The Story of Matt

“The Story of Matt” (by Edwin Chen, Dec. 7) brought back all the memories of our son’s birth. The first three lines described exactly what he looked like. The denial (this can’t be happening!), the fear (will he live?), the emotional highs and lows were all the same. He was born at 32 weeks, had severe hyaline membrane disease, open-heart surgery, jaundice that led to an 85% blood transfusion, and when we hoped we were in the home stretch, we thought he might have necrotizing enterocolitis.

The hours we spent in the neonatal intensive care unit, the caring of the nurses, the loving support of our families, being able to hold him for the first time (so afraid we’d hurt him), the fear we felt when we came in and saw his bed empty (he also had been moved to new quarters)--so many things were the same as in your story. Randy will be 9 years old in February. Thanks for reminding us once again of all we have to be thankful for.

Randall and Patricia Reams

Chino Hills