HEARTBEAT A publication of Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Metro St. Louis
SPRING/SUMMER 2012 • 314.773.1100 • WWW.RMHCSTL.COM
Lula’s Story
METRO ST. LOUIS
ALI AND BILL HELLEBUSCH FOUND COMFORT AND CARE AT THE RONALD McDONALD HOUSE AFTER THE BIRTH OF THEIR NEW BABY, LULA In January 2012, Ali and Bill Hellebusch were getting ready to have their first baby. But during an ultrasound a week after Ali’s 34-week check-up, doctors discovered that the baby would be born with a diaphragmatic hernia, an abnormal opening in the diaphragm that allows organs from the abdomen to move up into the chest. Soon after, Ali and Bill traveled from their home in Washington, Missouri, to see a specialist in St. Louis, where a fetal non-stress test revealed that Ali would need to deliver within the hour. Just a few short hours later, their baby,
Lula, was transported to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. Bill stayed at the NICU while Ali recovered from surgery, but it was difficult for her to be away from her newborn baby. “It was very scary,” says Ali. “She was so critical, I didn’t think I was going to see her again.” As soon as Ali was able to leave the hospital, she joined Bill to be close to Lula. One day later, the couple moved into the Ronald McDonald House on Park Avenue, just a block away from
Lula Hellebusch, 2 weeks
the hospital. According to Ali and Bill, staying so close to Lula and the NICU has made all the difference. “I can’t imagine not staying here, how hectic it would have been,” explains Ali, who now spends all day, every day at the hospital. “The House has been our ‘home-away-from-home.’” In just two short months, little Lula has undergone four surgeries. However, she’s also made remarkable progress and it won’t be long before the Hellebusch family brings their new baby girl home to Washington. “Now I get to hold her every day,” beams Ali. “I feel so lucky and blessed.”
New pa ren daughte ts Bill and Ali He r, Lula, fo r the fir llebusch hold their st time in Janua ry 2012 .