Seattle Children's Hospital - Radiothon

Thought I would let you know that Benson's story will be shared on the Jackie and Bender show during their 2 day radiothon to support Seattle Children's Hospital. You can tune into 106.1 on the radio, listen online or download the "i heart radio" app to your smartphone. Here is a link to the event if you're not familiar.  

http://www.kissfmseattle.com/pages/one_big_kiss/for_seattle_childrens.html

I will be speaking at approximately 8:15 on Wednesday morning but the fundraiser begins Tuesday morning. Below is the email I sent them and they've asked us to come share our story on the radio.  

I love this quote from Anne Frank "no one has ever become poor by giving."

We are fortunate to have SCH in our backyard. Seattle Children's Hospital helped save Benson's life!

A story that might bring in donations...


Dear Jackie and Bender,

I WILL NEVER FORGET a few years back when I made my first donation to SCH when listening to one of your emotional stories on the radio. I was on my way home from work and had to pull into a parking lot to make the call.

Fast forward to 2012

I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER the day I was driving into see my baby at SCH, my husband Erik had stayed the night with our son in his hospital room, and heard Bender state the number of children occupying the hospital at that time. My son was one of those children. You said if you have a healthy child at home hug them because you just never know. My eyes swelled and throat tightened. You are correct, not in a million years would I have thought that my son would spend the first 6 1/2 months of his life in the hospital. Gut wrenching to this day to think about his first several months of life!

Here is our story...

Benson Borgen was born almost four months early due to an unexpected placenta abruption. He weighed one pound seven ounces and was intubated immediately due to respiratory arrest.  He spent the first four months of his life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at UW Medical Center where we experienced the emotional rollercoaster of a micro-preemie.  As we approached the end of December, near his original due date, he finally was making "good" progress and had transitioned from a ventilator to CPAP.  Soon after we celebrated this huge milestone one of the worst case scenarios happened: he became sick with RSV.  To any healthy human this type of cold is not a major deal, but any baby born with chronic lung disease and a weakened immune system is life threatening.  Unfortunately what happened next is still a clear memory.  Benson got progressively worse - all that slow progress he made toward becoming strong enough to breathe on his own was not enough. On January 3rd Benson was intubated again, and during the procedure (my husband and I watching), we almost lost him.  I can still remember looking through the glass window seeing the numbers on the monitor drop and drop.  Thankfully Benson survived, but he was in a critical state, and beyond the capabilities of the UW NICU. I am forever grateful to the SCH transport team.  It took them over two hours to transfer him from the UW isolette to the transport isollette.  Every time they touched Benson his stats dropped and they had to back off.  The preciseness, interaction with us and courage they took to transport Benson from UW to SCH is still mind blowing even though it is only a mile away.  Fortunately Benson's hospital stay has a happy ending.  I realize this is not the case for all families.  Benson spent several more weeks in the NICU at SCH then spent several more weeks on the main floor.  Our happiest day came on March 20th, 2012 when Benson made his journey home.  Since then we've eliminated oxygen and a variety of medications.  He still has a feeding tube but thankfully this is something he will outgrow.  We are grateful to the staff at UW and SCH for helping our son make it home. 

Oh and one other important piece to mention is Benson was born on September 11, 2011.  Yes, our miracle baby brings hope and faith to so many that view 9/11 as a sad day.   

If my son's story can inspire someone to donate then please share.  Fortunately we had incredible insurance therefore money was never an issue.  However, adding that stress would have made for an even more unpleasant experience.

Whether I hear from you or not please know you can count on my donation this year! Thank you for making this fundraiser an amazing success year after year. My husband and I walked the halls at SCH numerous times passing your plaques with the monumental donations. Congrats!

 Sincerely,

Breanna, Erik and Benson Borgen

THANK YOU

for all the UW NICU donations

My goodness we received a lot of support for this cause!  Many from those we personally know and others who learned of our request through community support.  We are truly grateful for every contribution.  Over 500 dollars were used to purchase books and hundreds of books were collected.  I have heard from the UW coordinator that families are very appreciative.

