The Gubala Family

Amy Gubala shares her family's experience in her 
own words:

"The story of our stay at the Ronald McDonald House in Providence doesn't have a happy ending, but I would still like to share it and express my gratitude for the Ronald McDonald House and staff that helped my family and I through a very difficult time.

I had a very difficult pregnancy and we knew from early on that our baby was very sick. It also became apparent as the pregnancy continued that our baby's chances of survival were very poor. Our son was born on April 9, 2009. He was immediately put on a respirator. They were able to stabilize him, but his prognosis was still grim. I had a c-section and was kept in the hospital for 5 days. I have a 4 year-old and he found the separation very difficult.

We were starting our second night at the House and we had put our son to bed and left him with my father in our room. My husband and I decided to pay a late night visit to the NICU, which was something we liked to do. When we got there the doctor informed us that they didn't believe my son would live until morning without extraordinary measures being taken which would only postpone the inevitable. So we made the decision to let him go. We gathered our family and in their loving presence and in our arms, my son died on April 16, 2009.

We went back to the Ronald McDonald House and we began to try and cope with our loss. We were allowed to stay for a few extra nights and I am so thankful for that time. I needed the time out. Also, my little angel was remembered with a candle that was put up in the entryway. It touched me deeply as did the kind consideration of the people there.

The Ronald McDonald House was much more than I expected and gave my family the opportunity to be together and to be near our youngest son. Thank you very much."

Next Story