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From Loss Rises Hope
Three local families suffered the tragedy of every parent’s worst fear.
In the process, they discovered the strength of support and are now using
their experiences to help others.
Expectant parents Laura
and Christopher Foy of
Brick were eagerly awaiting
the birth of twin girls when
Laura went into pre-term
labor, causing her to feel
contractions while only
in her second trimester.
Under the watchful eye
of her physician, Charles
Hux, M.D., a boardcertified
high-risk
obstetrician, Laura was
admitted to Jersey Shore
University Medical Center
After three weeks of bed
rest in the hospital, Laura
experienced severe
contractions, requiring
Dr. Hux to perform an immediate
C-section to bring babies Annabell and
Branna into the world. Born at 1 lb.,
6 oz. and 1 lb., 7 oz., respectively,
the babies were quickly transferred
to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
(NICU) at K. Hovnanian Children’s
Hospital at Jersey Shore.
An Unimaginable Loss
Caring for over 400 babies each
year, the NICU provides one of the
highest levels of care in Monmouth
and Ocean counties to critically ill
newborns and those at risk of
complications after birth. And in
the days following the birth of the
Foy twins, the NICU team worked
around the clock to give the newborns
their best chance of survival. However,
Annabell’s health took a turn for
the worse, and Laura and Chris faced
the unimaginable loss of one of
their baby girls.
"The day we lost Annabell was the
worst day of my life," confides Laura.
"The only comfort we had was that Branna was holding on, our family was
with us, and we had the unbelievable
expertise and support of the NICU staff.
I don’t know how they did it, but
somehow they made us feel better."
Under the constant care of her
dedicated medical team and her family,
Branna continued to grow stronger, and
after 103 days, she was healthy enough
to go home. While the Foys were with
Branna in the NICU, a nurse suggested
that they speak with Kim and Walt
Currie, another set of parents who
shared the same experience.
"We connected instantly," remarks
Laura. "The ability to share experiences
and feelings with someone who has
traveled the same path as you is an
incredible outlet."
Finding Solace in Support
The Foys soon met others who had
suffered the loss of a child, among
them Kristin and Jeff Belger, and
together, these parents had the idea
to expand the support system they’d
found in each other outward. So they established the "AANgels of
Hope" NICU Support Group,
named after the children the
founding parents lost:
Annabell, Ashlyn, and
Nathaniel. As Laura says,
"It is in their memories
that we want to share
hope with other families."
In collaboration with the
physicians, nurses, pastoral
care staff, and behavioral
health professionals at the
Children’s Hospital, the
group provides an extended
network of support to
comfort any family’s stay
on the NICU.
Michael Graff, M.D.,
medical director of the NICU,
appreciates the group’s efforts:
"With the high level of technology
and clinical expertise now available,
premature babies have a better chance
than ever for a healthy life. But caring
for the emotional needs of the family
is equally important."
AANgels of Hope has been actively
supporting many families on the
NICU, with group members making
themselves available in person, on
the phone, or via e-mail whenever
they are needed. With the hospital’s
assistance, the group has even created
a new Family Resource Room.
"Babies can be on a NICU for
months at a time, so you basically
move in," says Laura. "The doctors
and nurses become part of your
family, and you become part of
theirs. With the support group, the
whole ‘NICU family’ comes together
to take care of our own."
 – Michael Valentino
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