so I thought I'd post some current-ish pictures.
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"Life has meaning only in the struggle. Triumph or defeat is in the hands of the Gods... So let us celebrate the struggle!" -Swahili Warrior Song
Noah and Mommy
Our Story
Noah was diagnosed with a sacrococcygeal teratoma at our 20 week sonogram. We had no idea what that meant and thanks to google we quickly learned WAY too much about them. It's a tumor originating from the tailbone. One referral turned into another and in a whirlwind we found ourselves in Philadelphia at Children's Hospital. After a day of tests we met with an amazing surgeon who recommended we stay there and let them monitor our son and his tumor. We flew back to KS, packed our car, grabbed our dog, and moved to Philly.
Twenty-seven weeks into my pregnancy Noah's tumor had increased in size, had a very rich blood supply, and started to put him into heart failure. They decided to deliver Noah to save his life. They saved him indeed. We spent the next 88 days in the NICU. We got there at 7 am and left at 11 pm everyday. We watched him undergo two more surgeries to remove the rest of the tumor including a part which had migrated into his spinal canal. We watched him intubated, CPAP'd, brady (all the time!), live in an incubator, grow, get blood transfusions, have multiple IVs, and so many other things you just never want your child to endure. He fought every step of the way like a champ (he is much stronger than I) and finally we were discharged! Life started for us. We moved to a new town, met new people, watched Noah thrive. He started getting PT and OT to help him catch up (he was three months early therefore three months behind when referring to his development and milestones). We found out he had a hearing impairment and CVI, but he is so strong. His feet don't move but his legs do. This summer he started having seizures. He was diagnosed with Infantile Spasms. It's a form of epilepsy which is considered catastrophic. I believe it. This is a story of our battle. This will be a story of triumph.
The Sweitzers
Noah
Before Seizures
After 2 months of Prednisone
Doctors and Therapists
Noah's Docs:
Dr. A : Our hero and Noah's surgeon
Dr. L : Neurologist
Dr. S : Neurosurgeon for spinal canal tumor resection
Dr. K : NeuroOncologist to stay on "Tumor Watch"
Dr. M: Opthamologist
Dr. R : ENT
Dr. Z : Geneticists
Dr. C : Urologist for his "Neurogenic" Bladder
Dr. Ped: Pediatrician
Dr. F: Neonatologist who tracks Noah's development
Ms A: Audiologist
Dr. Chiro: Noah's newest addition: Chiropractor
Queen of Keto: Leader of Noah's Ketogenic Diet Team
Therapy:
Ms PT: Physical therapy 2 hours a week
Ms OT: Occupational therapy 1 hour a week
Vision Guy: Vision therapy 1 hour a week
Girl-it is SOOOOO good to hear from you- thank you for posting on my blog...now I can keep up with yall!! I went back and read like ALL of your posts...you are one strong woman and Noah is a FIGHTER! I think about yall often, love and miss you! Take care and keep in touch.
ReplyDeleteWe will be wrapping up in our "Noah's Ark" blanket as soon as the weather down her permits!