivers. They were able to provide what he needed (oxygen warmth IVs) even though the nature of his difficulty was not immediately apparent. But eventually his body kicked in and he started oxygenating on his own and we moved on. Without an intensive care unit, who knows what kind of damage my little boy would have sustained to his bright little brain from lack of adequate oxygenation? He was struggling to breathe so much and I don't believe he could have eaten, so maybe he would not have thrived either. Hard to know. I remember the NICU with extreme gratitude when he is telling a joke or singing something with the radio or writing his name. Or just flashing one of his charming smiles.

Why did you choose to get involved with the Miracle Bash/Swim for Melissa? 

I saw some of the things that come from this kind of fundraising first-hand. Little things like rockers to sit in while waiting to hold your baby.  Small pillows the mothers could use. Seems like there was more and now the details have faded but the impression is still there.

Why do you think is the mission of the Melissa George Fund is important to our community? 

We have to give the babies a fighting chance.

What’s your favorite part of the Miracle Bash/Swim for Melissa? 

My kids would say the prizes for the fundraising or maybe the snow cones at the pool.

What would you say to someone who’s never been to the Miracle Bash or Swim for Melissa? 

It is an awe-inspiring activity that allows the kids to help the babies, which is a great way to prepare them to give back to the community as adults.

What kinds of things do you and your family like to do for fun? 

Go to the beach, jump on the trampoline, play tennis and spend hours at the ball park playing whatever sport is in season.

Bryson Michael Johnson & Brylee Abbigayle Johnson

Bryson & Brylee Johnson, born at 29 weeks

Our NICU story starts out like many others – scary! Like many couples, we had to deal with infertility, and after two years we sought fertility treatment. We were so blessed that out first IUI worked with great success. We had not one, not two, but THREE little babies!

Scared to get attached to all those babies, we went on with life, only telling a few family members. Then after each doctor appointment, we stared to wonder what life would be like with three small babies. At the 11-week checkup things didn't look promising for Baby C, and at 13 weeks we lost our triplet. So now we were told Baby A and B looked healthy and we could breathe and start planning life with twins!

Still scared but excited, we took it full-force and went baby crazy. Up to this point, even with all those babies I never had morning sickness and was as healthy as I could be. Both our regular OB and High Risk OB said things were perfect and I could expect to carry my twins to term. Both doctors were cautious in saying that and told us all the risk we faced with multiples, but we all remained positive.

At 18 weeks we found out it was a boy and a girl who we named Bryson Michael and Brylee Abbigayle. Things turned upside down at 28 weeks when we were told that Brylee wasn’t growing since our last check up, which meant her placenta wasn't providing her with enough blood. We were devastated as we were told that Brylee had a 30 percent chance of living, while Bryson had a much larger chance due to his growth being on track where Brylee was more of a 24-week-old baby.

So off to the hospital for steroid shots, and after some convincing of my doctor I got to hold my babies in one more week. At exactly 29 weeks, we delivered two tiny miracles.

Bryson Michael Johnson

Bryson weighed 2 lbs. 12 oz. and was 15 inches long, and Brylee weighted 1 lb. 8 oz. and was 12 inches long. As they were born via c-section, I heard two little cries and I was OK for a moment. Then my husband and a team of nurses headed to the NICU where my kids would stay for the next 72 days.

Brylee Abbigayle Johnson

The first time I saw my precious babies, I didn’t know what to do or say. I had never seen such tiny miracles. I was told they were healthy for their age, but not to expect too much because there was so much we wouldn't know until later. We took it hour by hour just like we were told.

We had a very typical NICU stay – everything went by the book. They had a lot of respiratory issues at the beginning: ventilators, c-pap, then graduated to the nasal canula. That was a proud day.

Then onto eating and eating slowly. Feeding your baby while holding a syringe and letting a tube feed them became second nature. We got into the routine of checking temps, changing diapers and getting to hold a baby while they ate, then back in the giraffe bed you go – and do it all again at the next care time.

We became so accustomed to it all that our nurses let us take over when we got there. Bath times were always Tuesday and Saturday nights, and that became such a fun time for me because I felt like such a Mommy in that moment.

Like I said, we had our typical ups and downs: stay on oxygen, get off oxygen, back on it, turn up the volume of food, turn it down, get a great report then get a bad one. But out of all those moments, I just thanked God that because of this NICU, I still have all these moments good and bad.

At 38 weeks Bryson had hernia surgery and Brylee had lasik surgery for her ROP. Those two scary things happened two days apart, and I felt like I was starting over. Bryson did great and went right back to no oxygen and getting a bottle, while Brylee had to start all over. After a week it was all sorted out and we took our babies home. Although Brylee wasn’t eating well, they said we could handle it. We had been taught well by our nurses –  we had it. So with a list of medicine, syringes, diapers and lots of love, we went home at 39 weeks gestation. We were surprised as well as our nurses. 

