The Johnson Family

Kristie, Mack, Jaden, Gabi, Elli and Isabella

Kristie Johnson was surprised when she got a call following a routine pregnancy checkup telling her to got to the hospital immediately. “I had been having some unusual pains. It was pretty uncomfortable, but I didn’t think it was anything too unusual. When I got to the hospital I learned I had developed HELLP syndrome, a very serious condition that affects the blood, blood pressure and liver. When the doctors saw my results they said they had to do a C-section, giving birth is the main treatment for HELLP syndrome, but I was only 27 weeks along. I told my doctor it was too early. She looked at me and said, ‘If we don’t take the baby now you’ll probably both die.’”

Isabelle was born on August 26 weighing 1 pound 6.6 ounces and 12 inches long. Because of the emergency C-section, Kristie wasn’t able to meet Izzy until the next day. “It was scary,” Kristie remembers, “There were so many times I thought I would lose her during those first weeks. My biggest fear was losing her and not being here.” Miraculously, some of Izzy’s most serious complications seemed to heal themselves, and she slowly started getting stronger. “She’s spunky,” says Kristi proudly. “Izzy has pulled out chest tubes and kicks at the nurses. We all laugh, but spunk is definitely needed in the NICU (newborn intensive care unit). She’s clearly going to be a fighter.”

“I’ve worked really hard to stay positive during this whole situation but I don’t think I would have made it without the Ronald McDonald House,” says Kristie. “We live in Vanwert, almost an hour away. Without the Ronald McDonald House, I would have stayed in Izzy’s room and I wouldn’t have been able to shower. I can also have my other three children with me, and they love being in the Ronald McDonald House!  They get snacks and toys from the comfort cart, play on the computer and get spoiled by the staff and volunteers.  The Ronald McDonald House has been my saving grace. This isn’t just a place to stay and a place to eat, it’s about making you feel like you’re at home. In the Ronald McDonald House, you’re not alone, we’re a family here.”

After a month in the hospital, Kristie was driving downtown when she remembers thinking her car was acting odd and maybe she needed an alignment. Kristie didn’t need an alignment, her tire had blown out and she was in an accident. She doesn’t remember too much more until she woke up in the emergency department. “My head was completely split open,” Kristie remembers, “and I had a large gash on my arm. Thankfully, that was the worst of it and no one else was injured. My first thought was to call the Ronald McDonald House. Someone immediately came down to be with me; they sat with me and rubbed my hand until my husband arrived. They asked if I needed anything else, and I said please check on my baby. She did. She went to the NICU and sat with Izzy. They didn’t have to do that, but that’s what they do.”

“Everyone here has made me feel really loved. It’s more than helping people out. It’s about love, it’s about compassion, it’s about family. You guys are like angels. God put you here, He made this place possible because He knew people like me would need you.”