How do you deal?

I got discharged today while Bub did not. He'll be in the NICU for at least 10 more days.

Being home and seeing all of his things makes me want to just cry.

I feel very empty and awkward being home with only one of my children.

I want to spend all of my time at the hospital but my daughter needs me too.

I feel guilty for leaving Toby even though he is where he needs to be.

How do I deal with this?

I'm so sorry. My daughter is my one and only, so when she was in the NICU, I didn't have to juggle my time. I can't imagine that would be easy. I'm assuming your daughter isn't allowed in the NICU? I hope he gets to come home soon.

Quoting Squeaky McGee:" I'm so sorry. My daughter is my one and only, so when she was in the NICU, I didn't have to juggle my ... [snip!] ... I can't imagine that would be easy. I'm assuming your daughter isn't allowed in the NICU? I hope he gets to come home soon."

She's allowed there, but she's 5 and very rowdy and loud. She gets bored easily and likes to dance around the NICU floor lol.

How far away you from the hospital? Is there anyone who would be willing to watch her for you so you could go a little more often? I only have my son, [I had him at 35weeks&6days too!] we had to go to an out of state NICU but there was a Ronald Mcdonald house across the street. Maybe if there is a place near by, like a park, or a fast food place that has a play area she could use up some of her energy so you could go back for a little longer? I hope & pray that he won't have to be in there any longer then the ten days!

i just went through the same thing my son was born @ 34 weeks he was in the nicu for 12 days. i delt with it by keeping super buzy! i would spend most of my time at the hospital though. i have a 2 year old little girl, she stayed with grandma most of the time. i felt guilty for it yea but i always remembered that i will have a whole 16 more years to spend with her.. i did not know if i was going to have that much time with my son. i was scared soooo bad! he was on the cpap a feeding tube ivs a cathider and he was in a incubator.... i did not know what to expect.

Quoting MiniMansMamma:" How far away you from the hospital? Is there anyone who would be willing to watch her for you so you ... [snip!] ... so you could go back for a little longer? I hope & pray that he won't have to be in there any longer then the ten days!"

She's in grade 1,so I'll be able to spend the majority of my day at the hospital with him. Which I'm really thankful for. And my mom is willing to help me out as much as she can.

I just want the next two weeks to go as quickly as possible so I can have him home.

I am happy to hear that you do have some supportive people behind you!
I know what you mean about wanting him as soon as possible. For the first four days every morning the doctor told us another three or four days   it felt like we were never going to get out of there.
Does he need to stay for anything that you can help with -- like keeping body temp up or is it all medical?

Quoting MiniMansMamma:" I am happy to hear that you do have some supportive people behind you! I know what you mean about wanting ... [snip!] ... get out of there. Does he need to stay for anything that you can help with -- like keeping body temp up or is it all medical?"

On Friday I was told it'll likely be 10 days, maybe closer to two weeks.

He's actually really fantastic and is doing all that stuff on his own. His blood sugars, his temperature. His issue is his feedings. For the first few days he couldn't tolerate anything and kept puking it up. The past two or so he's gone from 3 mL to 27 mL (at his feeding at 6 PM this evening).

Basically it's just waiting for him to get up to his full feedings and gaining some weight. I was told 4.2 lbs was small for 35 weeks.

It was so hard for me. We lived an hour away from the hospital and we have a two year old. My SO was able to take a couple weeks off work so I could stay at the hospital with baby but when he returned to work, I had to stay home with our two year old. My youngest was in there for over 6 weeks. It helped me to call the NICU 3 times per day to check up on her, it would ease my mind for a couple of hours knowing she was okay. I also pumped for her so it felt good to know I was still able to do something for her when I was feeling so useless to her. We were able to go in from 7pm-11pm every night with SO got off work so that helped too. I hope your baby gets home soon. Big HUGS!!