It's always a glorious time when new parents get to take their baby home from the hospital. On Friday, KELOLAND's Don Jorgensen got to share in that excitement as his brother-in-law and sister-in-law got to take their new baby Robby home.
Brad Janzen and Laura Rhodes have walked out of Sanford Hospital countless times over the last four months, but never with their new baby Robby.
"It's very surreal. I'm waiting for somebody to come down here and tell us we got to bring him back up there," Janzen said.
Robby's exit from the hospital is a far cry from the way he entered.
Because his mom had preeclampsia, a life threatening condition, doctors made the decision to deliver Robby immediately. He was 15 weeks early and weighed only two pounds.
Both dad and mom weren't sure if they'd ever see this day.
"After four months and two days in the NICU, it's just crazy to think finally he's coming home. It's amazing," Rhodes said.
"The waiting, the trips up here, the surgeries and stuff, you just don't know how all that stuff is going to play out," Janzen said.
"It's been tough. I've had my moments bawling," Rhodes said. "He was taken by emergency C-section. My life was at risk as well, so I'm very thankful for the staff here at Sanford."
"Amazing staff, everybody has been really good, walking you through stuff and explaining what's going to happen and what's going on and just a big thank you," Janzen said. "It means everything right now, just to be able to have him home and out of the hospital, more time with him, a complete family now."
Robby is doing fine and weighs almost eight pounds now. He will still require some tube feedings at home for awhile, but mom and dad say that'll be nothing compared to what their little fighter has been through.
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