11 Nov Gianchetta Family Story

We welcomed our fourth and final baby into the world, at 36 weeks. We went home 72-hours after he was born and began our journey with our newest edition. At 2-weeks old we discovered that he was jaundiced, and had to be admitted into the NICU, where we spent a few days there, and then we got to go home two weeks after that. Soon after, we began a journey we NEVER expected. Our 4-week-old baby boy had gotten RSV and had to be taken by ambulance to St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital in Boise. He was doing okay, but eventually got worse, and was sent to PICU, where we were told he was VERY sick, and things were not looking good for him! Though no stranger to being parents, this was our first time dealing with a situation like this. I had three other children over an hour away at home with their dad, and I was alone and struggling with postpartum, and thoughts of losing our sweet little boy.

Two days after being in the PICU with our sweet baby having to be intubated and on life support, a social worker came in to see how I was doing. She asked me if I had heard about the Ronald McDonald House, which I hadn’t. She told me a bit about it, and asked if I might like to go over there for a shower, and to pump, and store milk. Let’s be honest, she had me at shower! At this point it had been five sleepless days and nights, of me NOT leaving our baby’s side. Upon my arrival to the RMHC of Idaho House, I was greeted with kind eyes, thoughtful smiles, and a warm welcome. Once we did our intake information, I was elated to know that my husband and three other children were allowed to stay at the House as well! We could bond and be on this journey together and take turns going over to the hospital to be there with our newborn, while he fought to stay alive and get better.

Our little boy fought so hard and kicked RSV’s butt! Once we were released from the hospital, we had to stay at the RMHC of Idaho House while he received services, medical treatment and such, that he couldn’t get if went back home. We would journey around the House in the wagon with his feeding pump, making friends with the staff, and they all got to watch his journey to going home! We spent seven and a half weeks at the House before we finally were discharged!

I wish I could say our journey ended there but, alas, it did not. Soon after, our ten-year-old daughter was admitted to the hospital. She had to have a procedure done to hopefully give us some answers as to what may be going on health-wise. Thankfully I knew about RMHC Idaho from our previous “adventure” and was able to get she and I a room, while we waited for results. We were thankful to have a place to stay where we could focus on staying busy, getting labs, and other medical needs. On September 1 we got the news we did NOT want to receive. She was diagnosed with a one-in-a-million kidney disease called C3GN. Little did we know, we would be in for a journey of a lifetime. Over the course of the last year, we have stayed at the RMHC of Idaho House many, many, times, while she has had countless labs, numerous kidney infusions, among other things. Our time at the House included Christmas, where the staff at RMHC of Idaho went above and beyond to make sure not only hers, but her three younger siblings, Christmas wishes would come true. I honestly cried, because I didn’t know how to explain Santa not coming to her three younger siblings, because their sister was sick. 

Every time we check in for our stays at the House, we are greeted by staff that know us by name and face. They always ask about little brother and how he is doing. To which I am SO eager and happy to show off just how much he has grown and flourished! Our stays will continue at RMHC of Idaho while we wait for the journey of new kidneys to happen! We will always be indebted to RMHC of Idaho and what they mean for families like ours. Without them, I don’t think I would’ve been able to cope with everything that has been handed our way over the last two years, and much more to come!