The Begining!!

The Begining!!!!!

We found out on September 25, 2009 that we were going to have a baby born with a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. We were very scared and nervous and wasn't quiet sure what to expect. We were told that the baby would have to be born at UVA Medical Center in Charlottesville, VA. On October 1st we had an appointment at UVA for a ultrasound. We were very scared and not sure what the doctors would tell us. The doctors informed us that the baby was going to be born with a hole in his diaphragm. The hole would allow his stomach and intestines to come up threw the hole and push on the baby's lungs. The baby's lungs would not be able to develop as well a a normal baby's would. The baby would have to have a tube down its throat to help the baby breathe. They would do surgery on the baby 3 to 10 days after it is born to fix the hole and put everything back were its suppose to be. The doctors gave us all the facts and told us that there is no guarantee. We knew that it was going to be a very long and rough road ahead but we were going to stay positive and have faith. We received a lot of information that scared us and made us very nervous but we also were informed that we were going to have a baby BOY! We are going to have a son and he is going to be an amazing young man! We chose to name him Nathaniel because it meant "Given by God" and we knew that he is our gift and we were blessed. We have had many doctors appointments since then and many ultrasounds and he is growing and doing as well as can be expected. They are going to induce me on February 4. Nate will have to remain in the NICU until he will be able to breathe on his own. We have faith that God will take good care of him and he is going to be okay. Nate is making his mark early in life so God must have a special purpose in mind for him.















Friday, February 19, 2010

Our tough BOY!!!!!


Nate before surgery!


Nate's incission and his chest tube


Our tough boy!

Well, surgery went well yesterday. We walked him down to the OR at 7:15 and told him encouraging words and kissed him goodbye and told him we see him later. He did very well during surgery. They made an incision under his rib cage and started the repair. Dr. Kane said that Nate did have hardly any diaphragm and that they had to use a goretex patch and sew it to what was left of the diaphragm and to his rib cage. They were able to fit everything back down in his abdomen even though it was a tight fit. There were NO tares in the liver, spleen or stomach the surgeons did a wonderful job. They put in a chest tube on his left side so that all the air that is now up there can escape. His left lung in small its about half the size of his right lung. The surgery took about 3 hours. Now he just has to recover and start weening. He has a very long road ahead and there can be many complication with CDH so please keep Nate in your prayers. We appreciate all the prayers he has received. He is our tough boy and he is putting up a wonderful fight!

Posted by at

3 comments:

  1. AnonymousFebruary 19, 2010 at 12:19 PM

    Lindsey and Phil: That is wonderful news! I am sure everyone is relieved that the surgery is over and he is ready to move on to the recovery phase! He is such a strong little boy and I have no doubt that things will only move forward in a positive way. Hopefully, Leslie and I will be able to come down next Friday to see you all - that is the plan at this point. Keep up the good work - you both are great parents - and take care of yourselves also. Love you both, Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownFebruary 19, 2010 at 10:06 PM

    Wonderful News!! God is Good!!
    We are so thankful - Loving you all and lifting you up daily. Your family is so precious to us!
    The Killens

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownFebruary 20, 2010 at 3:07 PM

    What a tough little guy! He is adorable. We continue to keep you guys in our prayers!
    Cindy and Hailey Akers

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)