Having a baby in the NICU is an extremely difficult situation for parents. All any parent wants is for their child to be happy, healthy, and home. That journey is longer for some than others. For Ricki Ann Gandy and Jeremy Sullivan, it would take 10 months to get their baby boy, Oliver, home.
Ricki Ann gave birth to Oliver at just 25 weeks pregnant at DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Their baby boy weighed just 1 lb., 8 oz. at birth and was 12½ inches long.
Doctors were clear with Ricki Ann and Jeremy that Oliver would have a long road ahead of him. His lungs needed to do some serious development before they would work properly.
As the family got used to their new normal, Jeremy realized one NICU nurse always seemed to be by Oliver's side. That nurse was Savannah Galloway. She proved to be Oliver's best buddy for his entire 10 months in the hospital. Now she's his godmother.
Ricki Ann Gandy's pregnancy took an unexpected turn when she went into labor at just 25 weeks pregnant. She delivered her son, Oliver, at DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He weighed 1 lb., 8 oz. at birth and was 12½ inches long.
"The doctor, Rees Oliver, told us from day one that he was a very sick little boy and it was going to take a long time to get his lungs where they needed to be," Ricki Ann told Good Morning America.
Oliver's dad, Jeremy Sullivan, split his time between the NICU and Ricki Ann's room as she recovered. When he visited Oliver, Jeremy noticed one particular nurse was always by his baby boy's side.
The nurse tending to Oliver was Savannah Galloway. She's been a NICU nurse for five years. Savannah says that all her NICU babies hold a special place in her heart.
"There was just something about Oliver, I don’t know what it was exactly," Savannah said. "His story is very unique."
Ricki Ann got to meet Savannah once she was back on her feet. Instantly, the two women bonded.
"Every night that she worked she would be in his room whether she was his nurse or not," Ricki Ann recalled. "We started calling her Oliver’s NICU mom."
After five months at DCH Regional in Tuscaloosa, Oliver was transferred to UAB Hospital in Birmingham. It was emotional for Ricki Ann and Jeremy. They had to say goodbye to the staff who had cared for Oliver for so long. There would be no goodbyes with Savannah, who stayed in touch.
"She gave me her number and told me if you ever need anything to let me know," Ricki Ann remembers.
Oliver faced some struggles after arriving at UAB, unfortunately. After experiencing a pulmonary hypertension crisis, the 5-month-old had to be placed on a ventilator.
"It was really, really touch and go," Ricki Ann said.
Oliver remained on the ventilator until he was 7 months old. He was then able to start his physical, speech, and occupational therapy with the nurses. Ricki Ann and Jeremy considered themselves blessed that Oliver had another wonderful team of nurses.
"He learned that if he pulled the prongs out of his nose that his machine would beep and the nurses would come in," Ricki Ann said of Oliver's time there.
"When they came in he would always smile. He was a big flirt."
Meanwhile, Savannah was still checking in. Coincidentally, she discovered she lived right down the street from Ricki Ann and Jeremy. She and her husband, Jake Galloway, even surprised them a few times by leaving supplies outside that they needed. Savannah and Jake would even go to UAB to see Oliver.
Ricki Ann and Jeremy were so appreciative of everything Savannah and Jake had done for them and for Oliver. When it came time to pick godparents for Oliver, the choice became obvious for Ricki Ann and Jeremy. The Galloways were the perfect fit.
"They filled those shoes before we ever made it official," Ricki Ann said. "We said if we had to choose anyone to be his godparents we would definitely want it to be them. We have just fallen in love with their family."
Savannah described being asked as an "extremely emotional" event after all of her time caring for Oliver and getting to know his family. "Of course, we said yes," she said. "It’s such an honor. That’s a big deal. They’re like family to us now."
After 10 months in the NICU, Oliver was finally able to head home with Ricki Ann and Jeremy on April 8. UAB nurses gave him a beautiful send-off. For Oliver's mom and dad, the best part is watching him get to experience all that life has to offer, from meeting his grandparents for the first time to seeing the outdoors.
"As a mom, it’s hard to watch your child go through that," Ricki Ann said. "If it weren’t for God this little boy wouldn’t be here."
Savannah and Jake now get to visit Oliver at home, which they do every other day. "We’ll forever and always be a part of his life," Savannah said.
"We’re blessed that they shared their little miracle with us. Our lives have been changed for the better by that sweet baby and his parents."
