I have a friend whose little girl was born with gastrochisis. She had an extremely severe case, and they weren't very confident that she would live, or even eat during her lifetime if she did (at 24 weeks, after they discovered the severity, the doctor recommended termination). Well, her daughter has beaten the odds and is surviving. Her and her mother are both warriors. Baby D is still vomiting or poopsplosioning two to three times a night because she just doesn't digest or retain food well. I'm not sure how her mother does it; she is truly an amazing person, and still tries to see the best in everything.... all while wrangling FOUR other children and a new business.
Baby D is still receiving the majority of her nutrients through TPN, and routinely goes for additional special intraveinous nutrients at the hospital to keep her vitamins and minerals up. She's also been in multiple times for infections, and once for sepsis. Her poor little immune system.
Tomorrow, she will be in surgery (again) for the STEP procedure. They're basically going to disconnect her digestive system (again), and "sew" her bowel in a zig-zag in order to bring down the circumference and increase the length to give her better absorption from the food she takes in. Then she'll have to stay in hospital for a few months while her digestive system heals, and will have to have another surgery to reconnect everything after the fact.
I am in tears. They're such amazing people. Baby D is only 18 months old, and has to be in surgery again, twice. I couldn't imagine having to take my baby in for this kind of surgery... and then to have to deny her food for such a long period of time while her body heals. I am truly heartbroken for them, but hope that the longterm gain is worth the pain of these surgeries.
If you can spare some good thoughts, or some strong prayers if you're the praying type, it would be much appreciated. I can't express how much Baby D and her mom mean to me, even though we live far away from each other these days. Surgery is scheduled for first thing tomorrow morning. [-O<
(Edited because I x-posted and mentioned a friend from another BMB when I didn't mean to)
Definitely lots o thoughts and positivity heading their way. I couldn't imagine having to go through that with my LO. It takes VERY special and strong people to be able to go through all of that while still maintaining sanity and a smile. Much respect to her and her family. She's lucky to have a friend like you who cares so much!
Sending good vibes their way! Based on how that story started I thought baby d was only a few weeks or months old. She's one lucky little girl to have a mother who fights so hard for her and has done so much to keep her strong! They deserve their happy ending!
They're at the big hospital in Calgary. Apparently, if you have gastrochisis, the two places in Canada you want to be are Calgary and Toronto, so they were lucky that the town they live in is only 4 hours away.
They're at the big hospital in Calgary. Apparently, if you have gastrochisis, the two places in Canada you want to be are Calgary and Toronto, so they were lucky that the town they live in is only 4 hours away.
What are they going to do while she is in the hospital recovering from the surgery? Do you have the equivalent a Ronald McDonald's House in Canada? Has your group of friends put together a hospital survival package for them?
Yes, she lived in RMDH for eight months after Baby D was born, and I think she has plans to stay there again while she recovers from this surgery, although, realistically I think she spends 95% of her time sleeping on the bench in the hospital room.
We still have many friends in Calgary (we both went to university there), so we have a group of friends that help out and visit with her almost every day.
Do you have any recommendations for something that might be a nice surprise while she's there? I'm sure she's well organized for essentials and packed for a long stay, but sometimes it's nice just to receive something unexpected....
How heartbreaking. Sending many positive thoughts to your friend and baby.
ME:46 MH:44 DE IVF 2014
Met with RE 4/11.
2 IUI's BFN. DE best option. Switched clinics to do
"shared" program.
Had to retake all tests and a mamm that put me behind and then on a DE waiting list for 12 months.
Picked a donor!! (10/13/13) Got matched. Estimated transfer in December. After 2.5 years of patiently waiting I will finally cycle....can hardly believe it. DE cycle got cancelled. One of her tests came back positive. Waiting for another donor. Donor picked!! (1/18/14)
DE IVF #1 (4/26) BFN DE FET #1 (6/4) BFP! Beta 1=339 Beta 2=852 Beta 3=9957 EDD 2/22/15!!
-------------------------------
Sarah, 35 bumping from NE Ohio
Married my love 4/22/2006
DD born 10/12/2009
DS born sleeping 2/23/2013 full trisomy 18
Baby 3 due 2/13/2015 }
Wow! What a strong family to stay sane through all of that. I am so heartbroken baby D has to have another surgery but hope it goes well. Good thoughts and vibes their way.
Wow, what a strong and brave mama and baby. My thoughts and prayer will be with them tomorrow. Hope every goes well and she has a smooth and fast recovery. She has already beaten many odds!
As soon as I saw you, I knew an adventure was going to happen - Winnie the Pooh Married 8/22/09 Pregnancy 1- EDD 11/21/10 NMC @ 6 weeks Pregnancy 2 - Rainbow DS born 1/15/11 Pregnancy 3 - EDD 5/2/14 NMC @ 6 weeks 9/4/13 Pregnancy 4 - EDD 6/11/14 BO @ 9 weeks D&C 11/8/13 AF arrived 12/18/13 BENCH IS BURNED 2/2014 TTA until May/June WOW!!! I'm pregnant!!! BFP 6/8/14 Rainbow on the way EDD 2/14/15
If there ever comes a day where we can't be together, keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever - Winnie the Pooh
I truly am at a loss. My words seem so feeble. My thoughts are just burdened with the enormity of the weight this mother and father are bearing. Please know that they will be earnestly prayed for tonight.... And since I've been having pregnancy insomnia, it may just be an all-night-prayer kinda thing. Thank you for sharing her story. What a privilege it is to be able to pray for them. Please keep us updated on baby D.
I hope the surgery went well and that Baby D is comfortable and that her mom, dad, and siblings are remaining positive ( although, it sounds like they have always been).