Bryson & Brylee, age 6 months

Looking back now almost one year later, I can’t believe we coped with it as well as we did. All those tears and scary days are behind us and now we have two babies who we can keep at home with us all because of the care, love and prayers they received at Huntsville Hospital NICU. And because if those amazing people our NICU stay wasn’t so scary. It was odd how you can get used to life in the NICU. As hard as it was sometimes, you caught yourself laughing and having a good time like nothing bad was happening. That was all because of the amazing doctors, nurses and staff at HH NICU. I know I could not have made it and been as strong as I was if it wasn't for them, especially our primary nurses: Kathy Morrison, Amanda Ergle and Tracy Watson, who not only cared for and spoiled our babies, but us, too.

Brylee & Bryson, age 9 months

I will never be able to thank them and every nurse who took care of us for what they have done for my family.

Lacey and Michael Johnson

Brylee & Bryson Johnson, age 11 months

Hostess Q&A - Jennifer Elwell

Name: Jennifer Elwell

Tell us a little bit about your family.

I have been married to Jason for six years.  We have a 3- year-old little girl, Charlotte, and a soon-to-be 1-year-old little boy, James. We also have a Yorkie-Poo named Luca.

How has your family been impacted by the Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund?

Neither of my children spent any time in the NICU, but I have many friends whose children did and I am so thankful for the cutting edge equipment that has been provided by Melissa’s Fund to give those children and parents a safe place to grow.

Why did you choose to get involved with the Miracle Bash/Swim for Melissa?

I was looking for a way to get involved in the community and was participating in the Angels program with the Foundation. I worked with Amy George at an event and talked with her about wanting to help with Melissa's Fund. I decided that working with Melissa's Fund would be a good way to get involved and help the tiny babies who are in the NICU.

Why do you think is the mission of the Melissa George Fund is important to our community?

I think that the mission of the Melissa George Fund is important to our community because it’s about helping those who can't help themselves. Our children are our future and by providing a safe, state-of-the-art place for the tiniest babies to grow and to give them a chance to thrive and make a difference in the world, we are impacting not only those families but those that the children will impact throughout their lives.

What’s your favorite part of the Miracle Bash/Swim for Melissa?

I love the auctions! It's always fun to walk around during the event and see what people are bidding on and keep my eye on some items that I want to get for myself. I always come home with great items and every time I look at them in my home I remember that I made a difference by purchasing them.

What would you say to someone who’s never been to the Miracle Bash or Swim for Melissa?

If you’re looking for an event that’s for a great cause but that is also loads of fun then this event is for you. Whether you bring your kids and participate in Swim or your spouse and enjoy a night kid-free at the Bash, there’s something for everyone. It's a great place to go with friends and meet new people and a wonderful way to give back to our community.

What kinds of things do you and your family like to do for fun?

We are an Alabama family and love to spend weekends in the fall in Tuscaloosa. During the spring we love going on walks and playing at the playground. And our favorite pastime in the summer is to head to the pool!

Anything else you’d like to add?

I just want to thank everyone who is involved with the Miracle Bash and Swim for Melissa. Whether you are an integral part of putting one of the events together or you just come to have fun, you are making a difference and impacting families all across North Alabama. Your support is important and with your help we are changing lives every single day!

Hostess Q&A - Andrea Hatfield

Name: Andrea Hatfield

Tell us a little bit about your family.

I moved to Huntsville when I was 5 years old and I graduated from Grissom High School where I met my husband, Matt. We started dating in 2005 and I moved back to Huntsville after I graduated from Auburn University to be with him. We got married in 2008 and we have one daughter, Kayla, born in September 2011. We have two dogs and one cat and they haven't fully adjusted to living with a baby, but they are warming up to her now that she is able to throw them Cheerios. I am a government contractor at Venturi, Inc. and my husband is a Huntsville Fire Fighter.

How has your family been impacted by the Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund?

I serve on the Venturi Brighter Day Employee Grant committee and while considering the Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund for a grant in 2011, I was given a tour of the NICU. I was around 20 weeks pregnant at the time and the entire experience was surreal. The reality of children fighting for their lives is hard to stomach, but the thought that some hospitals don't have the proper equipment to save babies is unbearable. I remember thinking, "Thank God for all this equipment!" I know that the Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund has provided life-saving equipment that the NICU wouldn't have otherwise. I choose to deliver my daughter at Huntsville Hospital because of the NICU and its superior technology in case she was born with any complications. 

There is not a day that goes by that I don't thank God for my daughter’s health and I am very grateful to be involved with the Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund for no other reason than to show my support to all the families that have had to use the NICU's services.

