Calling all BDW Members...Help me get my baby girl home! Updated: We're home!!

I actually thought about this - it does seem like some story you'd see on the local news, right? One of those "stories of interest" type of things. But 1) I just don't know who I'd contact, and 2) I have very little time during the day to be on the phone. Every 3 hours I get about an hour or two break, and that's usually spent eating or taking care of admin stuff. Like right now, I am sitting in the hospital cafeteria!

If someone wants to take that on and try to contact media - I'm all for it! I am soooo not good at asking for help (this is probably reason #3 why I haven't done this yet). I can ask for ideas, and encouragement, but not for people to actually do things for me. I've been a lot better throughout this whole ordeal, I've had to be. And I try to put myself in others' shoes - if any of you, or a friend of mine was in this situation, I'd totally WANT to help. So that's what I am trying to remember.

Ok, I'm babbling, and need some lunch ... Paul and I have started making our own today to save more $$ and we're a little sick of the hospital food. Yay for PB&J!

What part of CA are you in? And what is your hometown? I work in PR, I might be able to find the right people and draft a pitch letter.

I know we'd love to find a newscrew that would help you out. People love to help babies & it's the story a news team would love to cover.

And you are right- we do want to help so ask away. Even if it's something specific like "will someone call these 5 RV places & get quotes." There is bound to be someone on the forum with some time to kill at that time who would love to help you out.

BDW is here for whatever you need. You know we love to google stuff.

What town are you in? That way people can start looking up the local stations.

OMG! I just signed on and saw all of this!

I am thinking Amtrak or something might be the best option after the RV. This way you don't have to worry about driving or stopping or anything.

I am in Walnut Creek, CA (that's where the hospital, John Muir, is) - our hotel is Pleasant Hill, CA.

So if anyone really does take up this idea (please don't feel obligated!), I do want to point out a few things so this doesn't get out of hand! lol I am so afraid of asking for help, that I wanted to make sure to tell an accurate story.

Honestly, Paul and I can afford the train, the RV, the commercial airline tickets (we also have lots of miles) - I don't want this to come across as a plea for money. Ya know? Granted, neither of us are working right now, and since we are paid hourly, we have had no income for about a month now! Yikes! But we are good savers, and should be fine. Assuming Paul can get back to work in the near future!

Anyway, so I don't want to lead people to believe we're in financial trouble. We're definitely spending more on this whole ordeal than we planned, but we're ok so far.

My fear/struggle/concern is getting Gwen home safely. Commercial flying just doesn't seem like an option, I don't feel confident enough to go against doctors' orders here. Any other option would take a lot longer, and we'd be driving through some BFE places. But I think that's just what we have to plan for; this is RV, rental car, etc. The train means we don't have to do the driving, but will there be medical help if needed?

With the RV and train, at least we'd be able to move around, change her, feed her, and have access to a fridge/freezer for breastmilk (I'd still be pumping). Oh, and I'd like the space to pump (and the electrical hookup).

Honestly, odds are that she will be fine. But if something DID happen, would we have access to medical attention?

Anyway, that's kind of where we stand.

Also, I realized that not everyone may have the back story ... here it is! http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t21453

Right now our top options are Trisha's amazing offer, and the train. The 'ideal' option would be to have a medical transfer via plane I think - but that's so spendy. We likely don't need the medical transfer, she should be stable to fly, but I'm not willing to take that chance!

her pic in the dress is so cute. she has a lot of hair already too.

Ann, I don't mind doing all the leg work for you in terms of calling/e-mailing TV stations. However, before I sell the story, I need to know if the hospital would allow a TV crew inside to film baby Gwen. Most of the time the answer is no but under these circumstances I think they may budge. Could you ask the admin staff if its possible. Otherwise, I think it would be tough for a TV station to wanna cover it since we are a VISUAL medium and need all the pictures we can get.

Thanks!

I don't have any new ideas, but I just logged in and saw this thread! I'll be thinking of you guys, and if there is anything I can do, let me know!

any updates?!

I'd say get the word out, get the stations interested and then see if the hospital will allow it. Ann and Paul could always do an interview right outside the hospital. Not to mention, the hospital might be ok with it, since it'll be really good PR for them...seeing how Gwen is doing so good.

I'm actually in the process of digging up the right contacts at the local NBC for where they are in CA and where they live in MN. I also drafted a letter to email to the stations. Ann is more than welcome to post it if she wants.