Thank you everyone! Surgery started at 6am this morning, and will go to 2:30 this afternoon. I'm on edge until we know how things go... will keep you all updated.
Thank you for all your well-wishes. If there's anything I know, it's that positive thought does affect outcomes, and it means a lot to have so many people pulling for her.
Oh my gosh - that is heartbreaking. It sounds like you're a great support for your friend. Hopefully Baby D's surgery goes well and she won't need more in the future. Lots of positive thoughts for a good outcome.
Baby D is out of surgery. At the time of her birth, she only had 30cm of bowel. When they went in to do the surgery today, her bowel had lengthened to 90cm, and after the procedure, she's up to 150cm of bowel!
They think she may actually be able to eat for nutrition, and may not have to be on TPN her whole life. I am so, so happy and excited for them, even though there is a long road ahead for her recovery.
Thank you everybody for your kind thoughts and words. It makes such a difference in these difficult situations. I have tears of relief in my eyes (and that's huge, because I'm usually a stone cold biatch).
Re: Good Thoughts for my Friend (semi-long) *UPDATED IN COMMENTS*
January Siggy Challenge:
Being able to get out of bed on the first try
BFP #2 11/6/13 - EDD 7/14/14 - blighted ovum discovered @ 7w - natural m/c @ 10w3d
BFP #3 5/25/14 - EDD 2/1/15 - Hoping this is our 2nd little owl
A/S findings: Baby is a girl! EIF found on heart but maternit21 came back neg for chromosome disorders!!
____________________________________________________________
TTC 10+ | Stage 4 Endometriosis
3 Laparscopy's
BFP - 06.15.2014
EDD - 02.16.2015
Married to Lee since 9/2/2000
Momma to Hais November 2002 and Carter April 2010 (with use of fertility treatments)
Cancer Survivor
Monster Truck (It's a GIRL!) is due 19/02/2015!
IVF#1 - BFP 6/18/13 - Tommy born sleeping 10/1/13
IVF#2 - BFN
IVF#3 - BFP 6/5/14 EDD 2/14/15 TWIN BOYS - MATTHEW AND TIMOTHY ARRIVE 12/2/14
We still have many friends in Calgary (we both went to university there), so we have a group of friends that help out and visit with her almost every day.
Do you have any recommendations for something that might be a nice surprise while she's there? I'm sure she's well organized for essentials and packed for a long stay, but sometimes it's nice just to receive something unexpected....
Monster Truck (It's a GIRL!) is due 19/02/2015!
ME:46 MH:44 DE IVF 2014
Met with RE 4/11. 2 IUI's BFN. DE best option. Switched clinics to do "shared" program. Had to retake all tests and a mamm that put me behind and then on a DE waiting list for 12 months. Picked a donor!! (10/13/13) Got matched. Estimated transfer in December. After 2.5 years of patiently waiting I will finally cycle....can hardly believe it. DE cycle got cancelled. One of her tests came back positive. Waiting for another donor. Donor picked!! (1/18/14)
DE IVF #1 (4/26) BFN DE FET #1 (6/4) BFP! Beta 1=339 Beta 2=852 Beta 3=9957 EDD 2/22/15!!
Sarah, 35 bumping from NE Ohio
Married my love 4/22/2006
DD born 10/12/2009
DS born sleeping 2/23/2013 full trisomy 18
Baby 3 due 2/13/2015
}
BFP 6/15/14 EDD: 2/24/15
BFP #2: m/c at 7w, February, 2014
BFP #3: It's a BOY! Please be our rainbow! Due February, 2015
*everyone always welcome*
As soon as I saw you, I knew an adventure was going to happen - Winnie the Pooh
Married 8/22/09
Pregnancy 1- EDD 11/21/10 NMC @ 6 weeks
Pregnancy 2 - Rainbow DS born 1/15/11
Pregnancy 3 - EDD 5/2/14 NMC @ 6 weeks 9/4/13
Pregnancy 4 - EDD 6/11/14 BO @ 9 weeks D&C 11/8/13
AF arrived 12/18/13
BENCH IS BURNED 2/2014
TTA until May/June
WOW!!! I'm pregnant!!! BFP 6/8/14 Rainbow on the way EDD 2/14/15
Winnie the Pooh
DS - Born 6/17/12
DS#2 - Due 2/11/15
Thank you for all your well-wishes. If there's anything I know, it's that positive thought does affect outcomes, and it means a lot to have so many people pulling for her.
Monster Truck (It's a GIRL!) is due 19/02/2015!
all the positive thoughts coming her way.
Baby D is out of surgery. At the time of her birth, she only had 30cm of bowel. When they went in to do the surgery today, her bowel had lengthened to 90cm, and after the procedure, she's up to 150cm of bowel!
They think she may actually be able to eat for nutrition, and may not have to be on TPN her whole life. I am so, so happy and excited for them, even though there is a long road ahead for her recovery.
Thank you everybody for your kind thoughts and words. It makes such a difference in these difficult situations. I have tears of relief in my eyes (and that's huge, because I'm usually a stone cold biatch).
Monster Truck (It's a GIRL!) is due 19/02/2015!
IVF#1 - BFP 6/18/13 - Tommy born sleeping 10/1/13
IVF#2 - BFN
IVF#3 - BFP 6/5/14 EDD 2/14/15 TWIN BOYS - MATTHEW AND TIMOTHY ARRIVE 12/2/14
____________________________________________________________
TTC 10+ | Stage 4 Endometriosis
3 Laparscopy's
BFP - 06.15.2014
EDD - 02.16.2015