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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
Todd and Trish,
ReplyDeleteGreat Thanksgiving pictures. I follow your blog on a regular basis. Our best to you and Noah.
Nancy and Craig
I am so glad your Thanksgiving was mellow. It was great seeing your mom and dad in the pictures. Know you loved them being there. It was so good to see all of you in the pictures. Sorry Noah is still seizing but will continue to keep you all in my prayers. My Sunday School class asks about him each week and has him in their prayers as well. Its hard to believe Christmas is just around the corner. Let me hear from you.
ReplyDeleteLove you all,
Ramona LaFavor
I love the new pictures! Your family is beautiful! I keep you guys and your sweet baby Noah in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful photos. I'm so glad your mom and dad were there for a visit. I miss you so much, I wish I could just reach through the computer and hug ya!
ReplyDeleteLove the new pics!! Glad that your Turkey Day went smoothly and so glad your mom and dad were there with you! Sending lots of love and prayers!
ReplyDeleteStaci
These are lovely pictures of all of you. Your dad is thinner and MUCH grayer than when we last saw him. I especially liked the picture of the three of you an the last picture of you and Noah. I notice a familiar looking object on the chair back, the baby afghan that I made for Noah before he was born. I am glad that y'all have been able to make use of it.
ReplyDeleteI pray for a Christmas miracle for Noah--that his special diet will begin to work for him.
Love, Aunt Janet