We made two big deliveries. One in December and another last week. I remembered my camera on the first delivery only.  Seeing the staff that cared for our family was a major highlight!

 Lisa (one of our favorite nurses), me, Kass, Grammie

Lisa (and baby due in March), me, Lori (helped me organize the donations - blessed to know both these ladies)

Erik, Benson and I want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity! Living the NICU life is challenging and I know these books will give some peace.  

Deep appreciation,
Bre and The Boys :)

happy valentine's day

 Before you were born we dreamed of you, we imagined you, we prayed for you.  

Now that you are here we hope for you, we love you, we thank God for you.

first we had each other 

then we had you 

now we have everything

 

 

 

 

 Benson's first finger painting project! My favorite piece of art!

I have been a bit blog distant lately.  Benson's recent love/hate relationship with eating has had me quite stressed out.  It is very easy to have all my thoughts be consumed by his feeding plan. Thankfully a visit to SCH shifted my thinking.  Yesterday Benson went for some routine blood work.  As we sat in the waiting room I was quickly reminded of all our blessings.  Benson has come so far and I am extremely grateful for all the joy he has brought to our lives.

It seems appropriate to share a love story on such a day.  The reason I am able to care and love for this sweet boy is because of my incredible husband.  Rarely do I write too personal of things on this blog, and he might be embarrassed when he reads what has been posted, but I want to shout from the rooftops my love for Erik. I know most of our readers know our history but for those who don't, here is a little story.  In the summer of 2003, I attended a family friend's wedding.  I was escorted to my seat by a handsome man who caught my eye. I didn't have the courage to talk to him that day but definitely admired him from afar.  A few weeks later I was able to catch up with the newlyweds and mentioned my crush.  The couple went on and on and on about this young man named Erik.  I was sold and hadn't even spoken a word to him. Later that night Erik received a voice message from the recent groom telling him he had just met his wife.  On September 5th we had our first date and since then haven't missed a day talking.

"What a wonderful thought it is that some of the best days of our lives haven't happened yet."

xo bre and the boys

{ 16 months }

Benson recently turned 16 months.  He enjoys pulling himself up on most furniture around the house.  He has made incredible progress with his eating.  He sits in his highchair at least four times a day and is trying new foods all the time.  Morning waffles are becoming a routine! :)  He still receives formula through his gtube but we have an appointment with his dietician and pulmonologist next week and hope adjustments will be made.  Last week Benson went to the UW preemie follow up clinic.  Again we were blessed with the results.  Benson's cognitive and neurological results are within the normal range for his corrected age.  His corrected age is based on his original due date (he'd be approximately 1 year and 2 to 3 weeks).  The team was also pleased with his fine motor skills. Erik and I are always happy with his disposition.  He is the sweetest little guy!   

peek a boo

He is so easy to love and adore! I am incredibly blessed to wake up each morning with my amazing boys!

THANK YOU for the donations to the UW NICU library.  I will be making another visit to the Edmonds Bookshop very soon.  Erik and I plan to deliver the books at the end of January.  Soon after I'll share photos from our visit.

Thanks for your support and love! xo bre and the boys

Christmas on Camano

Many great memories that will be treasured forever! Happy New Year! xo bre and the boys

{ new year } { new photo }

This first picture will always remind me of Benson's story.  Starting this new year in a good place seems appropriate to replace it with one of my new favorites. We wish all of you a happy new year!

Love, bre and the boys

UW NICU Library Update

I plan to make the first delivery of books tomorrow night, Thursday December 20th.  Today Benson, Grammie and I went to the Edmonds Bookstore.  They were generous and gave us a 20% discount on our purchase.  We want you to know that we are still accepting donations.  I am happy to make more deliveries in the new year.   

This Christmas season is drastically diffrent from last year.  I am cherishing every moment.  Here are some pictures of my family getting in the Christmas spirit.

I remember reading this biblical passage last year during some of our most difficult days.  Our hearts go out to the victims and entire community in Newtown, Conneticitcut.

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12

Thanks for your support,
Bre and the Boys