Patient Stories

A Work Trip That Changed Everything

Two days into a quick business trip from Long Island to Ohio, cramping in a hotel gym sent Elyse to the ER. She was in active labor. The first hospital was a Level II facility. After an emergency C-section, a transport team moved Carmine to UC Medical Center’s Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)—equipped for very preterm babies.

It was 9:07 p.m. Elyse stayed behind—recovering, stunned, and suddenly alone in a new city.

Meanwhile, her husband Justin was 600 miles away. When he got the call that Elyse was in labor, he booked the next flight out. But just as his plane was about to take off, a photo came through—Carmine was here. For the next three months, Justin would board that same flight every Friday, spending weekends in Cincinnati before flying back to New York on Sunday nights.

Then came the second surprise: Carmine would likely stay until his mid-October due date. Going home wasn’t an option. Elyse would need to stay in Cincinnati—find a place to live, learn a new routine, and figure out NICU life on the fly.

Learning to be His Mom

Three days after giving birth—late in the evening—Elyse was finally discharged from where she’d had her C-section. When she arrived to UC Medical Center, the team was ready. “Mom, you’re here—hold him.” It was the first time.

Expert care came wrapped in kindness. In the UC Medical Center NICU, nurses and therapists showed Elyse how to parent a preemie—gentle touch, diaper changes around wires and leads, what the beeps meant, and how to take part in Carmine’s care—while protecting the most important role: she was his mother, and he knew her.

A Team That Brought Her In

Every morning, a big care team rounded at Carmine’s bedside. They welcomed Elyse, explained the plan, and translated medical terms into everyday language. As soon as she could, she arrived before 8 a.m. to hear night updates and help set goals for the day. The team encouraged it.

When Justin was in town, he joined rounds too—learning alongside Elyse, holding Carmine close, and becoming part of the daily rhythm that carried their family forward.

Three Months of Tiny Wins

Carmine did the “preemie things”—good days and hard ones. There were slow-heart-rate spells (“bradys”) and scary monitor alarms, and there were steady steps forward. Clear, honest updates helped Elyse brace for both.

Outside the unit, March of Dimes classes and support groups connected her with other families and real stories of hope. With an apartment near the hospital, weekend help from family, and even a nurse-made list of nearby walking paths, Elyse found a rhythm.

In just under three months—from July to October, Carmine learned to breathe, feed, and grow. Discharge day was pure joy and a little bittersweet; the people who taught Elyse how to be his mom felt like family.

One Year Later: Light and Life

Carmine turned one in the summer of 2025—and specialists say he “doesn’t look like a 29-weeker.” He’s thriving. The family navigated very “preemie” things—a hernia repair, tough reflux, and treatment for probable early-onset asthma—using the skills and confidence built in the NICU. The NICU will always be part of their story, but it doesn’t define their future.

What Helped Their Family (for Parents in it Now)

• Show up for rounds. Being there early let Elyse hear night updates and help shape the plan.
• Ask for plain language. The team was happy to translate complex care into clear steps.
• Trust your instincts. You are your baby’s parent—your voice matters.
• Find your people. Classes and support groups offered connection and real hope.
• Celebrate tiny steps. Small wins add up.

Why a Level III NICU Mattered for Carmine

A Level III NICU means specialized teams, advanced monitoring, and coordinated plans that change as fragile babies learn to breathe and feed. At UC Medical Center, that academic expertise felt personal and immediate—connected care you can feel when your baby needs it most.

"Cincy, We’re Coming Back"

In September 2025,  the Careres came back to Cincinnati—to walk the NICU halls, hug the care team who carried them, and then trade Jets green for Bengals stripes. If you’d asked Elyse on that first trip last year, she never would’ve guessed Cincy would hold such a place in their hearts. Now it’s their second home, and they can’t wait to come back.