Tyler's care

I got pregnant in the middle of March 1996, and was 35 years old. I was to deliver at Middlesex Hospital, until our OB/GYN found out in the last ultrasound that the baby was missing a valve in his urethral tube leading to the kidney. Our doctor referred us to Yale-New Haven Hospital because of its expertise in the care of premature babies born with medical problems.

Our son was born December 22, 1996, at Yale-New Haven’s Labor and Delivery ward. The nice and friendly nurses and staff made us feel at home. The Newborn Special Care Unit doctors and nurses were in the delivery room waiting to assess our baby boy. After they cleaned him and were ready to take him to the Newborn Special Care Unit, they placed him on my chest. We named our beautiful baby Tyler. Then he was brought to the Special Care Unit to be cared for by Dr. Ehrenkranz and his specially trained staff. Dr. Ehrenkranz called in the urologist, Dr. Robert Weiss, who also followed and cared for our son Tyler.

I was brought up to my room to rest, so my husband Ken went to the Special Care Unit to see our baby and find out how he was doing. He learned that Dr. Ehrenkranz had decided to call in the pediatric cardiology unit because our son Tyler wasn't getting enough oxygen. The pediatric cardiology unit assessed Tyler and found that he had a hole in the upper chamber of his heart inbetween the walls. My husband returned to my room crying and telling me that a pediatric cardiologist was on the way upstairs to talk to us about it.

The doctor arrived, but before he even entered the room, I asked if our son Tyler was going to die. The doctor told us, "No.” He said he would have tests done and that he would need to be monitored as he grew. When Tyler reached the age of one or two, corrective surgery would be necessary. Our son stayed in the Special Care Unit for one week—Christmas week. Santa Claus found him and brought him a nice little rattle, which made my husband and me very happy. We thought, how wonderful that Yale-New Haven Hospital would do something like that for all the children in the hospital. Ever since that time, Tyler, my husband and I collect loads of toys throughout the year and bring them to the Toy Closet so that all the children can have toys on Christmas. Then we visit Dr. Babar in the atrium for lunch and make a wish for all the children to get better.

For four years, we have developed many relationships and friendships with the caregivers at Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital. We met Dr. Robert Weiss and his staff—such nice people (especially Cathy, Dr. Weiss' head nurse). In pediatric cardiology, Dr. Hellenbrand and all the radiology techs, Dr. Kopf, nurse Katherine Kenny, Dr. Kleinman and all the staff of the PICU made us feel comfortable and provided excellent care for Tyler. We always knew our son Tyler would be safe with them. I will always remember their closeness and kindness forever! We also met Dr. Brueckner, a cardiologist who has provided ongoing care for Tyler.

Now when we visit Yale-New Haven, it feels like a family outing. We see the “techs,” doctors, nurses, eat with Dr. Babar in the atrium, make wishes in the fountain and have lunch. We bring toys for the pediatric patients in December and bring our friends gifts for the holidays.

Thank you Yale-New Haven for being a big part of our lives. Most of all, thank you for saving our son Tyler who is four years old now and a healthy little man.

Lynn, Ken and Tyler Beemer
Deep River, Conn.