Watch Natalie's Interview from the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Elmhurst Hospital.
Note to Readers: The interview this blog is based on with Natalie and Marcellus was conducted at a recent alumni event for families with kids who had graduated from the NICU at Elmhurst Hospital and used the Ronald McDonald Family Room during the time in the hospital. The interview lasted about 35 minutes. When it began, Mom was multi-tasking, feeding her son from a bottle and answering all the questions thrown at her. By the end of the interview, Marcellus had fallen fast asleep on his back facing the camera without a care in the world. A fleet of garbage trucks could have come through and rescued all the trash in NYC and that boy still wouldn’t have budged.
Just to start you off with a visual as you read.
The Story of Mom and Marcellus
At NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where every beep from a machine holds weight, and each medical update tugs at the heartstrings of worried parents, one new mother, Natalie found herself navigating an emotional whirlwind. Her son, Marcellus, had been born prematurely and was fighting for his life. Caught in a storm of uncertainty and hope, Natalie discovered an unexpected sanctuary that would become her refuge—the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Elmhurst.
This story is about a baby boy stronger than all of us combined, a mother who would go to the end of the Earth for him, and the vital role of a particular community when it’s needed most. It's about how, in the most challenging of times, Natalie and Marcellus found not only medical care but also emotional sustenance and comfort from the support systems around them—including the Ronald McDonald Family Room and its dedicated staff.
A Fragile Beginning: Marcellus’s Battle in the NICU
Marcellus entered the world too soon, and his early days were marked by intense medical intervention. Born after Natalie’s water broke prematurely, he spent two and a half months at the Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst NICU. Like many premature babies, Marcellus faced a range of health complications, including a severe condition called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a life-threatening infection in his intestines. Natalie described these early days as a blur of worry, stress, and waiting for answers.
Thanks to Roberta, a NICU night nurse, Marcellus was transferred to see a specialist at Mount Sinai. The doctor identified the problem and within 24 hours, he underwent surgery to correct an intestinal blockage, the beginning of many surgeries.
Over the next few months, Marcellus endured four major surgeries—an ostomy bag was placed, reattachment of his intestines was performed, and repairs were made to his stomach fascia. Each procedure brought its own challenges, but Natalie’s son proved to be stronger than anyone could have imagined. Despite everything, Marcellus continued to grow and develop, his little body fighting back against the odds.
Natalie, now a first-time mother at 42, found herself clinging to every bit of hope she could. For her, the advice of the NICU staff to “take it one day at a time” became her mantra. In those darkest moments, when it seemed like her son’s future was uncertain, focusing on the present was her only way forward. She learned to celebrate the small victories, from his first smile to his first steps.
The Discovery of the Ronald McDonald Family Room
At first, Natalie didn’t even realize that the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Elmhurst was available to her. As she focused solely on Marcellus’s well-being, she would pass by the Family Room without giving it much thought. It wasn’t until her mother pointed it out, and a staff member named Feng offered her food and drinks, that she realized it was a place she could turn to.
The Family Room became a lifeline. For Natalie, who was struggling with breastfeeding and the immense emotional toll of watching her son fight to live every day, it provided a space to step away—if only for a few moments—and recharge. It was here she could grab a snack, sit quietly, and take a break from the medical jargon and constant vigilance required in the NICU.
Small acts of kindness from the staff, like offering her a hot meal after a long day, left a lasting impact. Natalie remembered one evening when, after an exhausting day at the hospital, the Family Room staff brought her dinner. It was a simple gesture, but it made her feel cared for and supported in a way she desperately needed. The physical space of the Family Room offered much-needed respite, but the emotional support was even more profound.
A Community of Support
The NICU can be an isolating place for families. Watching your child fight for their life, surrounded by machines and medical staff, can make you feel like you're living in a different world from everyone else. But in the Ronald McDonald Family Room, Natalie found a community of parents who were facing similar struggles. There was a shared understanding of the fear, uncertainty, and hope that come with having a child in the NICU.
One of the things that stood out to Natalie was how the NICU nurses treated Marcellus. While most babies in the NICU were referred to by their mothers’ last names, the nurses knew Marcellus by his first name. This personal connection made all the difference for Natalie, who often had to leave Marcellus in their care when he was undergoing treatments or procedures. She expressed her gratitude to the nurses by bringing them treats, recognizing their tireless dedication to caring for her son when she couldn’t.
