Blake Wheeler

Blake and his twin brother, Noah, were born 14 weeks premature and weighed just over a pound each and measured less than 12 inches.  If you can imagine, they were smaller than a ruler and about the same weight as a pound of butter.  Babies born this early have an 80-90% chance of survival, unfortunately we were placed in the 10-20% of those who don’t, and Noah passed away on day 13 after complications from surgery. The road of a premature baby can encompass many complications including immature lungs, brain bleeds, pneumonia, apnea or irregular breathing, Patent Ductus Arteriosus which is a cardiac disorder that causes breathing difficulties due to an open blood vessel, and Retinopathy of Prematurity – a potentially blinding eye disorder and the potential for many infections.  Blake experienced every one of these complications and spent a total of 110 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.  I held him for the first time when he was 46 days old.  Each day brought its own challenges and we never knew when we walked through those hospital doors what was in store for us.  Thankfully we live in Saskatoon and had the support of family and friends through this difficult time.  We spent many nights pacing the hallways of the hospital and sitting vigil at Blake’s bedside, just hoping the praying that things would work out and that he would be well enough just to hold him for one minute, and that he would have a chance at life.  Blake had a total of three surgeries, numerous infections, IV’s and feeding tubes before he was able to come home.  At the innocent age of 4, I am so thankful that he will never remember anything he had to endure during his time in NICU.  We brought him home August 18, 2006, two weeks past his original due date still only weighing 5lbs 9oz.

 

The doctors told us that there was a chance that Blake may have some bumps along the way, he may not talk, he may not walk, he may be delayed in his motor skills and milestones, but he has proved them all wrong and today is a very healthy happy normal three year old boy.  Still a little small for his age, he walked at a year, he talked at 18 months and he loves to climb, play outside and read stories, he’s your typical 4 year old and his favorite character is Spiderman.  We are very blessed that he is here with us today, and even more blessed that he is healthy.   Two years ago, Blake was chosen as a Champion Child along with 15 other kids in Saskatchewan to participate in the Mike Weir Miracle Gold Drive for Kids.  Today he proudly wears his T-shirt and medal that Mike Weir presented to him on June 24.  That event raised almost 1.2 million dollars to support the children’s hospital here in Saskatchewan. 

We are very excited that Saskatchewan will soon have a dedicated Children’s Hospital.  During our time in the NICU, we took note of the things that would have made Blake’s time there more comfortable.  For instance, when Blake was only four days old, he was placed on a jet ventilator that pumped 120 breaths a minute into him because his lungs were so badly underdeveloped.  The hospital does not own this machine, rather they rent it from a hospital in the States.  There were a few times when the equipment needed was not readily available and there is nothing more scary than seeing your child quit breathing. Also, the current facility is cramped for space and there is not a lot of room for parents to visit with their babies. The new and improved neonatal is only a part of what a children’s hospital would mean to Saskatchewan.  The children’s hospital would serve all babies, toddlers, children and young adults.  A place where kids who are sick can be treated but still feel like normal kids.

A children’s hospital will help bring specialized physicians and equipment to our province.  Fortunately we did not have to travel out of province for medical treatment for Blake, however, during our time in NICU we met many families who had to travel to Edmonton or Calgary for a variety of reasons and treatments.  Traveling out of province is both very expensive and stressful when you don’t have your family near during those tough times.

It’s a parent’s worst nightmare when you have a sick child.  And it seems unnatural and so very wrong to be predeceased by your own child.  Never did I think that I would need a children’s hospital, or that I would have been faced with dealing with a sick baby or child.  And I think that’s the biggest message here today, you never think it’s going to be you or happen to someone that you know.   It’s always someone else…in our case it was us.   I hope that none of you ever have to experience what we have experienced, but if you ever do need it, it will be there.