Why did you choose to get involved with the Miracle Bash/Swim for Melissa?

I was approached by my friend, Anna Manning, and jumped at the opportunity! I really do believe in this organization and I am honored to help. I have the luxury of visiting several non-profits in our community each year while conducting grant interviews, and none have stolen my heart the way this organization has!

Why do you think the mission of the Melissa George Fund is important to our community?

I think that the George family is remarkable and I think that their faith and strength is contagious. I know the primary focus of the Melissa George Neonatal Memorial fund is to raise funds for the NICU, but this organization also provides a support group to other families who have had children in the NICU.  

I have seen Amy George tell her story and then hold the hand of another mother while she struggled to tell hers. There are so many tears shed for each of those babies in the NICU and the Melissa George Fund provides a place for all those tears and emotions to turn into energy and passion. I'd like to think that every time the Melissa George Fund provides a new piece of life-saving equipment that each family heals a little bit more knowing more children will be saved.

What’s your favorite part of the Miracle Bash/Swim for Melissa?

I love the silent auction! I never realize how much I "need" until I shop the auction table!

What would you say to someone who’s never been to the Miracle Bash or Swim for Melissa?

I always say that the Miracle Bash is my favorite charity event in Huntsville! It is truly a fun event to go to and obviously, the cause is worthy one.

What kinds of things do you and your family like to do for fun?

Our daughter loves the ducks at Big Spring Park, so we go and feed them often.

Hostess Q&A - Chris Penney

Name: Chris Penney

Tell us a little bit about your family.

Zack and I have two children: Gaines, age 2.5 years, and Ruby, 2 months old.

How has your family been impacted by the Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund?

Gaines was born six weeks early and was in HH NICU for seven days. We were blown away by the amazing care we were given in our one week stay. We are forever grateful to all of the doctors and nurses who took such great care of our son in his first week of life.

Timothy Alaki Medina

Timothy Alaki Medina, at 1 day old

Alaki was born unexpectedly on May 16, 2010. He weighed 1 pound 12 ounces at birth and was only 13 inches long.

When he was 9 days old, we found out that he had a level 3 brain hemorrhage on the right side of his brain. Like any parent, I was frightened with terms I have never heard before, but with the loveable nurses and doctors at the Huntsville Hospital NICU you become well-educated. Without the help of those wonderful people I don’t know what I would have done.

He was on the ventilator for 11 days, then they moved him to a CPAP, then a nasal canula, which he was on for the longest. Every milestone that he met was another miracle, but then there was always a down side to every up. He had to get lumbar punctures or spinal taps every other day – if not every day – to keep the fluid off his brain because he was producing an excessive amount of cerebral spinal fluid and it could not be absorbed quickly enough. I would get a call every morning asking for permission to do the procedure, which is frightening getting a call from the hospital when you are expecting the worst. 

When he was 2 months old, he had his first surgery, which was putting a Ventricular-peritoneal shunt (VP shunt) in place. It runs from his head to his stomach to relieve the excessive fluid. During this time, all the staff at the NICU was so caring and was there for us when we needed someone to talk to about what was going on. They would listen and give advice.

Alaki, age 2

Alaki is now 2 years old and I will always support the NICU. I could not thank all the doctors and nurses enough for saving my little boy’s life. I thank God that he sent angels on this earth to have such big hearts for such little individuals.

By Jacklyn Holland

Hostess Q&A - Shelly Cagle

Name: Shelly Cagle

Tell us a little bit about your family.

I have been married for almost 15 years to Walker Cagle and we have two children: Savannah, 12 and Stephen, 10. We are both from Huntsville and went to Auburn.

How has your family been impacted by the Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund?

My daughter was on a team with Smith Wolford for about 4 years and really enjoyed raising money in different ways with her friends. They had car washes and even sold corn one time. I think the team name was Blossomwood Dolphins; they won two years in a row and had a blast at the hockey games all together.

Why did you choose to get involved with the Miracle Bash/Swim for Melissa?

Since my daughter was no longer participating I thought I would help in some other way. 

Why do you think is the mission of the Melissa George Fund is important to our community?

You just never know when some little one might need the help of the NICU and I want the services to be there for those sweet babies.  

What’s your favorite part of the Miracle Bash/Swim for Melissa?

I love that it teaches children to raise money to save children. 

What would you say to someone who’s never been to the Miracle Bash or Swim for Melissa?

That the program is unbelievable for all ages to see how the community comes together to help each other. 

What kinds of things do you and your family like to do for fun?

My family loves to have family movie night and play all types of sports together. We spend most spring and summer weekends at the lake, and we go to the beach about six times a year for family fun. 

Anything else you’d like to add?

War Eagle!