All is quiet and well, which is always a good thing! Despite a small respiratory illness, Noah has been pretty healthy over the last month! We are cautiously optimistic that the c-diff and colitis issues are a thing of the past. He continues to do well in school and we had his annual IEP meeting a few weeks ago. He has displayed good growth over the school year despite his hospitalizations. We are continually amazed at the changes in him since he's been in this preschool program! His teacher still has some concerns in a few areas, one being his gross motor skills. He has very little core strength and very low muscle tone. They are recommending he start PT again and will he will most likely receive PT weekly during the next school year. They have also been observing that learning is very difficult for him. He has a very hard time with memorization, colors, number, letters, etc. Learning in general is a struggle. Based on these and other issues, he will continue on in the special needs program next school year and not mainstream into a community preschool. We love the program and strongly feel that the one-on-one learning environment is good for him. Although we would have loved to hear that he was ready to be mainstreamed, we are confidant this is the best decision for him.
In terms of feeding, he is actually doing awesome. The Neurontin continues to manage his visceral pain and as a result, his oral intake stays pretty steady (minus times of illness). Despite his efforts, he still isn't gaining any weight. Over the past year, he has slowly been backing down the growth chart. We've manged to get back what he lost with the past hospitalizations, but he is still on a truckload of calories (from the g-tube and food boosting), yet gaining nothing. His surgeon isn't sure if it's an absorption issue or metabolism issue. We will be heading up to U of M for a little CDH "maintenance" in the next few weeks and hope to meet with the dietitians to discuss some any ideas they might have. He is still on 10 hours of night time feeds and small tube feeds during the day and averages about 200 cal orally per meal.
Zane and Elliot are doing great! Zane's baseball team is unstoppable this year and he is playing great! He is still doing awesome in school and already anxious for middle school next year (gulp). He asked me tonight if he could start wearing cologne?? This from the boy who battles over taking a shower? I am wondering why the change, but something tells me it isn't for Mom...I am so not ready for this. Elliot doesn't stop from the second he wakes up till the second he goes to bed. He is always moving, talking (yelling), eating, and mostly getting into trouble. He has mastered the art of getting himself out of trouble with spontaneous displays of affection and dropping a few "I luff you's" when he knows he's done something wrong. They learn so early don't they?
That's about it from us! I never mind it boring!! Thanks for checking in on us!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
CDH Awareness Day - March 31st
Each year we have tried to plan some event or collect donations for RMD in honor of CDH Awareness Day, but this year with Noah being sick these last few months, and time simply getting away from me, we haven't planned anything. Many families are sharing their child's personal journey during this time and I couldn't think of a better way to get the word out then this. It was, after all, someone else's story that helped us so very much at the beginning of ours...
After having a miscarriage 4 months before becoming pregnant again, we found out very early into this pregnancy that we were once again expecting. There was an extreme level of fear and anxiety as the weeks passed, praying to make it to the second trimester. On Dec 15th, 2006, at 15 weeks pregnant, we had an ultrasound that would forever change our lives. We were told that our baby had a possible diaphragmatic hernia and that it appeared that his stomach was in his chest cavity and his heart was pushed to the right. As many that are first diagnosed, we had never heard of CDH. We were referred to a specialist two hours away, but it was Friday and we would not be seen until Monday. Immediately, I went to the Internet and spent the first of many, many days, waiting for more answers as to what was wrong with our baby, whom we named that very weekend, Noah. We traveled to the specialist on Monday who confirmed our biggest fear with a level III ultrasound that our baby did indeed have a congenital diaphragmatic hernia. At this time, because it was so early, it was difficult to tell the severity of the defect and there were still more questions than answers. We learned that this defect affects 1 in 2500 babies, that the cause is unknown, and the most sobering fact that currently the survival rate was only 50%. CDH occurs when there is a defect or hole in the diaphragm allowing abdominal organs to float into the chest and severely restrict the growth and proper development of the lungs. We were told by this same Dr that CDH is sometimes part of a syndrome and that an amnio should be done immediately to rule this out and get a better feel for any other issues he might have. We were told that more follow up and testing would need to be done closer to 25 weeks and were sent on our way to wait for the results of the amnio. Another grueling 3 days and countless tearful prayers, we were told that Noah had no chromosome abnormalities. Our first victory. I will never