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BROOKE PALUBICKI
Brooke Palubicki
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It was six years ago that Brad and Lacey Palubicki of Argonne anxiously
awaited the arrival of their first child. And like most new parents, they
thought about names and whose features the baby would have. They also talked
about their child’s future and providing the best of everything for their new
addition. Little did they know, that having the best possible medical care
nearby would be the most crucial of all their plans. It was on May 29 that
their daughter, Brooke, would enter the world weighing a meager one pound, ten
ounces. She was only 12 3/4 inches long. At only 24 weeks gestation (the
normal being 40), Brooke had to be immediately intubated and her family was
informed of her extremely critical condition.
It was soon determined that Brooke had a grade three intraventricular brain
hemorrhage. She also needed to have a reservoir put in her head to help with
hydrocephalus. Following a battery of x-rays, tests and ultrasounds, Brooke
was finally discharged on August 13, 1999, weighing 4 lbs., 15 oz.
Nineteen days following her discharge, Brooke was re-admitted back to the
Hospital so that a shunt could be placed in her head. She was in the hospital
for nine days. It was around this time that Brooke began having seizures.
While most new parents are taking their infant to visit family and on shopping
trips, the Palubicki’s spent a majority of their time traveling between
Argonne and Marshfield for numerous follow-up appointments, tests and
admissions into the Hospital.
In March 2004, after having high fevers and vomiting, Brooke was admitted to
the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Saint Joseph’s Hospital under the care of
Dr. Rebecca Campbell, Neurologist and Dr. John Neal, Neurosurgeon. Brooke
would need to undergo a shunt replacement. Because of complications, Brooke
was kept in the PICU and on April 1 she went back to surgery for another
revision. Finally on May 13, following numerous surgical procedures and 2˝
months in the Hospital, Brooke was able to go home.
Because Brooke’s surgeries were so extensive and she spent many days in bed,
she was unable to walk even a few steps. Within the past year, Brooke has had
to endure many hours of physical, occupational and speech therapy. According
to Tracy Rohr, Child Life Specialist, Brooke has come a long way. “I remember
taking Brooke to the waterfall on the Pediatric Unit,” shares Tracy. “She
wanted to drop money into the wishing well and she couldn’t even get her hand
to open to drop her coins. Seeing her running, playing and laughing today is a
real miracle”
Tracy also shares that Brooke’s family has played a major part in her
recovery. “Brooke’s parents and her support system are wonderful.”
“Any one of Brooke’s events – prematurity, hemorrhage, hydrocephalus, shunt
infection – could have had a profound neurologic injury for most kids,” says
Dr. Campbell. “Brooke’s story is truly amazing.”
Brooke’s mom, Lacey, says that Brooke is a true gift from God. We would agree.
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