Family Spotlight: The Wood’s Family

For as long as she could remember, Charlotte Wood wanted to be a mom. She was overjoyed to learn that her dream would finally come true and eagerly anticipated her due date in early January of this year. But as is oftentimes the case, babies and calendars don’t go hand-in-hand and Elizabeth Anne made her grand entrance 12 weeks early. As the little princess tipped the scales at a mere 1 lb. 11oz. with a lengthy hospitalization anticipated, a social worker suggested to Charlotte that she check into staying at the Ronald McDonald House. Because her only exposure to a Ronald House was the donation canisters she’d seen at area McDonald’s, she really didn’t know what to expect. Her initial concern that the facility would consist of one large room with rows of cots soon vanished as she walked through the doors for the first time. “It really exceeded my expectations! I immediately felt at home”, she said.

The days turned into weeks as little Elizabeth slowly began to gain weight. “It felt like it took forever for her to finally join the “3 pound” club. And the day she did, I came “home” from the hospital to find my bedroom door had been decorated by the staff with streamers and balloons to commemorate her first major milestone”.

“The House was so much more than simply a place to eat and sleep…it was my haven at the end of a long day. In the beginning, ‘veteran’ parents’ advice and explanations were invaluable. When your child is in the hospital, you learn a whole new language, so spending time talking to people who also speak that same language is such a help.”

Before checking out of the Knoxville House after a 3-month stay to visit family on the Gulf coast, doctors cautioned Charlotte that Elizabeth could be facing a future heart surgery but, ever the optimist, she bundled up the little princess knowing what strong medicine the love and hugs from grandparents could be.

But before she could get too spoiled, some respiratory problems led to pneumonia and Charlotte found herself staying in her second RMH in Mobile, Alabama. A week later, Elizabeth was transferred back to a private room at Children’s Hospital where mom could stay right by her side. It was then that she chose to utilize our House for day use where laundry, hot meals, a shower, and loads of encouragement were only 3 blocks away.

When it was finally determined that only a risky heart surgery could fix her up once and for all, this well-traveled 8-month-old headed for Vanderbilt Hospital where Charlotte and her family found themselves needing their 3rd Ronald House for a nearly 2 month stay.

Happily, everyone is home now in Townsend, Tennessee, with Elizabeth having just celebrated her 1st birthday a few weeks early. Doctors had warned Charlotte to keep her isolated during the upcoming RSV season as this respiratory ailment can be quite
threatening to premies.

Amid the birthday festivities more than a few tears were shed in grateful appreciation for the daunting medical challenges the little princess has faced…and conquered. (Anyone wishing to read more about these 2 remarkable young ladies can visit their web site www.caringbridge.org/visit/elizabethannewood.)