Melfort,
Saskatchewan
58 Nights
Stayed
Summer 2025 did not go the way we expected. We had planned to have a fun summer with our “big kids” (Aleasa- 11 yrs old and Jordie- 9 yrs old) before our twins would be born in mid to late September. We had a fun Canada Day, but the next morning I (Dawn) had to rush into Melfort hospital with placenta previa issues. I was then transferred to JPCH and admitted to their prenatal unit. From July 2- July 18 my husband Ron and the kids drove back and forth 3 hours each day nearly every day to visit. They ate fast food all the time and the kids had way too much screen time! They wanted to see their mom, but the hospital isn’t exactly the most exciting place to spend hours on end.
On July 18 I was stable enough to leave the hospital, but the doctors didn’t want me going back home and being so far from the hospital. I needed to stay in Saskatoon. That was when I first heard of the Ronald McDonald House. I was told I could go there, rather than staying in hotels every night somewhere in the city. I had heard of Ronald McDonald House previously, but I truly had no idea who they were for or what they offered. I assumed it was just for me (like the hospital) and that the rest of the family would need to continue traveling back and forth. I was so thankful and relieved to learn that the whole purpose of Ronald McDonald House is to keep families together!
I’m not sure what I was expecting the RMH to be like, but it far exceeded any expectations I had. We were welcomed by friendly and helpful staff, given a tour, and when we first walked into the room we’d be staying in, it immediately felt like home. It was just so nice to be able to all be together again!
My joy was short lived as only 4 days later I had to return back to JPCH with more complications. We thought this might mean that Ron and the kids would need to leave the RMH, but the staff assured them they were welcome to stay. I ended up needing to remain in the hospital until our girls were born, but Ron and the kids went on to have such a wonderful summer at the Ronald McDonald House! There were many activities for the kids to enjoy- even a kids care program so Ron and I could spend some time together just the 2 of us. They met other families who were there for the summer as well. Our kids soon made friends with other children and they looked forward to playing with them every day. The families we met there will always hold a special place in our hearts. It was such a blessing to have breakfasts provided and they looked forward to the evenings that the Home for Dinner program was on. It all just helped ease the unusual circumstances of not having mom around who usually does all the cooking! Saturday morning bingo was also a huge hit. The kids refused to miss it! Because of all that the Ronald McDonald House provided, our kids will not look back at this summer as the worst ever. It was different, but it was great.
On August 29 the twins were born and a few days later I was finally able to enjoy the RMH again! It was SO nice to be out of the hospital and back to a home like atmosphere. Having some meals provided (and delicious baking) was such a blessing while recovering from a c section and trying to spend as much time as possible at the NICU with the babies. The staff were so kind, caring and helpful. It all made those difficult weeks a bit easier.
When I arrived at the NICU on Sept 14, I learned our girls were being transferred to Prince Albert’s NICU. It all happened very quickly. We ended up leaving the Ronald McDonald House in a rush and were sad to not be able to say goodbye to some of the families we had gotten to know, but we certainly left with a great amount of gratitude for the Ronald McDonald House and the staff for what a blessing they were to our family during our most unplanned for summer!
Since Prince Albert is only a 50 minute drive from our home (and there’s no Ronald McDonald House there yet) I drove back and forth to the NICU every day for the next 17 days until the girls were discharged. I did visit the Ronald McDonald House room in the NICU often and also the larger room on the Pediatric floor several times too. It was really nice to be able to grab some snacks, baking, or some premade meals to heat up. Every little thing helps when your days are stretched thin with traveling, visiting the babies, pumping around the clock, and caring for the rest of your family too. Having a Ronald McDonald House there will be such an asset to NICU families when it is completed!
I hope we won’t need to stay at either Ronald McDonald House again, but it’s comforting to know that it’s there if we ever do!
