Let's Start at the Very Beginning...

On September 15th, Katy and Andy found out that Baby Jacob has a life-threatening condition called Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH). CDH is a very serious condition in which a hole in the diaphragm allows abdominal organs to move into the chest restricting lung development. In Jacob's case, his liver is also squishing his heart and displacing other organs. CDH occurs in about 1 out of every 3,000 pregnancies and has a mortality rate of 50%. To make matters more complicated, Jacob has Right-Sided CDH which only occurs in about 10% of CDH cases and is typically more severe. They are so blessed to have found this out when they did, or Baby Jacob would have surely died at birth.

They will be delivering at UW Hospital in Seattle and later transferred to Seattle Children’s. Thank you to everyone who has already begun praying, and everyone who will now. Baby Jacob is blessed to have all of you thinking and praying for him.

Happy Birthday, Baby Jacob!

From Andy:

Oct 25, 2011 -Baby Jacob graced us with his presence this morning @ 9:32 am. He is 6lbs 13oz, his length is yet to be determined due to lines, tubes, etc. Katy followed the usual routine, water breaking around 6:15am, a few pushes after transition, and delivery. She is a miraculous laborer. Jacob came to us unable to breathe on his own. 
He was immediately whisked away to the NICU to undergo intubation of the ventilator which is giving him life. After 3 hours of stabilization procedures Jacob and I transferred to Seattle Children's Hospital NICU. 

He is undergoing a echocardiogram to examine his heart function and is receiving a PICC line to allow medication to go directly to his heart. X-rays show his bowels are definitely up in his cheat cavity. They are unsure if his liver is there too. His left lung is believed to be 100%, but the condition of his right is still unknown. Katy will overnight University of Washington Medical Center, but should be able to get over here to see Jacob. Our plan now is to just monitor and love him.  
Thankfully, I am able to hold his little feet & fingers, and rub his cute little face, chest/tummy, legs and arms. Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart. I LOVE MY NEW BABY JACOB! Thank you everyone for your support, love, and prayers. We thank you...Jacob thanks you! Pictures to come soon!!!

The NICU

Daddy and Baby Jacob





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4 comments:

  1. Lisa SpenceOctober 25, 2011 at 9:48 PM

    Congratulations! Thrilled that he is here and you get to touch him and stare at him. I remember the mixed emotions of the first few days of Madelyn's life - so happy to have her but so scared to lose her.

    We are praying for you all.

    ReplyDelete
  2. CalleyO'HarraOctober 25, 2011 at 11:54 PM

    Hello my name is calley O'Harra and I went through the same thing you guys are experiencing 9 months ago.Our son fionnegan was born with cdh on his right side just like your little Jacob. His bowels and liver were up there and his left lung was fine. I am so overwhelmed with the feelings that you are going through at this moment but you are in the best hands you could be in. I would have love to help you in anyway I can,if its a home cooked meal, a hug or a story. If there's something I can do I will be there.
    Calley O'Harra
    425-870-3695
    Have faith and keep your head up.

    ReplyDelete
  3. BonnieOctober 26, 2011 at 5:18 AM

    Congrats!! Glad to hear of the smooth delivery and transfer to NICU. Please keep us updated!

    Bonnie
    Mom to LCDH survivor Elijah
    fortunatefate.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Jennifer TenneyOctober 26, 2011 at 6:04 AM

    Congratulations! I too am the mom to a right-sided CDH survivor! My Dakota (who is now almost 3 years old and completely healthy *knock on wood*) had her bowels and about 40% of her liver in her chest. She was also born more than 7 weeks early. I will be praying for a Jacob - for a smooth recovery and for good days ahead! Many, many prayers!!!
    Hugs,
    Jennifer
    Mom to Dakota 12-25-2008
    RCDH survivor
    jennifertrafton@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete

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