Acknowledgements

In the past few months, several people have suggested that I should convert this blog into a book. After all it is essentially Maggie's biography (Maggie would like to stress, an unauthorized biography and her rep has maintained Maggie never knowingly took steroids). This blog was created out of necessity to keep everyone informed as Sue and I have been incommunicado in the NICU, and while I have tried to keep the mood light with sarcasm and jokes, it has also helped us keep track of Maggie’s care, and as you can guess, while much has been revealed here, often times we censored some items due to their serious nature. I am also not sure I could handle writing this book, I think my style is more suited towards comedy, not so much drama. However, if this were to become a book, this would be the section at the end, Acknowledgements.

Sue and I have so many people to thank and I am sure we are bound to forget some people to which I apologize in advance.

First, we have to thank our parents (first time grandparents both). You've provided us with everything we've needed, including advice and support.

To our brothers and sisters (Carol, Jay, Karen, Michelle and Tony) who have provided us with food, lawn and house maintenance, cars, parking stickers, signs and encouragement.

To the rest of our family for the clothes, books, music and their support.

To Steve, for his wonderful story on a gambling dentist gone good, it’s not a common children’s book theme, but a children’s book nonetheless.

To my dealer, Rob, everyone should know someone who can get them a few kilos… of gummi worms.

To Rob and Steph G, for the email that helped guide us those first few weeks.

To everyone who read this blog and kept sending us their support.

To anyone who made Sue smile and laugh these past few months.

To our friends who have provided us with an endless supply of food and restaurant gift cards.

To the people who took the food thing one step further and left beer, non alcoholic for Sue of course.

To Sue's friends who did all the research and registering for all the baby stuff we would ever need.

To the Milton Fighting Irish which allowed me a few hours of distraction this summer.

To the architects of the Fighting Hellfish Baseball Club, an amusing distraction, I am sure to get Maggie her own uniform.

To everyone who sent and dropped off clothes, Maggie will be the best dressed girl in town.

To everyone who kept inviting us places even though we were going to say no.

To everyone who had us in their thoughts and prayers and entered us into prayer groups.

To Sue’s coworkers for your understanding and patience.

To my friends at work, for covering for me when I needed more time at the hospital at absolutely zero notice.

To Matty, Billy, Lisa and Rich who made me laugh a lot. Sadly I think all the news I learned the past few months I learned through Billy's Entertainment Update.

To the chaplains and priests at St. E’s, especially Martha.

To the Labor & Delivery staff at St. E.’s, especially Nurse Julie, Nurse Tara, Nurse Cara, Nurse Eileen, Nurse Siobhan, Dr. B., Dr. R and Dr. C

To the NICU staff (Deb, Jodi, Sam, Lauren, Dr. H, Michelle, Kristen, Emily, Dr. R etc) at Childrens and their surgical team, especially Dr. E.

To the neonatologists in the NICU; Dr. An, Dr. Ag, Dr. H, Dr. T, Dr. Go, Dr. R, Dr. L, Dr. B, Dr. K, Dr. Gu, & Dr. J.

To the support staff and therapists at the NICU, Dawn, Pat, Jackie, Gina, Emma, Emily and Andrea et al.

To the respiratory Staff at the NICU, Michelle, Brian, John, Jim, and Justine

Once again, there are not words to describe the following group of nurses. There are so many I am bound to forget a few of you which I truly deeply apologize. Gret, Deb, Michelle, Maureen, Terri, Amy, Jen M, Jen B, Miriam, Trish, Deb, Judy, Mary Pat, Bonnie, Suja, Sue, Maura, Cathy E, Laurie, Kathy O, Cheryl, Cheryl G, Charlene, Mary Sh., Tess, Sheila, Linda, Phyllis, Marie, Marlene, Debbie, Kathy L., Louise, Clair, Ellen Marie, Kathy S & Mary T.

To Karen & Priscilla, Maggie’s NICU aunts, for all of Maggie’s baths, the fashion shows, the costume changes, the advice, the humor and the tough love.

To Mary St., Maggie’s primary nurse, I am sure any of the above nurses would have made a great primary nurse, but I am glad it was you who shepherded (Lamb reference for Sue) us through the last few months. You worked overtime, vacations and your days off, your 12 hour shifts often turned into 14 hour marathons. You’ve taught us more than we could have ever possibly learned in a book. And if there was any possible way we could feel comfortable not being at Maggie’s side, it was because you were working. We are forever in your debt.

As you can imagine, the last few months have tested Sue and I. It’s at times like these that people rely on faith, and that some higher power above them can guide them through these times. And I believe at times these past few months, we have caught some breaks and there had to be some sort of intervention.

So if you are up there…

Thank You…

Superman

And to anyone else we may have forgotten, Thank you.

Sue, Phil & Maggie