forget that phone call...from that point on, we talked to who ever would listen, we sent hundreds of emails to surgeons all over the country, and began talking with other families affected by CDH. We did the only thing that we could at that point for our baby, arming ourselves with knowledge. We set up appts with three different hospitals in consideration of finding the best place for Noah's delivery. By this point we knew that babies born with CDH were incredibly sick at birth, many of which needed ECMO, a heart-lung bypass machine and could possibly endure a hospitalization of up two 3 months or more. The Dr's from the first hospital we went to told us that based on the test results Noah had a less than 2% chance of survival and he may possibly not even be offered treatment at all. Broken hearted, we spoke with another hospital that told us about the same news. Our third and final trip was to Ann Arbor Michigan at Mott Children's hospital. We were told at that time they see up to 25 babies each year with this diagnosis and have around a 65-80% survival rate. Based on testing here, they thought Noah had an excellent chance. This was it, this was were Noah would be born. Aside from close monitoring, I had a very uneventful and easy pregnancy. Finally a month before my due date, we moved into the Ronald Mcdonald House to wait for his arrival. It was crucial that I not go into labor at home, as it would be difficult if not impossible to transfer him to U of M in time. On June 7th, 2007, Noah was born, full term via c-secion at 8lbs 10oz. We heard him cry almost right away, which was music to our ears,because we were told he would not be able to cry due to his small lungs. This was our first sign of hope. He was immediately placed on a ventilator and after 24 hours in the NICU we were told that due to severe pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs) he was in very bad shape and would need ECMO immediately. Soon after, he was cannualated and put on bypass to let his heart and lungs rest. He remained on ECMO for 7 days. On his 14th day of life he had his diaphragm repair surgery in which they removed his stomach, spleen, intestines, and part of his liver from his chest cavity and put back into his abdominal cavity. They repaired his diaphragm and we were told that due to the amount of organs developing in his chest, it left very little room for his lungs to grow and develop. Not only were his lungs small, but they did not develop properly. The air sacs and blood vessels were not what they should be. The repair surgery itself, was probably the smallest part of his actual recovery. We were finally able to hold him for the very first time when he was three weeks old. He remained on a ventilator for 27 days until he was able to breathe on his own. After 6 weeks, he came home for the very first time...The day we thought may never come. Words can't even begin to describe this day.
So many CDH kiddos have feeding problems for a combination of reasons. Due to Noah's prolonged intubation, improper development of digestive organs and various other reasons, he still has issues with eating and remains about 75% tube fed. Since his initial discharge from birth he has been back in the hospital for several other surgeries and numerous illnesses both CDH and non-cdh related. He is delayed developmentally due his many hospitalization and surgeries, but is catching up each day. He has overcome so many obstacles and is growing, thriving, and bursting with personality as a happy, almost, 4-year-old.
The experience has forever changed our lives and there are hardly words for the emotions that have come along with this journey. The families that have come into our lives as a result are some of the greatest people we have ever met. I think there comes a point, maybe somewhere in a hospital waiting room, when you are sitting next to others sharing the same nightmare, that words are no longer necessary, and bonds that last a lifetime are formed. We have been abundantly blessed with a steady stream of support from our family and friends. I mean this wholeheartedly when I say, we couldn't have gotten through this without you. We hope that through Noah's story, we can reach other families affected or newly diagnosed with CDH. We hope to be a sounding board and support system along the way. As I said before, it was the stories and support of others that led us along the way and forever grateful. We are so very thankful that God chose us to be Noah's parents and that He has carried him through, hopefully, the most difficult years of his life. There are so many people behind his care over the years, his amazing surgeon, and his surgeons nurse, our OB and his staff, the countless therapists both here at home and at the feeding clinic, as well as his dr's and specialists. Along with all the other families fighting to spread awareness about this defect, we hope that some day there will be more funds for research that will ultimately lead to a cure. We hope that until then that families diagnosed will not feel alone, but will know of others out there, and be strengthened by their stories and be aware of all their options, including second (third, fourth, etc) opinions.
In honor of all the CDH kids both here and in heaven, please help to show your support on Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Day by wearing turquoise on March 31st and tell just one person why. Thank you again for all of your love, prayers, and support!!
