Family Stories – Matthew Paul Welsh
Our amazing gift from God arrived at 1:03 in the morning. Our little boy needed a lot of extra care due to the fact he was early and needed help to breathe. He went to the wonderful NICU here at Moses Taylor where they took great care of him. I stayed by his side most of the time not wanting to be away from him also to make sure his treatment was right. Although my room was not near him and I could barely walk due to very severe case of swollen legs managed with a wheel chair. My stay was extended a few days because I could not walk. However I did finally get discharged even though I couldn’t get around. That was a scary moment for me.
We live a little over a hour away from here. I knew I couldn’t drive because there would be no way to press gas pedal or brake of my car my legs had 20 pounds of extra in them. A social worker had to me about a Ronald McDonald House up the road that I could stay at to be closer to Matthew. She also told me not to worry about driving that someone at the house would pick and take me back to the Hospital whenever I wanted to come back. My husband was at work in NY at the time of my release As I was not expecting to go home on that day. A wonderful guy with a big smile named Mike came to pick me up and all my bags. I had a lot of stuff with me. He must have thought I was moving in permanently. We drove back to the house upon arrival I was greeted by Joe who showed me to my room that was clean and so comfortable. I was in tears the minute I sat in the bed it was just like my bed at home. I told Joe a little bit about Matthew through my tears I was overwhelmed to have left my son even if it was only for 10 minutes.
I was given the key to the house and my room and told to make myself comfortable to help myself to anything in the kitchen and if I needed to do laundry it was right down the hallway. Then Michael took me right back to the hospital. By that evening my husband and brother brought my car to me. By the next day I was able to drive myself to the hospital. They would continue to see if I needed a ride or if I needed anything else. I met the rest of the staff at the Ronald McDonald House in Scranton. The following day they were all wonderful. My husband and kids came and spent a few nights as well to be able to spend time with Matthew.
I left early in the morning and usually arrived after 12 at night 18 hour days at the hospital were my normal if I didn’t need to shower and change my clothes I wouldn’t have left at all. The elevator back at the house at the end of the night was fast becoming my friend. I couldn’t do steps yet at all. My room was on the 2nd floor. My head would hit the pillow and I was out. The Ronald McDonald House gave me peace not to worry about anything except my son. I will always be grateful for being able to stay there. Matthew spent his very first night there upon leaving the hospital just in case of anything we felt it better to be close by rather then an hour away. If you know someone who is in need of a place to stay or you yourself need a place use the home it was wonderful. The Welsh Family will always be in debt to the Scranton Ronald McDonald House. Thank you to everyone who helped make our journey home possible.
Patrice Welsh and family