Joe and I are very exciting to be celebrating Noah and Sam's First Birthday August 25th, I don't know how they are going to be one years old already. When we found out we were going to have twins we were completely shocked.  I had a great pregnancy and the boys were born at 36 weeks 5 days.  We thought since I went pretty far weeks wise with the boys that we would be able to bring them home from the hospital when I went home.  Well that was not the case.  

Joe and I could not bring our babies home with us when we left the hospital, and we were very concerned when the neonatologists at Winchester told us that Sam might have to have heart surgery at some point to close the hole in his heart.  Sam was diagnosed with a lower ventrical septum defect (a hole in his heart).  Noah came home first after 13 days in the NICU at Winchester Hospital.  Sam came home 6 days later.  Sam and Noah were home with us together for 4 days before, each of them were being rushed to Boston Children's Hospital.  Noah was taken there first with an unknown virus when he was only 3 weeks old.  Thankfully he was only there 5 days in the NICU.   However, those were the longest 5 days of our lives at least thats what we thought, until, Sam was rushed up there the same day that Noah came home.  Sam also had the same unknown virus.  It was a different scenario for him because he had a hole in his heart that still had not closed.  Sam ended up being at Children's hospital for a total time of 4 months.  He was in the NICU at Children's for a week then he was transferred to the cardiology floor for 3 months.   He had stomach surgery first, which, the doctors were hoping would help with his feeding, which it did initially, but the hole in his heart was still causing problems. Finally the cardiologists and other specialists that were seeing him decided to do open heart surgery.  We met with Dr. Salazar who was doing his surgery and he was absolutely amazing.  He took his time with us explaining the whole surgery in detail and answering all of our questions.  He gave us his personal cell number and email if we had questions at any time day or night.  We trusted him. 

Yes, Joe and I were terrified of our baby boy going through this surgery, but, we knew it had to be done and we were so blessed and thankful to have the best doctors and nurses at the World renowned Boston Children's Hospital.  Sam did amazing after his heart surgery, his feedings were coming along and he was gradually gaining weight.  It was heartbreaking for our family not to have him home for his first Halloween, Thanksgiving and inevitably Christmas. 

Finally our Sam came home the beginning of December.  We couldn't believe it, he was home with us and we could start being a family of five.  He was home for 6 days when he started showing signs of a cold.  I took him to the doctors and he tested positive for the Flu.  We just couldn't believe this poor baby's bad luck.  He again had to be taken to Boston Children's Hospital where he was put on life support to help his body fight off the flu.  After a week of being on life support and finally gaining strength, he spent another month on the 8th floor.  He wasn't gaining weight as quickly and the doctors talked about a feeding tube or NG tube which would be in his stomach.  It was very frustrating for all of us.  We just wanted him healthy to be able to take him home.  Finally his Cardiologist surgeon became involved in his case.  Dr. Salazar who did his open heart surgery really came to the rescue again.  He took over Sam's care.  On December 30th, he finally came home for good with a feeding tube thru his nose.  It was of course upsetting to us that he came home like that but he was home, that's all that mattered to us.  The feeding tube didn't last very long.  He ripped it out after day 1 then again a week later. His pediatrician and Cardiologist said it was Sam's way of telling us that he didn't need it and he was getting stronger and stronger every day.  Noah and Sam are healthy, happy baby boys and we are very grateful to have all the wonderful and extroidinary care of the staff, nurses and doctors at Boston Children's Hospital. 

I know it could have been a lot worse for the boys.  We met a lot of people and families that were in worse conditions than us.  Sam's first roommate on the cardiology floor was a little baby boy born 2 weeks before Sam and Noah.  His name was Logan and he had heart surgery and he was doing great, but he didn't have any family.  It was devasting seeing him , knowing that his mom or dad weren't coming in every day to hold him and love him.  It was heartwrenching.  The hospital has volunteers that come and hold babies and Logan was held alot as was Sam at night, when I couldn't be with him.  The nurses bought him clothes and Joe and I brought some in for him too. We hope he has a new home now.

We met another little boy who was having his fifth heart surgery in 4 years, his parents could be with him, but they left his baby sister at home with the grandparents.  He was very sweet to our Sam.  It was a rough journey for them as well. We met many other families who were going through similiar situations.

We had so much support from our familes and friends, it was overwhelming.  I never had to worry about who was going to watch Noah and Helena, because my mom did.  My mother in-law stayed with us for a month when the babies were first born and helped us immensley while I went to the Hospital for the day.  I always had someone to talk to about what I was feeling and the struggle of having one baby at home and the other one at the Hospital and always leaving Helena too.  Someone always checked on me everyday about the kids and Joe.  Family and friends sent us money to help with the parking and gas.  My Dad made me lunches to make sure I ate and to save money.  Joe and I will never forget any of the people that helped us through a very rough 4 months.

Many families didn't have half of what we have and they were doing it.  Day in and Day out.  Visiting their sick children or staying at the Hospital with them, making it work somehow.  The nurses,  social workers and doctors were our saviors and other families as well.  They took care of Noah and Sam as if they were their babies.  They took care of me when I was crying in sadness, frustration and anger.  We hated leaving Noah and Sam when they were there when we just couldn't stay with them.  If they were crying when we were leaving a nurse always came in to hold them.  We couldn't ask for better people to take care of our children. 

In honor of Noah and Sam's First Birthday we are doing a Fundraiser to help celebrate. Please consider donating to Boston Children's Hospital.  In lieu of cards or a second toy, perhaps a small donation to Children's Hospital.   We are very grateful for the care Noah and Sam received at the Hospital and have set a goal of $250.00.  All small donations add up.  Anything would be greatly appreciated, we just want to give back to the Hospital that saved Noah and Sam's lives, and many childrens around the World every day.  We are having the donations go to the NICU and the Cardiology Floor. 

 Thank you so much for any donation you can make.  Our hearts go out to you all for your help!

Love the Russo Family