After having a miscarriage 4 months before becoming pregnant again, we found out very early into this pregnancy that we were once again expecting. There was an extreme level of fear and anxiety as the weeks passed, praying to make it to the second trimester. On Dec 15th, 2006, at 15 weeks pregnant, we had an ultrasound that would forever change our lives. We were told that our baby had a possible diaphragmatic hernia and that it appeared that his stomach was in his chest cavity and his heart was pushed to the right. As many that are first diagnosed, we had never heard of CDH. We were referred to a specialist two hours away, but it was Friday and we would not be seen until Monday. Immediately, I went to the Internet and spent the first of many, many days, waiting for more answers as to what was wrong with our baby, whom we named that very weekend, Noah. We traveled to the specialist on Monday who confirmed our biggest fear with a level III ultrasound that our baby did indeed have a congenital diaphragmatic hernia. At this time, because it was so early, it was difficult to tell the severity of the defect and there were still more questions than answers. We learned that this defect affects 1 in 2500 babies, that the cause is unknown, and the most sobering fact that currently the survival rate was only 50%. CDH occurs when there is a defect or hole in the diaphragm allowing abdominal organs to float into the chest and severely restrict the growth and proper development of the lungs. We were told by this same Dr that CDH is sometimes part of a syndrome and that an amnio should be done immediately to rule this out and get a better feel for any other issues he might have. We were told that more follow up and testing would need to be done closer to 25 weeks and were sent on our way to wait for the results of the amnio. Another grueling 3 days and countless tearful prayers, we were told that Noah had no chromosome abnormalities. Our first victory. I will never forget that phone call...from that point on, we talked to who ever would listen, we sent hundreds of emails to surgeons all over the country, and began talking with other families affected by CDH. We did the only thing that we could at that point for our baby, arming ourselves with knowledge. We set up appts with three different hospitals in consideration of finding the best place for Noah's delivery. By this point we knew that babies born with CDH were incredibly sick at birth, many of which needed ECMO, a heart-lung bypass machine and could possibly endure a hospitalization of up two 3 months or more. The Dr's from the first hospital we went to told us that based on the test results Noah had a less than 2% chance of survival and he may possibly not even be offered treatment at all. Broken hearted, we spoke with another hospital that told us about the same news. Our third and final trip was to Ann Arbor Michigan at Mott Children's hospital. We were told at that time they see up to 25 babies each year with this diagnosis and have around a 65-80% survival rate. Based on testing here, they thought Noah had an excellent chance. This was it, this was were Noah would be born. Aside from close monitoring, I had a very uneventful and easy pregnancy. Finally a month before my due date, we moved into the Ronald Mcdonald House to wait for his arrival. It was crucial that I not go into labor at home, as it would be difficult if not impossible to transfer him to U of M in time. On June 7th, 2007, Noah was born, full term via c-secion at 8lbs 10oz. We heard him cry almost right away, which was music to our ears,because we were told he would not be able to cry due to his small lungs. This was our first sign of hope. He was immediately placed on a ventilator and after 24 hours in the NICU we were told that due to severe pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs) he was in very bad shape and would need ECMO immediately. Soon after, he was cannualated and put on bypass to let his heart and lungs rest. He remained on ECMO for 7 days. On his 14th day of life he had his diaphragm repair surgery in which they removed his stomach, spleen, intestines, and part of his liver from his chest cavity and put back into his abdominal cavity. They repaired his diaphragm and we were told that due to the amount of organs developing in his chest, it left very little room for his lungs to grow and develop. Not only were his lungs small, but they did not develop properly. The air sacs and blood vessels were not what they should be. The repair surgery itself, was probably the smallest part of his actual recovery. We were finally able to hold him for the very first time when he was three weeks old. He remained on a ventilator for 27 days until he was able to breathe on his own. After 6 weeks, he came home for the very first time...The day we thought may never come. Words can't even begin to describe this day.
So many CDH kiddos have feeding problems for a combination of reasons. Due to Noah's prolonged intubation, improper development of digestive organs and various other reasons, he still has issues with eating and remains about 75% tube fed. Since his initial discharge from birth he has been back in the hospital for several other surgeries and numerous illnesses both CDH and non-cdh related. He is delayed developmentally due his many hospitalization and surgeries, but is catching up each day. He has overcome so many obstacles and is growing, thriving, and bursting with personality as a happy, almost, 4-year-old.