A Christmas to Remember
Through all of the stress and uncertainty, there were moments of unexpected joy, and one such moment came during the Christmas season. Natalie had always been the aunt who went all out for the holidays, showering her nieces and nephews with gifts and making Christmas a magical time. But this year was different. With Marcellus in the NICU, she didn’t have time to shop for presents or get caught up in the usual holiday festivities.
Enter Jen and Feng from the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Elmhurst, who secretly took it upon themselves to bring the Christmas spirit to Natalie. They surprised her with beautifully wrapped gifts to take to her family, ensuring that even during everything, her loved ones would still get to experience Auntie Natalie’s holiday magic. The thoughtful gesture touched her deeply, serving as a reminder that even in the hardest of times, kindness and joy could still find their way into her life.
Marcellus: A Bright, Active Little Dude
At nine months old, Marcellus has made incredible progress. Natalie describes him as athletic and adventurous—always on the move, exploring his world with boundless curiosity. He loves to jump off laps, hold hands, and charm everyone he meets with his sweet, personable nature. The boy who once fought so hard for his life in the NICU is now a thriving, energetic baby, eager to take on whatever comes his way.
Marcellus’s name holds special meaning for Natalie. While she was on bed rest during her pregnancy, she watched the show The Vampire Diaries and its spinoff The Originals. The name "Marcellus" belonged to a character in the show who, despite being born into hardship, rose to greatness through his resilience and strength. The name felt right for Natalie’s son, who had shown so much courage from the moment he was born.
The Power of the Ronald McDonald Family Room
For families like Natalie’s, the Ronald McDonald Family Room at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst offers more than just a place to rest. It provides an essential support system that helps parents cope with the intense stress of having a child in the NICU. The room is a space where parents can take a breath, step away from the hospital environment for a moment, and recharge. It’s a place where they can handle practical matters, like paying bills, or simply sit and enjoy a quiet snack.
But more than that, the Family Room offers emotional support. The staff members, like Jen and Feng, go out of their way to provide small comforts, whether it’s a cup of juice, a laugh, or a holiday surprise. These acts of kindness make an immeasurable difference to families.
For Natalie, the Family Room became a sanctuary—a place where she could take a breath during her son’s medical journey. As Marcellus continues to grow and face future surgeries, Natalie knows that the Ronald McDonald Family Room will be there for them, offering the same care, compassion, and community that helped them through the first time.
A Message for NICU Families
Natalie’s advice for parents going through similar experiences in the NICU is simple but powerful: take things one day at a time and give yourself grace. The journey is long, and there will be moments of doubt and fear, but the support of a community like the one provided by the Ronald McDonald Family Room can make all the difference.
Whether it’s a small gesture of kindness from a staff member, a moment of laughter shared with another parent, or the simple relief of sitting down with a cup of coffee, the Family Room offers more than just a place to rest. It provides families with the strength to keep going, even when the road ahead seems uncertain.
And as Natalie reflects on her time in the NICU with Marcellus, she remains grateful for the care and support she received. The Ronald McDonald Family Room wasn’t just a place to take a break—it was a lifeline, a place where she found comfort, community, and hope in the middle of one of the most difficult times of her life.
A Healthy and Happy NICU Alumni Event
Recently, Natalie and Marcellus returned to the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Elmhurst Hospital for a NICU alumni event. This time, however, the atmosphere was one of celebration and joy. Joined by Marcellus' grandmother, they were greeted by familiar faces, both staff and families who had shared in their NICU journey. It felt like a reunion in every sense of the word.
Elmhurst NICU Alumni Event Photo Gallery
The room buzzed with activity. A colorful lunch spread including Feng’s world-renowned juices welcomed the families, while everyone dove into creative activities like sand art, letting their imaginations run wild. The mothers especially enjoyed the aroma therapy creations, a soothing experience that reminded them of the moment of relaxation the family room had been in the middle of all the excitement. Watching Marcellus play, healthy and happy, was a testament to how far they had come. The day was filled with laughter, shared stories, and reconnections with families they hadn’t seen in months.
For Natalie, it was more than just a reunion—it was a reminder of the strength and resilience that had carried them through. Seeing the staff again, who had provided so much care and compassion, filled her with gratitude. And as Marcellus happily explored, it was clear that while their time in the NICU had shaped them, moments like these marked the start of new, brighter chapters in their journey.
More families just like Natalie and Marcellus need our help to survive the NICU and return home with a healthy and happy little one. Ronald McDonald Family Room at Elmhurst eases the burden of the caregiver to make sure that they can focus on the only thing that matters: their kid.
