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August 12, 2007—3rd Birthday picture |
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Andrew, 33 months old and a
boy genius who claims |
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Andrew's Second Birthday!!! |
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Andrew's First Birthday!!! |
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Andrew Charles |
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My son Andrew was a very wonderful surprise. My husband and I had tried for many years to have a second child (my daughter is 13 years old). I was so happy!!! I had my beautiful daughter and now I was going to have a son.
At 16 weeks, the sonographer took a little longer than she usually did and my doctor had a serious look on his face when I routinely went into his office to chat before I left. He had told me that he made an appointment with a pediatric cardiologist and he could see me right now.
I still did not think that anything serious was going on. I thought that the baby had a murmur like me and that was it. I went to the cardiologist and he told me that my son has HLHS and he explained my options. I did nothing but cry for the first few hours until I could get my head together and research. There was no way that I was giving up without a fight. God sent this baby to me after all these years.
I found that Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was rated number one in the country and that is where I wanted to be. They had surgeons that have done the procedures many times. I planned to give birth in Philadelphia and on August 12th, 2004 Andrew Charles came out kicking and screaming. He was a bit early (6 weeks). His lungs were not expanding and he needed medication. I consider myself lucky to have known about Andrew's condition. I saw many babies arrive very sick.
Andrew had open heart surgery at 4 days old. Dr. Spray, all the cardiologist as well as the nurses were wonderful. I spent a month in Philadelphia and experienced many bad days, many ups and downs. We left with an NG tube but my son ripped it out after one week at home and I never replaced it because he did great without it. I kept Andrew out of the malls and away from anyone that had a sniffle. I know that it is crucial to try and keep him healthy from the first to the second surgery.
We had the most wonderful Christmas ever. Andrew is going to be six months tomorrow and we are awaiting a catheterization so that we can do the next procedure. His saturations are in the low 80's. I have not been able to sleep at night knowing that I have to hand him over for surgery soon. I love him so much, we all do! I know that I have to have faith, but it is just so scary. My daughter is 13 years old and has been so healthy, God Bless her!
I have never had to experience something so hard in my life. Andrew is trying to sit up on his own. He is so tiny. He has had a bit of a hard time packing on the pounds but he has been gaining not losing. He battles acid reflux. We are so lucky to have great doctors, from the pediatric cardiologist to the gastro doctor to the pediatrician. Everyone works so well together.
I feel that diagnosis in utero is so crucial, it gives parents the opportunity to research and plan. don't get me wrong, you are never prepared to go through seeing your baby on ventilators or all the wires and an open chest. My son's chest was left open for 20 hours after surgery due to some bleeding, I could not go in and see him like that. I was beating myself up for not being able to do it, meanwhile, my whole family went in, but I could not.
I love my son more than anything, he gives me joy everyday. I remember this one time when I had a rough day and he threw up on every shirt that fit me. I had him on his changing table and I put my head down on his belly and cried and he was hitting me in the head and cooing and I just picked my head up to see his smile that lights up his whole face and I felt so much better, he makes me laugh, he makes us all laugh. I could never imagine life without him.
This has been so hard but worth every tear and all the exhaustion. Andrew's smile can erase any memory of a bad day. To all those parents out there that have children with CHD, hang in there, you know it's worth it!!! Keep spreading the word that CHD awareness is important. I am happy to say that the Governor of New York has proclaimed February 14, 2005 CHD awareness day!!