The experience has forever changed our lives and there are hardly words for the emotions that have come along with this journey. The families that have come into our lives as a result are some of the greatest people we have ever met. I think there comes a point, maybe somewhere in a hospital waiting room, when you are sitting next to others sharing the same nightmare, that words are no longer necessary, and bonds that last a lifetime are formed. We have been abundantly blessed with a steady stream of support from our family and friends. I mean this wholeheartedly when I say, we couldn't have gotten through this without you. We hope that through Noah's story, we can reach other families affected or newly diagnosed with CDH. We hope to be a sounding board and support system along the way. As I said before, it was the stories and support of others that led us along the way and forever grateful. We are so very thankful that God chose us to be Noah's parents and that He has carried him through, hopefully, the most difficult years of his life. There are so many people behind his care over the years, his amazing surgeon, and his surgeons nurse, our OB and his staff, the countless therapists both here at home and at the feeding clinic, as well as his dr's and specialists. Along with all the other families fighting to spread awareness about this defect, we hope that some day there will be more funds for research that will ultimately lead to a cure. We hope that until then that families diagnosed will not feel alone, but will know of others out there, and be strengthened by their stories and be aware of all their options, including second (third, fourth, etc) opinions.
In honor of all the CDH kids both here and in heaven, please help to show your support on Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Day by wearing turquoise on March 31st and tell just one person why. Thank you again for all of your love, prayers, and support!!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Blog slackin' again!
Noah did make it home after his 10-day hospital admission. I didn't even realize that I hadn't updated the blog! He has been improving greatly since then. Upon his return home, he was getting 14 doses of medication daily but he has now been switched over to a pulsing dose of Vancomyacin that he gets only every other day. The colitis/c-diff symptoms are well controlled and I hope to get a negative culture back from him in the next week. We followed up with Pulmonary and due to the damage to his lungs from the RSV, they recommended we increase the amount of inhaled steroids and keep him out of school for at least the next month to avoid another illness. We understand illness in inevitable, but the longer we can keep it at bay, the better! This will just give him a good chance to recover and get his strength back. We haven't seen any respiratory issues since he came home and hopefully we can keep it that way for awhile. It's hard to tell if the c-diff will rear it's ugly head again. We have been told that multiple recurrences of it may indicate future problems, but it's really hard to say. He will continue the antibiotics for several more weeks so hopefully it will be eradicated. Time will tell. There is something to be said for a healthy colon!
Zane and Elliot are doing great. Zane had baseball tryouts this weekend and I will be attending his middle school orientation this week. That's a little hard for me to stomach at this point, but I suppose I should get used to the idea sooner or later!
More later and pictures too!
Zane and Elliot are doing great. Zane had baseball tryouts this weekend and I will be attending his middle school orientation this week. That's a little hard for me to stomach at this point, but I suppose I should get used to the idea sooner or later!
More later and pictures too!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Elliot's 2nd Birthday
Today is Elliot's 2nd birthday!! My little man is two! It hardly seems possible. I have been reflecting on our posts from the week he was born and in the NICU and it blows my mind that it was two years ago!! He has grown into a rough and tumble, short and stocky, brilliantly mischievous, playful and happy little boy (and incredibly handsome I might add!).
This is the 2nd year that Elliot's birthday party was planned and had to be rescheduled because of illness. I am sure he will remember this in years to come and I am going to owe him big time! I think Grandma just might be spoiling him a little today, and Brian will make sure there is some birthday fun even though we will be celebrating again when Noah and I get home.
I also wanted to say how grateful I am for our family and all that they have done for us through all of the illnesses, feeding clinics, and hospitalizations over the past 4 years. I am so very, very grateful for all they have done for us!! We never could have done any of this without you!!
The doctors are saying that even if everything goes perfectly the soonest we will get to come home is early next week. They are putting plans in place for going home, but have said "he still has quite a bit of work to do here first". Given that, Brian is coming up tomorrow and we will be switching out for a few days so I can go home and see Zane and Elliot. It's going to be hard to leave Noah, but now that he is feeling better, I need to go see the boys. I am missing them like crazy!!!
This is the 2nd year that Elliot's birthday party was planned and had to be rescheduled because of illness. I am sure he will remember this in years to come and I am going to owe him big time! I think Grandma just might be spoiling him a little today, and Brian will make sure there is some birthday fun even though we will be celebrating again when Noah and I get home.
I also wanted to say how grateful I am for our family and all that they have done for us through all of the illnesses, feeding clinics, and hospitalizations over the past 4 years. I am so very, very grateful for all they have done for us!! We never could have done any of this without you!!
