We were excited to find out the sex of our baby. We both wanted a boy, but really just wanted a healthy baby. Excited of course, waiting in the room looking at the monitor, while the technician scanning Melissa stomach for 2-3 minutes suddenly stop. She pointed at the screen and asked us what does that look like. We of course thrilled, it’s a BOY! She then stated it's not 100 %, but it seems likely its boy. I just knew it was a boy no matter what she said after that. Melissa had a doctor appointment that following Tuesday with her OBGYN that will confirmed the sex of the baby. I still had a gut instinct that it was a boy, but at the same time didn't want to tell people until the second appointment. I told Melissa to invite her mother to the doctor appointment, and I will head to work that day. I told Melissa just text me ASAP when she confirms it's a boy.
June 16, 2009
It was after 3:00pm, I text Melissa so what??? Boy right and she replied it’s a boy BUT he might be sick......Talking to her on the phone few minutes later, she stated that the baby has a hole in his stomach, 2 out of 3 vessels cords and one kidney. Her OBYGN recommended us to a new OBYGN that specializes in birth defects.June 19, 2009
We went to our new OBGYN Dr. Adam that has dealt with patients having CDH babies. While waiting in the lobby, Melissa received a phone call from her previous OBGYN nurse. The nurse told her that the test she took that day (June 16, 2009) came positive for spinal bifida. We were pretty emotionally numb about the news but then it seemed that everything was wrong with Joshua. I had so much hope to meet Dr. Adam to give us some hope. Dr. Adam confirmed that he had Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. She also stated that he might have a certain syndrome that is causing all the abnormalities. The spinal bifida wasn't 100% , but can be confirm by a Amniocentesis test. Dr. Adam told us that abortion is an option if the test came positive for spinal bifida and the syndrome causing all the abnormalities. At that point we couldn't’t believe that abortion was even brought up as a option. Melissa agree to take the test, but it was a risk for a miscarriage. Looking at the monitor while the needle being inserted in the sack, I saw Joshua moving away from the tip of the needle. Dr. Adam said the results will come in next week and that will confirm any other chromosomes abnormalities.
• Amniocentesis test came out negative for any syndromes, chromosome abnormalities or spinal bifida
More appointments to follow....
September 9, 2009
- Cardiologist: gave us good news on the heart, she said it's working properly but still being compress towards his ribcage. She again can't promise us anything, because it’s still considered very severe. .
- Surgeon gave us an update on the condition of the baby, and told us he only has 50 % of survival (10% complications, 40% not surviving at all) He also stated that Joshua might have a certain syndrome that cannot be determine by tests. The only way to determine the syndrome is by his facial features. He also stated Joshua might have other organs that might be abnormal but can't verify until the day of delivery. The minimum time Joshua will be at the Hospital is 6 weeks and the maximum 9 months. The surgeon did tell us that every case is different and not to worry about the numbers that much. The ECMO machine will be at stand by, in case Joshua can't produce his own oxygen.
- Dr.Adams told us that Joshua Head to Ratio dropped from 1.6 to 1.2. It wasnt looking good; the only good news that day was he was gaining weight at a regular rate. She reminded us to have hope, and that every baby is different.
- Texas Children Hospital Tour: We visited the NICU were Joshua will be staying for some weeks.
