In 2018, we introduced you to little Kaci Robertson who was born prematurely in July of 2017, weighing less than two pounds. Kaci, the first child of Kim Johnson and Kal Robertson, spent the first 104 days of her life in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), at the Rawlco Centre for Mother Baby Care at the Regina General Hospital.
Today, Kaci is thriving at home on the family farm near Kincaid. She spends her days playing with the various animals on the farm, helping her dad with farm chores, and attending play school one morning each week.
“She was a little apprehensive around the animals at first,” explains Kim. “Now, she absolutely loves them, especially the cows. And she loves the kids at play school just as much. She’s a real social butterfly!”
It’s simply amazing to see how far Kaci has come since her life literally hung in the balance during her time in our NICU. She shows no after effects from the experience, including the two surgeries required to clear blockages in her bowels and colon.
“She’s done so well,” Kim continues. “She still has a hernia that may eventually require surgery, but that doesn’t slow her down at all. To look at her, you would never know she went through such a rough start four years ago.”
Kim remains tremendously grateful for the care and compassion demonstrated by the medical team at the NICU. She considers the team members part of her extended family, and vice versa.
“Honestly, I’m beyond grateful,” Kim explains. “The staff still checks on Kaci regularly, and they treat us like family. One of them even crocheted an Easter bunny for Kaci. They are just amazing!”
Not surprisingly, Kim encourages everyone to support the efforts of our NICU staff to help the 500 babies they see each year through Hospitals of Regina Foundation. By helping us ensure the medical teams have access to the latest technology and equipment, more babies will have positive outcomes, just like Kaci.
“It’s wonderful to hear how well children like Kaci are doing after their experience in our NICU,” says Lisa Green, vice-president, development, Hospitals of Regina Foundation. “Stories like Kaci’s remind us of the importance of our donors in keeping our NICU equipped with the best technology, in order to give children across southern Saskatchewan the best possible chance at overcoming their early health challenges and lead healthy, happy lives with their families.”