The doctors are saying that even if everything goes perfectly the soonest we will get to come home is early next week. They are putting plans in place for going home, but have said "he still has quite a bit of work to do here first". Given that, Brian is coming up tomorrow and we will be switching out for a few days so I can go home and see Zane and Elliot. It's going to be hard to leave Noah, but now that he is feeling better, I need to go see the boys. I am missing them like crazy!!!
Trial off oxygen
They have been trialing Noah off oxygen since yesterday and he mseems to be doing pretty well. He is working really hard in terms of breathing but keeping his saturations up. His lungs still sound bad, but are showing improvement daily.
In terms of the c-diff/colitis, they attempted to start him on some slow feeds last night and it wasn't long before he was retching and very uncomfortable. They stopped the feeds and put his tube to drain and let him sleep through the night comfortably. They are going to attempt to restart feeds today at a much slower rate to see how he does. They c-diff symptoms are still there, and if they don't improve in a day or so, they may have to come up with an alternative plan. This seems to be a particularly resistant strain of c-diff so we know it's not going to be easy to get rid of. He is has had it since before Christmas. There has only been about a week during this time that he went withought symptoms.
Although we still have a ways to go, I am thrilled at the improvement and it's so great to see him smile again!!!
In terms of the c-diff/colitis, they attempted to start him on some slow feeds last night and it wasn't long before he was retching and very uncomfortable. They stopped the feeds and put his tube to drain and let him sleep through the night comfortably. They are going to attempt to restart feeds today at a much slower rate to see how he does. They c-diff symptoms are still there, and if they don't improve in a day or so, they may have to come up with an alternative plan. This seems to be a particularly resistant strain of c-diff so we know it's not going to be easy to get rid of. He is has had it since before Christmas. There has only been about a week during this time that he went withought symptoms.
Although we still have a ways to go, I am thrilled at the improvement and it's so great to see him smile again!!!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
RSV is slowly improving
Finally, a much needed restful night for Noah. His cough is subsiding and giving him some peace and quiet. He still has a ways to go in terms of breathing but it is definatly improving. It is so nice to see him restful!!!
Will update more later!
Will update more later!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Bad night...
Noah certainly gave the docs a run for their money last night...He continues to have respiratory issues due to the RSV. Last evening he kepts having what we think were major bronchospasms and kept dropping is saturations. They were going to move him over to ICU but the pulmonary team came to look at him and increased his oxygen and switched him over to longer acting bronchodialator as well as gave him a narcotic to help him calm down and rest. He was able to recover from the incident and was not moved to ICU. They are not especially wanting to supress the cough for fear it will turn into a pneumonia, but the nonstop coughing is just too much for him. His respirations are still in the 60's at rest. The dr's keep telling me that the RSV will peak and then slowly improve, so we are all hoping that last night was the peak.
As for the c-diff, he is still being treated with the same regimen of IV Flagyl and oral Vancomyacin. He will come home with a picc line so that we can finish the IV Flagyl. When that course is complete they will continue a pulsing course of Vanc, where he is given a dose every 3 days for up to 6 weeks. His belly x-rays look better but he is still having diarrhea and lots of belly pain. For now he is still on the TPN, but the docs are hoping to start feeds sometime soon. It's hard to tell exactly where we are with eradicating the c-diff until the RSV improves.
Brian is at home with Elliot and Zane. Elliot came down with RSV as well (or we presume since they started symptoms on the same day). He is doing okay, but will see the Dr this morning to be checked over. He is also doing breathing treatments and struggling with high fevers. Zane (knocking on wood..) is healthy for now and should probably soak up the quiet time before his brothers are terrorizing him again! Which I hope is soon!!
As for the c-diff, he is still being treated with the same regimen of IV Flagyl and oral Vancomyacin. He will come home with a picc line so that we can finish the IV Flagyl. When that course is complete they will continue a pulsing course of Vanc, where he is given a dose every 3 days for up to 6 weeks. His belly x-rays look better but he is still having diarrhea and lots of belly pain. For now he is still on the TPN, but the docs are hoping to start feeds sometime soon. It's hard to tell exactly where we are with eradicating the c-diff until the RSV improves.
Brian is at home with Elliot and Zane. Elliot came down with RSV as well (or we presume since they started symptoms on the same day). He is doing okay, but will see the Dr this morning to be checked over. He is also doing breathing treatments and struggling with high fevers. Zane (knocking on wood..) is healthy for now and should probably soak up the quiet time before his brothers are terrorizing him again! Which I hope is soon!!
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