26 - North Shors News — Wednesday, June 14, 2000 BABY Mitchell Ostler is held by nurse Cindy Lim (right) as nurse Sandy Farrell feeds a newborn at Lions Gate Hospital. “Native JEWELLERY ‘Weppwwe Rincs” . 444 ‘West 3rd Street, . orth Vancouver "988-9215 Sy LVAN LEARNING CENTER’ Success is learned” THE Seymour Area Youth Services Society _ has been given $5,500 to continue Nights _ Alive, its youth crime prevention program. The program provides youth with a safe place to enjoy - recreational activities and take parc in training opportunities. At the same time, they’re asked to look at ways they can take proactive steps against youth crime in their own com- eymour Area Youth .. Services Sociery’s Nights Alive ‘ program offers youth, a variety Preemie’s fight had happy Wese Vancouver residents Collette and Richard Ostler recently became parents to a premature baby. The following is their account of one family’s happy day: SOMEONE once told us they were born 15 minutes late and spent the rest of their life catching up. Qur son doesn’t have to worry about that. He was born seven weeks early. Mitchell Langdon Ostler was delivered at Lions Gate Hospital on April 9, a far cry from his due date of May 28. We don’t know why the funded of late-night activities and pro- grams in existing community ties. They can take part in sports, go to supervised dances, learn hife skills and take part in lead- ership, conflict resolution and mentoring pro; - Nights Alive isa Ministry of Attorney General program that ~ gives youth the tools and skills they need to mect the chal- lenges of growing up. Since spring 1997,- more than 10,000 young people have participated in Nights’ Alive programs in over 60 communities throughout Shop early al at any Wear Else? location a Jor the beat selection! . rest change in dates, but he was nicely in a hurry. He arrived after about nvo hours of labour weighing 2,020 grams = {just over — four pounds). As quickly as he arrived, he lett with a team of nurses and doctors to the Spe Nursery. He was placed in a warm, oxygenated isolette with sen- sors attached to his chest, arm and foot. An IV was inserted into his forehead to provide fluids and nourishment and UV lights were shining on his tiny body to treat jaundice, common with newborn babies. It wasn’t the friendliest welcome for this new kid or his apprekensive first-time parents. But despite the bright lights, tubes, wires and constant beeps from the many monitors, this was our son’s new home for awhile. Although we were hesitant about teaving our son at the hospital, it quickly”. became obvious that he was in good hands. The nurses were always caring, supportive and opti mistic even at stressful and uncertain times. We can’t say | enough about the staff at Special Care Nursery. They’re the best in the business. _ For. the next few weeks, the doctor’s orders were sim- ple — Mitchell needed to gain weight. It was like the stock market, up was good. and. t Care - down was well... not so good. Mitchell's “stock” quotes quickly became the bench- mark for performance among family and friends. Nurses, parents, and grandparents were tracking stats daily. Bur like the stock market, there are ups and downs. In Mitchell's case, he lost about 10% of his body weight in his first week. The nurses reassured us - that it was normal for babies. -to Jose weight at the begin- ning. - After that first week, © Mitchell rebounded like a high-growth stock. He gained ©: about 20 to 30 grams a day. : As his progress improved, he grew stronger, breathed eas er, and was able to feed with- out a tube. When he gained a record 45 grams on. Easter Sunday we knew he was ‘om ing home. After 25 days in the asp tal nursery, Mitchell :came home’ happy, healthy ‘and:'a trim 2,250 grams (five Ib.).-:: We feel lucky to have be at Lions Gate Hospital. « The staff was excellent, particular, we would: like: to thank the Special Care. nurses: for. providing: outstanding care-and support to our.son, and making the time we spent ar the hospital -a ‘surprising! positive and ‘happy. xXperi: ence. < : All of you gave every. day. ‘North Shore: ar _ blessed tO; porating some ver ing ont ligh ‘house in a Beatie ve love. The house h: as many existing fixtures’ and materials as ‘possibl Thoroughly sourcing mat ~ forward to. the challenge but. - alittle bit apprehensive at the’same time. With’ som -* good advice from friends: ‘ who fave been through the trials and tribulations of.a ~~ renovation I’m hoping’ we will survive this one. “Nor all Fenovations are ~ stressful,” I tald my hus band. :